Dogs and cats can learn by association, just like people. The animal or person links two unrelated events or stimuli together. Learning language involves linking a word or sound with various stimuli. Multiple studies have shown that cats and dogs link specific words with actions or outcomes.
talk to your dog or cat – share information with them
This week we said goodbye to my sister’s dog of 10 years. I was thinking back on his life and I recalled an instance when my sister and I went hiking with Bailey. The trailhead was remote and accessed by a dirt road that was drivable but by no means smooth. There were numerous lumpy sections of road where the car shuddered and bounced around a bit. Poor Bailey did not enjoy these sections and crouched down, whimpering when we encountered them.
I realized that we humans could look ahead and tell when the road would become rough and be prepared for it. Bailey in the back of the car couldn’t do this. So, I tried one of the training methods I use with my cats – naming the event and telling Bailey when it was going to happen. I narrated the drive, remarking each time the road deteriorated, “It’s getting bumpy”. After a few bumps, Bailey stopped whimpering and seemed more relaxed as long as I let him know when things were getting rough. We had a great hike and I repeated the road condition narrative on the way home – there was no more whimpering.
Dogs and cats learn by association, just like people. After a few trials, Bailey began to associate the word “bumpy” with the sensation of being jostled around in the car. Knowing what was going to happen helped him to cope with the sensation.
When we arrived at the house, Bailey disappeared briefly, returning with his favorite toy, which he presented to me. This exchange changed my relationship with him. Whenever I would see him afterwards, he seemed to want me to talk to him.
I have taken this to heart – when I am driving one of my cats around in the car, I try to narrate the journey, letting them know when we STOP and GO; when we turn LEFT or RIGHT. If nothing else, it helps keep me focused on driving the car!
I also use this vocabulary with my cats when they are leashed or just in the house – STOP tells them to be still; GO lets them know that they can move; RIGHT and LEFT directs their path (and maybe find that treat I dropped).
So, talk to your dog or cat. Share information with them – it will strengthen your bond.
references
Meyer, Phyllis. “if You Don’t Talk to Your Cat, Who Will?”. August 25, 2024. https://www.felinepurrspective.com/if-you-dont-talk-to-your-cat-who-will
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You did it! You are adopting a cat from the local animal shelter. You’ve bought litter boxes, a soft bed for kitty to sleep in, food and water dishes, and a really cute cat tree. You’re ready – or are you?
From Shelter Cat to House Cat
Imagine being a shelter cat:
“You may have been living in a big field in the country or in an alley in the city and caught in a trap. Or a kind person coaxed you into a carrier with chunks of tuna and brought you to the animal shelter. You are placed in a cage where you can smell and see other cats in cages. But you are fed tasty cat food and have crunchy food to snack on. You have gotten used to living in the shelter – you know the space and the routine.”
When you bring your new feline companion home, they have no idea what is going to happen. You are taking them away from a place that they are familiar with and bringing them to somewhere unknown. Kitty’s first inclination in their new home may be to hide. Here are some ways to ease that transition from shelter cat to house cat.
A Safe place
Cats not only need food, litter boxes and a place to sleep, they also need to feel SAFE to use these resources
Establish a “safe place” for your new feline friend. Choose a room with a door you can close, block off places where your cat can hide (under the bed, behind a bookcase) and you can’t get them. Put all those things you bought – food, litter box, water and cat tree- in that room. Make sure to provide Kitty a hiding place that you can access if needed – a box or cat carrier can work. The “safe place” gives the new cat a base from which to mount explorations of their new home.
A lot of cat communication is by smell.
consider using a pheromone diffuser in the “safe place” to convey messages of calmness and security.
ask the animal shelter if you can have a towel or blanket the cat was using in their kennel OR spray a fleece blanket with a pheromone spray before placing it in the box or carrier.
Cats are individuals – some may be ready to explore their new surroundings right away while others take longer. But even outgoing cats need to spend some time alone. A “safe place” allows the new cat some alone time, time to process the environmental and social changes they are experiencing.
BE PREDICTABLE!
Remember that your new friend may be scared in your home at first. Let them settle in the safe place first. Visit them in the “room of their own” – sit on the floor and see if they come over to greet you for some petting or brushing.
Be predictable – approach your cat in the same way each time. This will help your cat become accustomed to you. Approach Kitty from the side instead of head-on: this is less scary for the cat. Make your visits positive to your new cat – try offering a play session and some snacks!
If Kitty remains in the box or carrier and does not approach you, try a snack or a toy to coax them to come out. Be patient and wait for them to come to you. Avoid having your hand over their head at first – this can startle or scare them. Instead, use a spoon to offer a snack to the cat and see if you can stroke their cheeks while they lick the treat.
From shelter cat to house cat – take your time
A gradual introduction to the new home and people is best for most cats. Pay attention to your cat’s body language – if they seem scared or frightened, allow them to stay in the “safe room”. The time invested in respecting Kitty’s emotional state will build trust.
Gradual, structured introductions to people and other pets work best. At first, bring people in to see Kitty. Go slowly and watch Kitty’s body language to see if the encounter is going well. Wait a few weeks before introducing other pets.
