How to calm a restless cat
Do you have a pet at home that not only brings you positive emotions, but also makes you tolerate its difficult character? You are not alone. Or your restless cat is not alone. There are many such poor fellows.
Cats are becoming more and more spoiled and causing a lot of inconvenience to their owners. They damage the furniture of the house, they can take revenge wherever they want, they meow loudly and make noise when all the residents of the house are sleeping. They are annoying and arrogant.
What to do with them if their behavior already causes a nervous tic? We suggest understanding the reasons for this behavior and eliminating them.
Many modern pets eat ready-made food from the store. Of course, advertising says that their food is balanced and healthy. But often this food makes cats overly active and agitated. After eating, they rush throughout the house, because now they have more than enough energy.
Manufacturers advertise: “Food for energetic cats.” Why does an already energetic cat need this stimulating food? Do you want your restless cat to become calm? Review his diet.
Try to feed him homemade food, and less - ready-made dry and liquid food from stores. Of course, at the beginning the cat will meow protractedly and ask for its usual food. But don't be fooled by his plaintive requests. Stick with it until the end.
And you will see that your pet will begin to eat homemade food and love it over time. This food will also change his behavior. He will become less anxious and more obedient.
Cats are accustomed to attracting the attention of their owners in certain ways. They meow and scratch when they want attention. But what if it happens late at night or early in the morning? Of course, at this time people are sleeping, and this behavior of their pets does not please them at all.
How to stop them from bothering you at night? It's simple! Don't pay any attention to them! Sleep with earplugs, push them away if they start to trample you and continue to sleep for your own pleasure. At first, cats will be offended or act more actively.
But over time, if you don't change your tactics, they will understand that their actions are useless and will stop waking you up.
Domestic cats are predators. It is in their nature to hunt. Therefore, boredom is their worst enemy.
In order for them to fully expend their energy on satisfying their instincts, it is necessary to create an environment in the house in which they can play enough during the day.
There are special toys and interior solutions for this. Having played enough, they will calm down and will not disturb you, since they have already satisfied their need.
From time to time, cats need to be taken to the veterinarian. After all, sometimes they behave restlessly because they are worried about some diseases, worms, ticks, fleas. Tests can identify them in time, and your veterinarian can help you treat your pet.
Often they try to calm cats down with the help of castration, medications, and special calming drops. But they give a temporary effect. To live in harmony with pets, you need to look at their restless nature from different angles, try to find the reasons for this behavior and work on them.
Source: https://domsovet2.ru/domashnie-zhivotnye/kak-uspokoit-bespokojnogo-kota/
What to do if your cat is nervous
It takes time and patience for your cat to get used to it and start behaving normally again. Sometimes this can take weeks or even months, but the important thing is that this type of behavior can be gradually corrected with the right amount of commitment and patience. It's a good idea to consult with your veterinarian, and in some cases, in addition to medication, he or she may also recommend a feline behaviorist.
Here are some more tips on what you can do if your cat is very nervous:
- Try to spend some time in silence in the room where she is hiding . If you notice your nervous kitty hiding under the sofa in your living room, try spending some time in the room with her. You can read a book or watch a TV series and then try saying her name in a soft and soothing voice.
- Maintain a peaceful home environment . Make your home a welcoming environment for your cat so that her nervousness will subside over time. Avoid loud music and harsh sounds. Tell your children to lower their voices and if you tend to shout sometimes, it may be best to correct that. If your cat is peaceful, she will be less nervous.
- Encourage her to come out with treats or food . If you notice her peeking out of her hiding place, try to encourage her to come out by throwing treats. If she comes over and eats it, you can try giving her another one while talking to her in a soft tone.
- Rebuild her self-confidence with interactive games . If your nervous cat comes out of hiding, try to restore her confidence by engaging her in interactive games. You can try placing a feather on the tease toy and then twitching it in tiny movements to get her attention. If your cat starts to show interest, play with her a little more and praise her by giving her treats.
- Exchange slow blinks with her . Try this trick and see how your fur baby reacts. When she looks in your direction, close your eyes and slowly open them again. If she responds to this gesture by blinking, it is a sign that she is starting to relax in your presence.
- Provide her with vertical space and escape routes . Placing cat perches will encourage her to move around easily and be able to see the outside world. This is also a great boost to her self-confidence. You can also install escape routes in the form of shelves so that she can move freely around the environment and be more relaxed.
- Don't force things and let her come closer to you . As mentioned, it takes a lot of patience to make your cat feel comfortable and relaxed. Don't force things. She may have a hard time getting rid of her nervousness, but she will recover over time with your patience and care.
How to calm a March cat?
In spring, the cat's body is full of hormones. And if people (during periods of hormonal surges, try to somehow restrain themselves), then cats do not see the need to hide their condition.
