A Therapy Cat for My Cat?
July 24, 2015 11:40 AM Subscribe
My sweet geriatric (14.5 years old) kitty Lulu is experience an indeterminate health crisis that is causing her a lot of anxiety and I'm looking for ways to ease it.
She seems to have experienced a dramatic and sudden decline in visual, balance, and cognitive functioning. Her eyes are physically fine (retinas attached, no cataracts), her blood pressure is good and blood work is good too.
As the vet tries to figure out what may be going on I'm trying to figure out ways to reduce her anxiety. She's on some medication and I have feliway diffusers and that seems to have helped reduce her anxiety a bit, but she's still doing a lot of pacing and unhappy meowing.
Are there other products I should look into or specific things I can do to help her feel more at ease and possibly adapt to her new situation?
She seems to have experienced a dramatic and sudden decline in visual, balance, and cognitive functioning. Her eyes are physically fine (retinas attached, no cataracts), her blood pressure is good and blood work is good too.
As the vet tries to figure out what may be going on I'm trying to figure out ways to reduce her anxiety. She's on some medication and I have feliway diffusers and that seems to have helped reduce her anxiety a bit, but she's still doing a lot of pacing and unhappy meowing.
Are there other products I should look into or specific things I can do to help her feel more at ease and possibly adapt to her new situation?
Lots of lap time, reassurance, food bowl always full.
posted by serena15221 at 1:48 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by serena15221 at 1:48 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Does she pace around in a certain area? Like near a door or a/c or heating vent? If it's by a door, it could be that a new cat has moved into the neighborhood and is spraying near your house. It could be making her feel threatened. If it is a vent, then it could be mice or rats that she smells, and is getting frustrated.
posted by Anoplura at 4:00 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by Anoplura at 4:00 PM on July 24, 2015
Also, does she have favorite hiding spots to retreat to? Perhaps leave out a cardboard box with a towel inside. Have the box open on the side instead of the top and leave it in a low traffic area. My cats tend to hide out in boxes or closets when stressed.
You could also try washing her bed/bedding. It may smell of her recent vet visits or something else she doesn't like.
posted by fozzie_bear at 10:46 PM on July 24, 2015
You could also try washing her bed/bedding. It may smell of her recent vet visits or something else she doesn't like.
posted by fozzie_bear at 10:46 PM on July 24, 2015
Sorry, I keep thinking of other things. You could put butter on the top of her front paws so that she'll lick them and rub her face. This activates the scent glands under the whiskers, the same pheromones that the Feliway mimics. It's supposed to help acclimate the cat to a new environment/chill it out.
posted by fozzie_bear at 10:54 PM on July 24, 2015
posted by fozzie_bear at 10:54 PM on July 24, 2015
I think a new cat would stress her out.
Getting a cat another cat can be like getting a mafia boss a young pushy competitor mafia boss.
Get her a cat heating pad.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:59 AM on July 25, 2015
Getting a cat another cat can be like getting a mafia boss a young pushy competitor mafia boss.
Get her a cat heating pad.
posted by sebastienbailard at 2:59 AM on July 25, 2015
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What medication is she on? My cat takes 0.12ml of Prozac (fluoxetine) for anxiety (urine spraying, pacing.)
My other cat totally chills out to Brian Eno's Music for Airports (really!) Perhaps something like that or some soft classical music? More brushing if she likes that.
Sorry about your kitty. Hope she's feeling better soon.
posted by fozzie_bear at 12:27 PM on July 24, 2015 [1 favorite]