Transitioning from shelter cat to house cat is stressful for many cats. Be patient and respect their emotional state. Set up a “safe place” in your home where they can retreat to in times of stress . Be the predictable human in your cat’s life and take your time introducing your new cat to people and other pets.
references
Meyer, Phyllis. “What Do Cats Need?”, The Feline Purrspective, 02/17/2024. https://www.felinepurrspective.com/what-do-cats-need/
Meyer, Phyllis. “Introducing Cats: A Short Guide”, The Feline Purrspective, 07/10/2022, https://www.felinepurrspective.com/introducing-cats-a-short-guide/
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home, “How to Interact with Your Cat/ The Battersea Way”, 03/08/2022, https://youtu.be/UwqG2wLb0KQ?si=-3UwUpg8h5b8v2jR
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Dental health and your cat’s happiness are linked together. Just like people, cats’ dental health is tied to their overall health. Lack of regular dental care causes pain and tooth loss, and increases the risk of severe systemic infections affecting the heart, liver, and kidneys.
By the time cats are 2 years old, 85% of them have some form of painful dental disease. The most common forms of dental disease in cats include (Reference 1)
gingivitis
periodontitis
tooth resorption
stomatitis
broken teeth.
Dental Health and your cat’s happiness
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is an early stage gum disease caused by bacterial plaque buildup. It presents as tender and red gums – look for a redline where the teeth meet the gums. Treatment: professional teeth cleaning at your vet’s clinic and a home oral care plan ).
Periodontitis
Left untreated, gingivitis becomes periodontitis, a chronic bacterial infection of the tissues supporting the teeth – the gums, the bone forming the tooth socket, and the ligament that holds the tooth in place. The plaque buildup leads to inflammation, irreversible destruction of supporting bone, and eventual tooth loss. Treatment:The plaque, both the visible, pottery-like accretions and that plaque below the gum lines, must be removed during a professional teeth cleaning at your vet’s. Tooth extraction maybe necessary; antibiotics are rarely used in the treatment of periodontitis (Reference 1).
Tooth Resorption
Tooth resorption is a common, painful dental condition. Statistics show that 20-60% of cats suffer from this malady. The cat’s body breaks down and absorbs the tooth and root, starting at the gum line. X-rays are necessary to confirm this, and show us problems both below and above the gumline. Treatment: Extraction of affected teeth (Reference 1).
Stomatitis
Stomatitis is a severe, painful inflammation of the mouth and gums. Thought to be an improper immune response to oral bacteria, affected cats often lose weight and don’t groom themselves well. (Reference 1) Treatment: Treatment typically involves partial or full mouth extractions.
Broken Teeth
If a fracture opens up the root canal, pain and infection can result. Treatment: The affected tooth is usually extracted although a dental specialist can perform a root canal on feline canine teeth (fangs).
Dental health and your cat’s happiness are linked together. Even if your cat continues to eat, they could be suffering pain every day due to dental disease. Cats are masters at hiding pain. Caregivers may or MAY NOT notice jaw chattering, changes in the chewing behavior or connect changes in activity and play behavior to dental pain.
Periodontal disease and tooth resorption in a 2 year old cat. Kitty was happier after all the teeth behind the canines were extracted.
does your cat need those teeth to be happy?
Notice that most treatments for feline dental problems include extractions. While this may seem extreme, many of the options for humans such as filling cavities or implants, either don’t work or are just not practical for your cat.
Here are some questions raised by cat owners faced with extractions for their cat.
Is anesthesia necessary?
YES – Dental cleaning and surgery has to be done under general anesthesia because we use ultrasonic scalers and power drills in addition to hand instruments to clean and remove teeth. Even if the cat were to tolerate having their mouth open for an extended period of time, any small movement of their head could result in injury (Reference 2).
Are dental x-rays necessary?
Dental x-rays allow us to see what is happening above and below the gum line, allowing the veterinarian to determine whether a tooth needs extraction. Like human dentistry, a small film or sensor is needed to capture the images. Most cats will not tolerate having something wedged into their mouths when awake and x-rays must be done under anesthesia.
Will my cat be able to eat dry food after extractions?
YES. Cat’s teeth are different from human teeth: cats are carnivorous and are designed to eat primarily meat. Their teeth are designed to slash and slice; they do not have the flat surfaces that humans and other omnivores have to grind food. They often swallow small pieces of food whole and are able to eat kibble with fewer or no teeth (Reference 3).
Will my cat’s jaw be more prone to fracture after extractions?
After extractions, the tooth roots will not longer be there to stimulate the bone and the bone will recede. The jaw will temporarily be weaker but should stabilize once the bone heals. Leaving diseased teeth in place will result in more severe bone recession than a properly done extraction. The veterinary dentist may use a synthetic, bioactive ceramic bone graft material to fill sockets after tooth extraction, to maintain the jaw near “pre-extraction” height (Reference 3).
Oral surgery can be painful. Be sure to administer all your cat’s pain medication after surgery. If you are having difficulty, ask your vet if there are alternate forms of pain meds.