The screaming cat is trying to get rid of the “extra” hormones, at least by screaming, since there is no way to urgently punch the neighbor’s cat in the ears, gain the favor of the charming kitty, or do at least something! Depending on the intonation, the screams can be translated something like this:
- “Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! Let me go!”
- “Devkiiii! I'm here!"
- “Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh-oh! How bad is that!”
- “Depressive!”
- “Damn, it’s either someone for me, or I’m someone now, or everyone else!”
What do the habits of cats say?
Your pet's behavior may change slightly during this period. An animal that is usually indifferent to food suddenly begins to eat as if out of control, and the classic glutton completely forgets about his favorite bowl. Both are completely normal (remember, we do the same thing).
In the fever of love, someone loses calories and requires constant replenishment. And for others, an additional “qi” channel opens, and food fades into the background - as long as they are not distracted. The diet during this period does not require any special changes.
Unless you try to brighten up the purr's existence by offering him his favorite food.
As for any additional measures that can help a cat survive the difficult time of every second desire, there are not so many of them. It is advisable to avoid hormonal medications. In a favorable situation, an injection of the steroid hormone prolygestone can block sexual desire for a year (in an unfavorable situation, only for a month). But this is convenient only for the owner.
Such drugs have a particularly negative effect on the health of the “weaker half” of the cat tribe.
Due to hormonal pressure, cats suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, changes in the walls of the uterus, breast tissue and many other diseases.
How to calm a cat before bathing
As a rule, cats are afraid to swim. There are some breeds, for example, the Bengal, which are not only not afraid, but even love. There are no problems with them when washing. But the Scottish breed, with the exception of certain individuals, hates this business. To bathe such cats you have to take special measures.
Why is this necessary? The fact is that some cats are so afraid of bathing that, combined with a weak heart, washing can even lead to death . We don’t want to scare you so much that you later become afraid to wash your cat, but you need to have this information.
Therefore, we prepare the cat as much as possible for his first bath, and during the process we make sure to monitor his condition. It is normal to struggle and scream while washing. But if, on the contrary, he suddenly becomes silent, begins to wheeze, breathe heavily, and falls to the floor, then this is a distress signal.
Also periodically touch near the heart and evaluate whether it is jumping out of the cat’s chest.
Well, now about the steps that should be taken immediately before bathing in order to calm the cat a little and make bathing less traumatic.
Introduce your cat to the bath in advance
You can’t just take a cat into the bathroom for the first time for a bath. He must have been in this room many times for other purposes. Give free access to the bathroom at any time. Let the cat walk there on his own.
Many cats love to get into the bathroom and when people turn on the water tap. If your pet is one of these, you will notice it. Don't chase him when he tries to get closer to the stream of water, even if he gets in your way.
Let the animal get used to the fact that water procedures and hygiene are commonplace for all members of the pack.
Give me a sedative
If you have already gone through the same situation several times, when the cat does not want to bathe, breaks out and screams, and is lethargic after bathing, then perhaps you need to calm him down a little with the help of herbs. A few days before the planned bath, start giving him drops so that his emotional background returns to normal.
Find the right moment
On the day when you decide to give your pet a bath, choose the right moment - this is the moment of his calm. Perhaps it will be half an hour after sleep. But not during violent games. Wait until you get a little tired. Or even deliberately play together to tire them out.
Do not be nervous
Cats are a bit telepathic. Therefore, they know very well when the owner wants to catch them, and even more so when he wants to bathe them. And if the owner himself is nervous, then troubles cannot be avoided. Calm down. Get help. Tune in to a positive outcome of the procedure. And don’t convey your bad mood to the cat.
The cat wants the cat: how to calm it down and what means to use?
Each breed reaches sexual maturity at a different time, but on average it occurs at 8-10 months of age. It is during this period that cats first begin to want a cat.
Recognizing when cats start wanting a cat is quite easy. The first sign is frequent urination in the animal.
It also refuses to eat; even its favorite treats are not pleasing and cannot make you concentrate on food.
During the period of sexual activity, the cat screams and constantly strives to escape into the street. It is also possible to display attacks of aggression, attacks on owners or other cats.
Medicines to calm cats
When a cat wants a cat, every owner inevitably thinks about how to calm him down. The first thing that comes to mind are medications designed to dull the sexual instincts of an animal. Now their range is simply huge, but before choosing one in particular, it is better to consult a veterinarian.
Many owners wonder how these same drugs affect the health of their pet. However, even outstanding specialists cannot answer this question unequivocally.
After all, their main effect is the regulation of hormones. At the very least, you shouldn’t abuse drugs. They should be given directly when the cat wants a cat.
