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Some cats do not like being groomed, but if they’re long-haired or unable to groom themselves for any reason, grooming is a necessity. If their coat is not free of mats and tangles, it can tug uncomfortably on your cat’s skin, causing discomfort and even skin problems.
If you’re struggling to keep your cat calm during grooming sessions, there are a few methods that you can use to sedate them. This will make grooming much more comfortable for your cat and for you!
The 3 Methods for a Stress-Free Grooming Session
1. Sedative Medication
For some cats, sedative medication is the most humane way to groom them comfortably. Before using any medication of this type, speak to your vet for advice. They may prescribe a particular type of sedative to match your cat’s circ*mstances. You may decide to administer the sedative and groom your cat at home or book your cat in for a sedation and grooming session at your vet practice.
2. Non-Medicated Options
If your cat is used to grooming and you and your vet think sedation and pharmacological tranquilization are not necessary, you may be able to find a non-medicated option to help them instead.
These include things like:
Cat calming treats: The ingredients used in the chews and food are usually hydrolyzed milk protein, L-tryptophan, vitamin B, and L-theanine, which have been proven to be safe and effective in cats.
Popular plants: These include valerian, silver vine, and catnip. Each plant is different, so if you know your cat responds well to a particular ingredient, make sure to have it nearby.
Pheromone diffuser: Feliway is a plug-in diffuser that releases cat-calming pheromones, which are the chemicals your cat produces and liberates when rubbing their face against people or surfaces. These pheromones are for communication, which makes them feel calmer and more comfortable. Your cat needs to be within a specific range of the diffuser to feel the effects.
Calming spray:These contain the same pheromones as the diffuser, but you can spray them on your chosen surface for grooming.
Any of these may help relax your cat enough for you to be able to groom them effectively.
3. General Anesthesia
In some cases, a vet may choose to anesthetize a cat to groom them effectively. This may be used if a longhaired cat with extremely matted hair has been rescued and needs a significant amount of hair clipped away. If a cat has torn skin from mats or is suffering from other complications, like flystrike, using anesthesia will often be less stressful.
A well-groomed cat will be much more comfortable than one with dirty and matted fur. So, rather than putting off those grooming sessions because you know your cat doesn’t like them, consider having your cat anesthetized to keep them comfortable without any unnecessary stress.
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Conclusion
We have gone through the three ways to help your cat have a stress-free grooming session. Some cats may need a hand with grooming, especially those with long hair or if they have suffered from a problem that prevents them from grooming themselves, such as arthritis or a recent surgery.
Your veterinarian will help you determine the best option for you and your cat. Follow their advice so that your cat can enjoy a beautiful and healthy coat.
See also:How to Groom a Cat That Hates It: Vet-Approved Tips
The easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. To ensure that your cat swallows all of the medication, it is best to mix it into a small amount of canned food that you feed by hand, rather than mixing it into a full bowl of food that the cat may not completely eat.
The easiest way to give your cat liquid medication is to mix it in with some canned food. To ensure that your cat swallows all of the medication, it is best to mix it into a small amount of canned food that you feed by hand, rather than mixing it into a full bowl of food that the cat may not completely eat.
Hold the brush and encourage them to sniff or rub against the bristles. Cats especially like to be in control of every situation, so this allows them to feel like they are the one grooming themselves! Encourage any positive interest in the brush with a reward. Don't push the subject.
A: Veterinarians recommend approximately one milligram of Benadryl per pound of body weight. Meaning, if you have a 10-pound (approximately 4.5 kg) cat, you should give it 10 mg of Benadryl. Q: Is liquid Benadryl safe for cats?
Honeysuckle, scientifically known as Lonicera, is also used as a natural way to sedate cats. There are cats out there that don't react to catnip, so honeysuckle is said to be a great alternative.
Gabapentin is a medication that can be used for several purposes, including seizure control, anxiety relief, sedation, and pain management. It's a common cat sedative for grooming, travel, vet visits, and other short-term events. Gabapentin is generally considered safe in healthy pets, with minimal side effects.
The euthanasia medication most vets use is pentobarbital, a seizure medication. In large doses, it quickly renders the pet unconscious. It shuts down their heart and brain functions usually within one or two minutes.
“Liquid Benadryl may cause foaming at the mouth or drooling because it is often flavored with a sweetener to taste like bubble gum or cherry. Your cat may not like these tastes,” Dr. Bonk says. “Similarly, Benadryl tablets may have a bitter taste that could cause drooling or foaming at the mouth.”
Trazodone for cats is available in oral tablet form, in 50, 75 and 100 mg strengths. The usual dose for pre-visit sedation in cats is: 5-10 mg/kg or 50 mg average per cat by mouth.
Lavender, which has natural sedative properties, may help soothe an anxious cat.Copaiba, helichrysum, and frankincense are also considered safe for cats. Before using essential oils, even in the form of diffused scents, around your cats, check with your holistic veterinarian for recommendations.
Alfaxalone can also be used for intramuscular sedation in geriatric cats and dogs at doses of 1 to 3 mg/kg, in combination with an opioid and benzodiazepine. This is especially useful in fearful geriatric cats for whom ketamine is contraindicated due to the presence of cardiac disease.
It might be helpful to coat tablets with butter or some other savory substance such as tuna or anchovy paste. This not only makes the medication tasty, but also lubricates it, which might make it easier to medicate a reluctant cat.
Some liquid medications can also successfully be administered by mixing them with a small amount of a tasty item. The key for any oral medication is that you put the tasty item with the medication out first – while your cat is hungry – so he or she is more likely to eat it without realizing the medication was inside.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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