Dental health and your cat’s happiness are linked together. Treatment of the common dental problems suffered by cats often involves extracting painful teeth. Use of dental tools and the need to take dental x-rays requires the dental cleaning be done under general anesthesia. Most cats are able to eat dry cat food after having teeth extracted and proper dental technique minimizes bone loss in the cat’s jaws. Regular dental cleanings are the key to a healthy and happy life for your cat.
references
Lobprise H Co-Chair, St Denis K Co-Chair, Anderson JG, Hoyer N, Fiani N, Yaroslav J. 2025 FelineVMA feline oral health and dental care guidelines. J Feline Med Surg. 2025 Nov;27(11):1098612X251398793. doi: 10.1177/1098612X251398793. Epub 2025 Nov 29. PMID: 41319038; PMCID: PMC12665832.
The Feline Veterinary Medical Association (FelineVMA) and the Feline Oral Health and Dental Care Guidelines Task Force oppose anesthesia-free dentistry and endorse previously published position statements concerning anesthesia-free dental treatments (2025): https://avdc.org/PDF/Dental_Scaling_Without_Anesthesia.pdf
Rochette J. Avoiding the “no”. Can Vet J. 2011 Dec;52(12):1361-2. PMID: 22654147; PMCID: PMC3215476.
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My family gave me several books this past Christmas, one of which was called The Blanket Cats (Reference 1). This collection of short stories centers around a pet shop that rents cats to people. The cat comes with a carrier, food, litter tray and their blanket. The shop owner stipulates that the blanket MUST remain with the cat and NOT BE WASHED.
Blankets – A Way for Cats to Relax?
When you think about it, most of the advice we receive about having cats seems to make The Blanket Cats unlikely: cats don’t like to to travel, cats are wed to their territory, cats don’t like change…. Can a blanket really help a cat cope with the stress of living with strangers for the 3 day rental period? The blanket has the cat’s scent on it but is this enough to keep the cat from freaking out?
Biscuits and Blankets – A Way for Cats to Relax
You may have watched a cat approach a squishy, fleece blanket. After a cursory sniff, they often will start to knead the soft surface, much like a baker kneading bread dough. You’ll hear people describing this as “making biscuits” – listen closely, you may hear a purr accompanying this activity.
Making biscuits on a squishy fleece blanket takes a cat back to their first few days of life, before their eyes opened, before their senses of hearing and sight developed. Life was centered around the smell and squishy feeling of mama cat’s belly. The biscuit making kitten stimulated their mother’s milk to flow and stimulated the glands near those nipples to exude the scent of safety and security (Cat Appeasing Pheromone).
And as the cat kneads the blanket, they release more pheromones from glands in their paws, marking the blanket as their own.
With a familiar carrier and their blanket, a “Blanket Cat” has a safe place of their own. And the more times a cat travels and spends time at new places successfully, the more relaxed they will be traveling. So, perhaps The Blanket Cats is not so far fetched.
More Thoughts on Blankets as a Way for Cats to Relax
The right blanket and thickness, though, can make all the difference. Although cats like to sit on a variety of blankets, articles of clothing or pillows, the soft, squishy fleece blankets made of “Coral Fleece” offer the perfect platform for making biscuits.
Coral fleece is a plush, lightweight, and synthetic fabric primarily made from high-density polyester, renowned for its intense softness, warmth, and textured, coral-like appearance.
Give your cat a squishy fleece blanket and let them purrsonalize it with their own scent and pheromones. Leave this blanket out for daily practice, but consider putting it in the dreaded carrier for travel – you may even want to warm it up. The gives cats a way to relax when traveling or going to the vet. Consider having more than one blanket to swap out on wash day.
Of course, not only fleece blankets fit the bill – my cat Gus likes to knead a memory foam pillow; I had a cat when I was a child who would make biscuits on crocheted afghans.
In The Trainable Cat (Reference 2), Sarah Ellis lists teaching your cat to relax as one of the nine key skills that form the foundation of training cats. Making biscuits helps your cat relax. Be sure to identify when your cat is relaxed on their blanket with a word such as “easy”, “chill” or “calm”. You may find that your cat will settle down on their blanket when you bring it to them and ask them to be “easy”.
Making biscuits is a self-soothing behavior, a way for cats to relax. In The Blanket Cats, the store owner asks people NOT to wash the blanket, so the cat is reassured not only by the soft squishy sensations but also by their own familiar scent and additional pheromones released by glands in their feet as they knead the blanket.
I offered my cat Miso a fleece blanket at the vet, putting it on the sofa next to me in the exam room. Miso was quick to take advantage of this, jumping up and “making biscuits” while waiting for his exam.
This post was originally published on June 20, 2021. It has been updated to reflect recent trends and changes in animal training.
The other day I was walking with Gus around the pond on the condo property. A neighbor came down the path – Gus approached him with his tail up, in greeting. The neighbor did not reciprocate but instead stopped a few feet away from Gus. Gus sat down and stayed still. The neighbor then walked by and muttered “ typical cat” as he passed by.
The neighbor clearly did not understand the tail up greeting. I wondered what he expected from Gus – was Gus supposed to come over wagging his tail? Gus approached with his tail up in friendly greeting. When the greeting was not returned (the neighbor did not offer his hand or get down on Gus’s level), Gus sat, and tried to figure out where the interaction was going – was it hostile or neutral? It certainly was not friendly.