At this moment, the owners no longer think of how to calm him down, and radical measures need to be taken.
Should a cat be neutered?
As soon as a cat appears in a family, the owners immediately think about castrating it. However, some people stop because they doubt whether it is really worth doing. Undoubtedly, when a domestic cat wants a cat, it causes a lot of trouble and hassle for people. But it’s worth weighing the pros and cons of surgical intervention in an animal’s body.
Castration is the removal of an animal's gonads through surgery.
Despite the fact that many are horrified by the name itself, this operation is classified as simple and does not pose any threat to the life of your pet.
True, after this he may no longer be so active, mobile, and playful. Often after surgery, cats become fatter and lead a more passive lifestyle.
How to calm a cat?
If a cat yells and insistently demands a cat, and does not let you sleep at night, then you definitely need to do something about it. Typically, owners have three options to choose from:
- find a cat to mate with a cat;
- apply drops for a cat so that he doesn’t want a cat;
- castrate the animal.
The last method is radical. Not everyone will decide to take it. Also, not every owner dares to look for a girlfriend for his pet. After all, most likely, she will also have to be temporarily accommodated at home, and this will be unnecessary worries and troubles. But the second option is the most acceptable. All that remains is to choose the right drug.
Drops for cats so that they don’t want a cat
In cats, sexual activity occurs in the spring. It is then that they begin to especially annoy their owners by meowing, rushing outside and damaging household property. To cope with this condition, many owners prefer drops. But still, if a cat wants a cat, how to calm him down, it is better to consult a veterinarian.
The following have proven to be the best sedative drops for cats:
- "Sex barrier";
- "Contra-sex";
- "Cat Baiyun".
You can buy them at any veterinary pharmacy.
Tablets for cats from partying
In addition to drops, tablets are also widely used that can reduce the sexual activity of an animal. However, it is much more difficult to “slip” them to a cat, because he can easily detect them and refuse to eat them. Here the owners have to resort to various tricks and tricks in order to feed the drug to their pet.
If a cat wants a cat, every owner thinks about how to calm him down. The first thing that comes to mind or is recommended by neighbors is to buy tablets at a veterinary pharmacy. They can be divided into sedative and hormonal.
Soothing medications are usually herbal based and require use several times a day. When using these medications, your pet may experience drowsiness, lethargy, and decreased appetite.
As for hormonal drugs, they should be used very carefully and only after undergoing an examination at a veterinary clinic. Otherwise, the animal may experience serious health complications that will require additional treatment or may be life-threatening. Hormonal medications can only be used once a day.
Whatever method you choose, if a cat wants a cat, how to calm him down, you need to think about his health. It is also important to remember that when choosing an option such as castration, natural instincts may not disappear.
Causes
Your cat may be very nervous for many reasons, the most common of which is that the cat is new to the house. Although similar behavior is also observed in cats that have been with their pet parents for some time. Additional reasons why a cat may be very nervous include:
She may be anxious or stressed
Cats can become anxious for a variety of reasons, such as illness, pain, or exposure to toxic substances. It could also be due to a psychological trigger such as a traumatic experience such as the death of the family cat, a family member moving away, or you moving to a new home. If your usually affectionate and calm cat becomes nervous and fearful, it is best to consult a veterinarian to have her examined.
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Common signs of anxiety in cats:
- trembles and hides
- destructive or aggressive behavior
- the cat is less active
- diarrhea
- the cat is trying to escape
- ulcers and lesions due to over-nursing
- the cat does not use the litter box and pees or poops elsewhere
Perhaps she is poorly socialized
Your cat may not have been properly introduced to human companionship in the first two months of her life. If she's from a pet shelter, it's best to talk to the people who took care of her so you know what she was like when she was just a kitten.
She may have been abused before
A nervous cat may have been abused by its former owners, so it is best to know the cat's history. A previously abused cat will be nervous around people and may need time and cat therapy to correct this behavior.
She may not like other people or children
Cats, like people, have different personalities, so there will always be cats that don't like you or your kids. Some cats get nervous, especially if children are excited to see them. However, this may just be part of the transition, especially if she is a recently adopted kitty. You can create a cat area a good distance away from children and keep a close eye on whether there are any interactions. Hopefully, as the new kitty gets used to the children around her, she will eventually learn to love them.
She is a new cat and has never lived with people before.
This is somewhat understandable, and a cat usually exhibits nervous behavior when it is rehomed to a pet shelter or adopted from a shelter. The key is to have a lot of patience and dedication and hopefully all will be well with your new cat in the next few days.
She might be sick
If your cat has always been affectionate and friendly, but suddenly becomes nervous and often hides, she may be sick. Cats don't usually make much of a fuss when they're sick, but they tend to hide to treat themselves. Visit to the veterinarian for a check.
