Stephanie Borns-Weil, DVM, discusses behavior challenges with cats, when drugs can help and the classes of drugs used with feline behavior problems.
The anxiety- or fear-induced feline behavioral problems that most frequently call for the use of these medications are
- aggression toward other animals or toward a cat’s owners
- urine spraying, the method that a cat uses to scent-mark her territory
- a variety of fears and phobias
Source: Tufts Catnip, September 2017. Link.The medications fall into one of three categories:
- selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
- tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs)
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MOAIs)
These drugs are generally administered on a daily basis; the dosage may vary, and it can take four to six weeks or so to determine whether a given drug is effective.
INSIGHTS: Dr. Borns-Weil does mention behavior modification techniques but does not refer to pheromones. AHD sponsor Ceva Animal Health provides several options to help modify feline behavior in its FELIWAY® line of products. < link >