In the past few decades, cats have increased in popularity as pets. Consequently, cat behavior and cat care have become popular subjects to study. We have learned that cats are social animals and can be trained. The stereotype of the aloof, antisocial cat is starting to change. We are starting to change how we think about cats.
Change how we think about cats
Cats – Mysterious? Aloof?
Indeed, we are more familiar with dogs’ body language than that of cats. People see dogs as more social than cats. Someone getting a puppy will plan to take it places, walk it and play with it.
Kittens often stay at home and don’t venture out into the outside world – we don’t have to walk them; after all they have litter boxes. Once the kitten grows into a cat, people often don’t “play” with her that much – after all she is getting older and seems to sleep most of the time.
Dogs are viewed as more social than cats but recent research reveals that dogs and cats are similar in sociability. Cats are found to spend as much time with people as do dogs and the distribution of sociability in cats is similar to that found with dogs. (Reference 1).
There are some cats and dogs who are very social, spending most of their time with people. There are also cats and dogs in between, spending some of their time with people. At the end of the spectrum, there are cats and dogs who spend little or no time with people (Reference 1).
Cats – social and trainable
In the past few decades, cats have increased in popularity as pets. Consequently, cat behavior and cat care have become popular subjects to study. We have learned that cats are social animals and can be trained. The stereotype of the aloof, antisocial cat is starting to change. We are starting to change how we think about cats.
Dog training is shifting from traditional obedience to a cognitive approach by focusing on the dog’s thought processes, emotions, and problem-solving skills, rather than just rote memorization. This type of interaction is also appropriate for cats.
One way to engage a cat in conscious thought is through words and gestures. Studies have shown that cats recognize their owners’ voices and learn the names of their companion cats. A recent study found that cats associated verbal words with pictures faster than human infants (8-14 months old). Like apes, parrots and dogs, cats can learn human vocabulary (Reference 2).
teaching vocabulary – name & explain (Reference 3)
It is useful for your cat to know the words for the parts of his body, particularly those that may be touched. My cats learned the words “head”, “chin”, “cheeks” and “back” in 2-3 sessions. This exercise engages the cat in conscious thought and can be handy if, say, you’re going to comb the fur on his back. You say “ I want to comb your back”, and wait a few seconds before starting the groom. The cat knows what to expect and is less likely to startle or run away.
If your cat is amenable to being touched, touch the body part and name it. Then start to use the word – if the cat appear to understand, great! If they don’t seem to know it, simply name it again. If you are working with a cat who is leery of being touched, consider using a touch stick and a food reward (see “Teaching Cats How to be Touched“).
A quiet revolution is happening – be part of it. Change how we think about cats. Start a conversation with your cat and the enjoy the company of a companion who is not aloof, not mysterious, not just a sofa ornament but an interactive, thinking animal.
references
Mills, Kim I. (Host). (2024, February). What’s going on inside your cat’s head? With Kristyn Vitale, PhD (No 275), [Audio podcast episode]. In Speaking of Psychology.
https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/cat-human-bond
Takagi, S., Koyasu, H., Nagasawa, M. et al. Rapid formation of picture-word association in cats. Sci Rep14, 23091 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74006-2
Acute severe stress triggers the body’s “fight-or-flight response”. Your heart beats faster, your blood pressure increases and you breathe harder. Your muscles become tense, you may feel nauseous. Wild animals can actually die of stress during capture and relocation as a result of a condition known as “capture myopathy”. Muscles are damaged as the animal struggles to escape; the damaged muscle releases toxic substances into the bloodstream, causing kidney failure, high temperatures and sometimes death or a subsequent deterioration in health (Reference 1).
While few cats have been documented as suffering from “capture myopathy”, restraining a struggling, terrified cat for a procedure at the vet clinic has a potential to cause physical as well as emotional damage. If pre-visit medications aren’t enough, the cat owner has a choice: fear or sedation at the vet?
Fear or sedation at the vet?
Sedation can be a gift for a fearful and/or fractious cat. Sedation can (Reference 2):
provide comfort and analgesia while reducing anxiety and stress
prevent injury to veterinary staff
promote a better hospital experience for cats undergoing minor procedures
When properly done, sedation can be a safe procedure for most cats. On the other hand, general anesthesia may be more appropriate for cats with neurological problems, cardiac or respiratory disorders (Reference 2).
sedation vs general anesthesia
Sedation is similar to general anesthesia: the drugs used can cause unconsciousness, amnesia and loss of protective reflexes such as gagging and swallowing (if possible, the cat is fasted prior to the procedure). The risks to the sedated cat are similar to those encountered by the anesthetized cat: the most common issues are cardiovascular and respiratory (Reference 2).
Sedation is chosen for minor procedures where the cat will be only be under the effects of sedative drugs for a short time. A cat may be sedated to acquire blood and urine samples, have x-rays of painful limbs, or have an abscess flushed and stitched up. In such brief procedures, typically an airway is not established with an endotracheal tube nor is an intravenous catheter placed. The goal is to finish the necessary tasks and wake the cat up, returning them to a normal physiologic state as soon as possible.