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How to calm a cat when he wants a cat: folk remedies
Many owners, when they take a cat into their home, feel calm, thinking that there are fewer problems with a cat than with a cat. Nothing like this. As cats grow older, another problem arises that not every owner can cope with.
Sexual heat in a cat
Puberty in a cat begins at the age of 8-10 months.
it is impossible to do anything about it . An exacerbation of sexual instincts occurs at the end of winter, with the arrival of spring, precisely when most cats begin to heat.
Cat behavior
By some signs, the owner can determine the condition of his pet. Behavior changes immediately. The cat is aggressive towards any, in his opinion, irritant.
- Hisses at the owners, does not make contact, runs away, meows loudly, and may bite or scratch.
- It begins to mark its territory, thus responding to the call of nature. He stands with his back to the wall or door frame, raises his tail, stretches out his hind legs and releases a strong-smelling stream of special secretion from the paraanal glands. (By the way, even neutered cats can start marking their territory).
During puberty, the cat begins to mark its territory.
This secretion includes: pheromones, hormones and semen. The animal puts marks in order to designate its own territory, to show that it is the master here. If several cats live in a house, then only the strongest one, the one recognized by the others, will mark.
How to calm a cat when he wants a cat?
The simplest solution is to let the pet go . The animal will satisfy its needs and after a while will return home. After his return, it is imperative to bathe your pet using shampoos containing insecticidal and bactericidal substances. Give antihelminthic drugs.
Calming for cats
The second method is to take sedative medications:
- «Stop stress»,
- «cat Baiyun».
Or hormonal:
- «Contrasex»,
- «Gestrenol»,
- «Libidomin»,
- «Stop intimate»,
- «Sex barrier».
Surgical method (castration)
The surgical method is castration. Naturally, with such a radical solution to the problem, owners can sleep peacefully and not think about the pet’s sexual desire, but the stress experienced by the animal and possible complications after the operation can create even more problems than before.
After castration surgery, your cat may have health problems.
Folk remedies
To calm the cat, it is recommended to give a herbal mixture based on catnip.
It is acceptable to give a herbal mixture that contains catnip, motherwort, hops, and Baikal skullcap.
- To do this, take one part of mint, two parts each of motherwort, hops and skullcap, stir into the mixture, measure out one and a half tablespoons of the mixture, pour two glasses of boiling water.
- Let it brew for five hours.
- Strain, squeeze, give your pet one teaspoon after meals or add to food.
- They drink four times a day.
Infusion for calming
Herbal infusion is not a guarantee of complete calming of the cat, it is only a temporary remedy.
It is permissible to use an infusion consisting of motherwort herb, plantain leaves, peppermint leaves, marshweed herb, horsetail herb, licorice root, hawthorn blossom.
- To do this, take one part of each plant and mix it.
- Pour two tablespoons of the collection into two and a half glasses of boiling water, leave for 24 hours, strain, and squeeze.
- Give to the male four times a day after meals or add to food.
- Cats usually like mint, so you can safely add the drink to their food.
It is worth noting that the use of folk remedies in the form of herbal infusions and preparations is not a guaranteed remedy for male sexual estrus . Traditional medicine can only serve as a temporary sedative.
Is it possible to give a cat valerian to calm it down?
To calm a cat, it is not recommended to give it valerian.
The plant acts like a powerful drug on cats. Can cause animal madness, hallucinations, aggression, uncontrollable agitation and does not in any way contribute to the calm of the pet.
Causes of night meowing
If you start to figure out why a cat meows at night for no reason, it becomes clear that she still has a reason to do this. It could be:
- a riot of hormones, which is regularly observed in unsterilized cats and uncastrated cats;
- acute pain that our pets may experience, for example, due to an intestinal disorder, or exacerbation of chronic diseases, for example, urolithiasis;
- intestinal parasites, whose vital activity is activated at night, which causes serious discomfort and causes severe anxiety in pets;
- attracting the attention of the owners in order to demand something forbidden from them - permission to sleep on the bed or some kind of delicacy, in a word - manipulation;
- feeling of anxiety - cats have the ability to anticipate certain events that may threaten their serene life, for example, the arrival of guests;
- battle for territory - pets show restlessness at night when moving to a new place or even spending the night in another room;
- sadness and melancholy, characteristic of little kittens who were separated from their mother and taken to a new home for further residence.
Quite often, old cats and cats that are more than 10-15 years old begin to meow at night. It's hard to believe, but it turns out that elderly pets, just like people, can suffer from Alzheimer's disease, which manifests itself in increased restlessness at night. Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure this disease, but you need to try to smooth out its manifestations as much as possible, providing your old and sick pet with maximum attention during the day.