Good practice dictates that the veterinary team be prepared to transition to general anesthesia if necessary, providing oxygen, intubating the cat and placing an intravenous catheter for fluid therapy if needed.
Monitoring (Reference 2) during sedation is not as comprehensive as that of general anesthesia due to time constraints. An abbreviated protocol follows the cat’s physiologic status.
monitor depth of sedation – eye blink reflex
measuring oxygen saturation in the blood (pulse oximetry)
measuring pulse rate and blood pressure
Comfort and Pain Relief
Sedation protocols for cats are typically a combination of a pain medication (usually an opioid) and a sedative. The combination of the two drugs produces a greater sedative effect compared with either drug given alone. Lower doses of the drugs can be used when they are given together (Reference 2), reducing adverse cardiac and respiratory side effects.
The drugs can given intramuscularly (IM) or intravenously (IV) depending on the drug combination. IM protocols are popular because is often easier to give a frightened, struggling cat an injection in the muscle compared with trying to inject drugs in a vein.
Pre-visit medications can be an adjunct to the sedation procedure, reducing the dose of sedative drugs needed and making administration of these drugs less stressful.
recovery
A warm, dark, quiet area allows cats waking up from sedation or anesthesia to be monitored to ensure a smooth recovery. Additional pain medication may be administered and food may be offered if appropriate.
returning home
Watch your cat closely once they are home. Consider confining them to a room with all their resources so that they can safely settle back into the home environment and routine. Be sure to check in on them until the effects of the sedative drugs have worn off.
Cats identify each other by smell. In multi-cat homes, a cat returning from the vet clinic has picked up the smell of the hospital and may be “shunned” by their housemates. Keeping the returning cat separate from their housemates followed by a reintroduction is appropriate here.
The choice: Fear or Sedation at the Vet?
In cats with fractious temperaments or showing fearful behavior, sedation can replace moments of sheer terror with a better hospital experience. Gone is the struggle, muscle tension, and fear associated with full-body restraint. The gift of sedation can help cats live longer and healthier lives due to better veterinary care.
references
Breed D, Meyer LCR, Steyl JCA, Goddard A, Burroughs R, Kohn TA. Conserving wildlife in a changing world: Understanding capture myopathy-a malignant outcome of stress during capture and translocation. Conserv Physiol. 2019 Jul 5;7(1):coz027. doi: 10.1093/conphys/coz027. PMID: 31304016; PMCID: PMC6612673.
Simon BT, Steagall PV. Feline procedural sedation and analgesia: When, why and how. J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Nov;22(11):1029-1045. doi: 10.1177/1098612X20965830. PMID: 33100168; PMCID: PMC10814218.
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A relaxed, calm cat approaches a veterinary staff member.
Veterinary medicine has markedly improved for companion animals – we recognize that cats and dogs experience pain and suffering, which in turn affects their quality of life. Routine checkups, vaccinations, and dental cleanings reduce disease and improve the health and welfare of our pets.
Cats are becoming members of the family and not just valued mousers. There is a trend away from brute force handling of cats to “get it (blood sample, vaccination) done” to trying to make the vet visit better for cats, avoiding fear and arousal as much as possible.
make the vet visit better for cats
Some of the programs in place to help veterinary staff address the feline patient include:
Cat Friendly Practice (Reference 1)
Fear Free Program (Reference 2)
Low-Stress Handling (Reference 3)
All of these initiatives have the same goal – to deliver medical care to animals without the complications of fear and arousal. We want to avoid the trauma that can result from an unpleasant or frightening event. We want to avoid overwhelming an animal’s ability to cope and triggering survival mechanisms such as fight, freeze or flight.
How can we make the vet visit better for cats? When they arrive at the veterinary clinic, the cat has been taken out of his home environment and transported to a strange place – it smells of other animals, many of whom are afraid; it may be cold and noisy. The cat is most likely scared and anxious, not knowing what will happen next.
How we handle cats in the veterinary hospital has direct consequences on the cat’s welfare. To reduce stress and bad memories, we start with a quiet exam room and an assessment of how kitty is doing today.
the behavior traffic light – Go? Caution? stop!
green – go?
The “green” cat is relaxed and may approach veterinary staff.
Handling may include petting if the cat solicits it.
Exam can be in the cat’s carrier, on the owner’s lap, or wherever the cat is comfortable.
Restraint is minimal – handling focuses on stabilizing the cat.
Food/toys may be used to distract the cat and keep them happy.
yellow – caution?
The “yellow” cat shows early signs of anxiety or fear – they are tense, ears flattened, the tail may be tucked under.
Handling may include a towel to give the cat a place to hide and feel more secure.
The visit should be prioritized, with the exam number one on the list.
Optional procedures like a nail trim may be put off for another day.
Some cats will freeze and seem easy to handle but they are fearful and may “explode” with aggression.
red – stop!
A “red” cat may hiss, growl, bite or swat at someone trying to handle them.
They actively resist handling.
These cats are fearful and defensive and may try to hide.
Handling should be stopped immediately to avoid injury to the cat or the handler.
If the cat calms down after a break, a limited exam can be attempted.
Sedation or anesthesia will be recommended instead of force for urgent procedures.
Can “stop” make the vet visit better for cats?
It is important to realize that the cat learns from traumatic handling. They are likely to repeat the same behavior in a similar situation; they will associate the room, the people, the type of touch with the traumatic experience. “STOP” allows us to do a “reset” to that point before things started to go wrong and try to make the vet visit better for cats.
Sedation
Sedative drugs cause a state of calmness or sleepiness. Sedating cats who are fractious or fearful allow us to provide them with pain relief and reduce their anxiety and stress, while performing diagnostics and minor procedures.
In urgent cases, sedation is an option for the “red” cat who does not have a history of health issues, or if a limited exam is possible and does not present any red flags.
In non-urgent situations, the owner may consider trying pre-visit medication for a repeat visit, with the option of sedation if needed.
What are the risks of sedation? These questions will be answered in the next post.
Going to the vet can be an otherworldy experience for a cat!
Going to the vet can be like a scene from a science fiction movie for your cat. He becomes anxious the moment the “spaceship” (carrier) comes out. He boards his spaceship and then launches into the unknown. When his craft lands on the alien surface (the vet clinic), he is met by aliens who make strange noises and poke and prod him with exotic instruments.
You have been working to make this experience not so frightening – you have carrier trained your cat, introduced him to the car, and practiced cat friendly handling with him (see Preparing for The Cat Friendly Exam). While training sets the stage for a good vet visit, sometimes a little medication can help a cat relax at the vet, reducing his anxiety just enough to make the visit a good one.
Pre-Appointment medication can help a cat relax at the vet
Two of the more common drugs used to reduce cats’ anxiety at the veterinary clinic are gabapentin and trazadone.
gabapentin
developed as an anti-convulsant
has anti-anxiety properties – reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters
is a pain reliever
The typical dose is 100 mg given 1.5 – 2 hours prior to your cat’s vet visit. Frequently, a dose is given the night before. Doses can vary for individual cats – some cats may do well with a 50 mg dose while others may need 150 mg
Gabapentin is available in capsules; it can also be compounded in small tablets or made into a liquid.
capsules: The capsule is opened and the powder is mixed in a small amount of tuna fish or canned cat food. Gabapentin is bitter and some cats may not eat it in food. In these cases, it may be better to give the capsule directly to the cat.
liquid: The liquid may result in foaming at the mouth.
tablets: Gabapentin can also be compounded into flavored small tablets.
Your cat may be a little sleepy or wobbly after taking gabapentin. You may want to watch kitty near the stairs or jumping up on things!
Trazodone
Another drug used with cats is Trazodone. Trazodone is an antidepressant that is commonly prescribed for insomnia and depression in humans. Like gabapentin, one of its side effects is drowsiness and possibly anxiety reduction. Trazodone can be combined with gabapentin if your vet feels that gabapentin does not provide enough sedation.
Typical dose is 50 mg given by mouth 90 minutes before the stressful event. Trazodone does lower blood pressure in cats (Reference 1) and may have a higher risk of serotonin syndrome if used with other anti-depressant medication such as fluoxetine(Reconcile). Trazodone is available as a tablet or can be compounded into a liquid or capsule form.
bonqat – just for cats
In November 2023, the FDA approved Bonqat, an oral solution of the drug pregabalin as a previsit medication specifically for cats. Like gabapentin, pregabalin is also used to treat seizures and nerve pain by reducing the influx of calcium ions into nerve cells (Reference 2).
Calcium coming into the cells is a trigger for neurotransmitter release, so less calcium decreases the release of excitatory neurotransmitters that carry messages of anxiety and fear. Pregabalin has been found to be more potent than gabapentin and is absorbed more predictably.
Bonqat is the feline friendly formulation of pregabalin. It is given to your cat about an hour and a half before they have to get into the carrier. It is a flavored liquid and can be mixed in a small amount of food. The amount given is small – 0.1 ml/2.2 lbs.
Bonqat typically causes less sedation and wobliness than gabapentin but be sure to keep outdoor cats inside when on either drug until the effects of the drug wears off.
Supplements
If you feel your cat is fairly calm and you are not ready to go the drug route, a calming supplement in place of medication can help a cat relax at the vet. Supplements may help reduce a cat’s anxiety but do not expect them to work as well as gabapentin or pregabalin.
Zylkene contains alpha casozepine, a bioactive peptide. Alpha casozepine promotes the action of the main inhibitaory neurotransmitter in the brain, GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) (Reference 4). It is recommended to start the supplement about 2 days prior to the vet visit. Most cats like Zylkene and will readily eat it sprinkled on their food.
L-theanine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in green tea leaves. L-theanine also promotes the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA and has been shown to keep cats and dogs relaxed (Reference 5) and comes in a tasty chew tablet. Solliquin (Nutramaxx) and Anxitane (Virbac) are two veterinary-labeled supplements containing L-theanine. Start the supplement per manufacturer’s directions 2-3 days before the vet visit.
Supplements or medication can help a cat relax at the vet and complement the training you have done to reduce your cat’s anxiety at his vet visit. Your cat will be less anxious and more willing to draw on what he has learned before and to accept new experiences. Given under your veterinarian’s supervision, these drugs and supplements are safe and effective. While the supplements and Bonqat are palatable, gabapentin and trazodone are bitter, which some cats may find aversive. In the next post, we will see what we can do to encourage your cat to take a bitter pill.
references:
1. Fries RC, Kadotani S, Vitt JP, Schaeffer DJ. Effects of oral trazodone on echocardiographic and hemodynamic variables in healthy cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2019;21(12):1080-1085. doi:10.1177/1098612X18814565
3. Makawey A, Iben C, Palme R. Cats at the Vet: The Effect of Alpha-s1 Casozepine. Animals (Basel). 2020 Nov 5;10(11):2047. doi: 10.3390/ani10112047. PMID: 33167443; PMCID: PMC7694447.
4. Benoit S, Chaumontet C, Violle N, Boulier A, Hafeez Z, Cakir-Kiefer C, Tomé D, Schwarz J, Miclo L. The Anxiolytic-like Properties of a Tryptic Hydrolysate of Bovine αs1 Casein Containing α-Casozepine Rely on GABAA Receptor Benzodiazepine Binding Sites but Not the Vagus Nerve. Nutrients. 2022 May 26;14(11):2212. doi: 10.3390/nu14112212. PMID: 35684011; PMCID: PMC9182760.
5. Dramard, V., Kern, L., Hofmans, J. et al. Effect of l-theanine tablets in reducing stress-related emotional signs in cats: an open-label field study. Ir Vet J71, 21 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-018-0130-4
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Cats have a reputation of being difficult to work with, particularly when it comes to giving medications. Some cats will take medication using treats but what about those cats who don’t care about treats?
Did you know that the right touch can relax your cat? Is it easier to medicate a relaxed cat?
the right touch can relax your cat
Recently, I watched an older cat – we’ll call her Bella – while the owner was away. Bella is an older female cat with diabetes, high blood pressure, and chronic rhinitis. She needs two insulin injections a day, oral blood pressure medication, oral allergy pills and nose drops. The owner gave the oral medications in capsules using a pill gun.
Giving the injections did not present an issue but oral medications were challenging. Bella has a reduced sense of smell due to her congestion so pills in treats were not appealing to her. The standard way of giving a pill by tilting her head back and trying to drop/slide the pill down resulted in Bella struggling and scratching me as she tried to get her paws up to keep that pill from going into her mouth. It took several tries to get the capsules into her.
Having been a veterinary technician in a cat hospital for over 10 years, my first thoughts were that I would need to towel wrap Bella to control her paws and then give the medication. I even briefly considered an old cat bag (no, no, no…) that I had used once or twice in the past.
Then, it struck me – if I could get Bella to relax and be calm, giving the medication should be much easier. I had been working with my cats trying to teach them to identify a state of calmness and it had helped my youngest cat manage arousal. Miso would get so aroused from petting that he would bite! Now I give him a verbal cue to be calm, coupled occasionally with some shoulder and back massage (see below), and it works!
what kind of Touch is relaxing?
Cats of the same social group greet each other by touching noses or rubbing against each other; some also twine their tails together while rubbing against each other. Some affiliated cats groom each other. These touches release pheromones which are thought to activate the “feel-good” neurotransmitters, oxytocin and dopamine (Reference 1).
Studies conducted at the California Institute of Technology on mice found that there are specific neurons that respond to stroking. These neurons can be activated by gentle but firm stroking (Reference 2). Deeper compressive touches like those used in massage therapy are also found to be calming (Reference 3). Both types of touch can relax your cat.
With cats, I start with some long, firm strokes of the upper spine, stopping at the end of the rib cage. I follow with gentle circular motions on the shoulders, then firm compressive touch of the muscles along the upper spine (for more detail, see “Touch can Relax Your Cat and Reduce Anxiety” ).
success – the right touch can relax your cat!
Using this massage, Bella willingly laid down on her side. I was able to trim front nails and give medication with the pill gun. I followed each procedure with some more touch/massage.
In the following pilling trials, I added Churu paste on the pill gun tip to help lube the capsules for easier swallowing. Again, I started with massage before offering the capsules and ended with massage after giving the capsules.
After a few trials with the Churu being used as lubricant, Bella wanted more of the treat and we progressed to having her lick the treat off the pill gun, then sliding the pill gun in from the side as she swallowed the capsule. As before, I sandwiched procedures between sessions of touch/massage.
The net result was a cat that would come over and lay down for her capsules after three trials – no fighting, no defensive front paws. So, much easier.
When I had take care of Bella in the past, I had tried to use brushing as a reward. Using the right touch to relax her before medicating, was much more effective.
The right touch can relax your cat. Teaching your cat to relax on a mat or blanket has so many benefits. It can make giving medications, trimming claws or even shaving mats so much easier. And it also gives you and your cat time to relax together.
references
Michael Gliksberg, Gil Levkowitz, Smells Familiar: Pheromone-Induced Neurotransmitter Switching Mediates Social Discrimination, Neuron,Volume 95, Issue 6, 2017, Pages 1229-1231, ISSN 0896-6273,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2017.08.044.
Vrontou, S., Wong, A., Rau, K. et al. Genetic identification of C fibres that detect massage-like stroking of hairy skin in vivo. Nature 493, 669–673 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature11810
Leah J. Elias, Ishmail Abdus-Saboor, Bridging skin, brain, and behavior to understand pleasurable social touch,Current Opinion in Neurobiology, Volume 73, 2022, 102527,ISSN 0959-4388, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conb.2022.102527.
It’s hard to resist those cute little balls of fur. If you are smitten with a kitten, how do you know if a kitten is a fraidy cat? It is unlikely that you will know the details of how they were raised. What can you do?
that kitten is a fraidy cat
Kittens that are fearful at intake into the animal shelter are more likely to remain fearful of unfamiliar people and objects when they are old enough to be adopted (Reference 1). This makes them less likely to be adopted. How do you identify the fraidy cat?
A recent study observed the responses of 46 kittens 5-8 weeks old when they were confronted with 1) a stuffed dog 2) a stuffed cat and 3) a vacuum cleaner. The researchers found that fear behaviors in kittens are similar to those of an adult cat (Reference 1).
Many rescues will adopt out kittens at 8-10 weeks of age although recent research favors adopting kittens out at a later age, 12 weeks or more (Reference 2). Many rescues will allow you to visit with an adoptable kitten. How do you know if the kitten is fearful or not?
If a kitten is a fraidy cat, watch for the fear behaviors listed below (red box). You will often see these behaviors while the kitten backs up or runs away from a person or object. The green box lists behaviors of relaxed kittens.
that kitten is a fraidy cat
Crouching: the kitten’s body is close to the ground with all four legs bent and their belly close to or touching the ground
Tucked or lowered Tail: Tail is tucked under the body or wrapped around the hind legs
Whether the kitten you adopt is shy and retiring or bold and confident, it is important to provide them with an environment that the kitten feels safe in. Often, kittens are fostered in the homes of rescue volunteers to reduce their exposure to illness. A recent survey of foster care of kittens found that (Reference 3) :
Kittens who spend most of their time in the social areas of the home (free access indoors or in the living room) are more friendly to people
Kittens do better in quieter social areas
Kittens who spent some time alone seem happier and more interested in playing with toys
what to do
SET UP A SAFE PLACE: Set up a space for the kitten with a cozy place to sleep, some toys, water, and a litter box. This can be a spare room or walk-in closet in your house or apartment. You will use this area for quiet time and when there is too much stimulation for the kitten.
IF THAT KITTEN IS A FRAIDY CAT: Keep the kitten in that safe place (spare room, walk-in closet) for the first few days after you bring them home. Supervise them as they first start to explore the house.
IF THAT KITTEN IS A FRAIDY CAT: Visits to the social areas should be short at first. Start with a quiet room and work up to a normal noise level; start with one or two people and work up to a full house. Your “thermometer” is the kitten’s body language(see above) – if they seem anxious, return them to their “safe place”.
KITTENS NEED QUIET TIME: Just like human children, kittens need to spend some time alone, away from housemates and people. Think of “quiet” time in kindergarten. The “safe place” gives kittens an opportunity to sleep and to play with toys on their own.
Be sure to handle the kitten in a gentle, predictable way.
The international cat rescue, ICatCare, recommends following a “five second rule”, where you play or handle the kitten for 5 seconds than assess if the kitten is still enjoying the interaction (Reference 4).
You can count slowly to 5, then see how the kitten is doing. Watch your kitten’s body language!
Experts recommend several weeks for animals to acclimate to a new environment – zoos and animal parks may take up to 30 days to allow animals to adjust to their new home, surroundings, and interactions with other animals (Reference 5). Plan to give your new kitten time to settle into your home – a gradual introduction to the household works best!
It is important to identify when that kitten is a fraidy cat and adjust socialization appropriately. Consider printing and posting the infographic of fear behaviors in kittens to refer to.
references
Graham, C., Khalife, S., Pearl, D. L., Mason, G. J., & Niel, L. (2024). Tell-tail fear behaviors in kittens:Identifying the scaredy cat. Animal Behavior and Cognition, 11(4), 361-392.https://doi.org/10.26451/abc.11.04.03.2024
Finka, L.R. Conspecific and Human Sociality in the Domestic Cat: Consideration of Proximate Mechanisms, Human Selection and Implications for Cat Welfare. Animals 2022, 12, 298. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12030298
Gemma R. Campbell, Elizabeth R. Arnott, Courtney Graham, Lee Niel, Michael P. Ward, Gemma Ma, Impact of early socialisation in foster care on kitten behaviour, Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Volume 276,2024,106306, ISSN 0168-1591,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106306.
the icatcare-kitten-booklet for care, feeding and housing of your new kitten. See https://icatcare.org/resources/icatcare-kitten-booklet-2024.pdf
DeGroot, Jen. “Ask the Expert: How do you acclimate an animal to a new habitat?”, Cleveland Zoological Society, September 27, 2021. https://www.clevelandzoosociety.org/z/2021/09/27/ask-the-expert-how-do-you-acclimate-an-animal-to-a-new-habitat
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Indeed, we are more familiar with dogs’ body language than that of cats. People see dogs as more social than cats. Someone getting a puppy will plan to take it places, walk it and play with it.
success – the right touch can relax your cat!
