Taking kitty to the vet can be a stressful experience for both of you. The sounds, smells, and unfamiliar environment can trigger anxiety in even the calmest of cats. Many veterinarians are now using Gabapentin, a medication usually intended for us humans – to calm cats before their visits. Let’s explore what Gabapentin is, how it works, and why vets are turning to this medication to make visits to the Doc a much better experience for all involved.
What Is Gabapentin?
It’s technically an anticonvulsant and nerve pain medication commonly prescribed for humans to treat conditions like epilepsy, neuropathic pain, and restless leg syndrome. In recent years, veterinarians have discovered that Gabapentin has a calming effect on cats (in doses made exclusively for cats), making it extremely useful for reducing anxiety and stress during vet visits or even times when you’re traveling or grooming your cat.
How does it work in cats?
It affects the neurotransmitters in their little kitty brain that play a role in pain perception and anxiety. The exact mechanism isn’t fully understood, however, it is believed that Gabapentin calms cats by reducing nerve activity in their brain, which helps to ease anxiety and create a sense of calmness.
Cats metabolize Gabapentin differently from humans. The dosages prescribed by vets are carefully calculated based on the cat’s weight, age, and health status. Typically, the medication is administered a few hours before the vet visit to give it enough time to take effect.
Why it’s highly recommended by Vets
Many vets recommend Gabapentin for cats who show signs of severe anxiety, stress, or aggression during vet visits. Here are a few reasons why it has become a go-to solution:
- It Minimizes Stress: Gabapentin helps reduce the cat’s fear and anxiety, leading to a calmer experience at the vet. This makes it an easier, safer, more pleasant experience for both doctor and cat. Your Vet is able to treat your baby without the added stress of your cat being frightened or worse – aggressive.
- It Reduces Aggression: Cats can become defensive when they’re scared. Gabapentin helps prevent aggressive behaviors like hissing, scratching, or biting, making the visit safer for both the cat and the veterinary staff.
- It Eases Physical Discomfort: Cats that suffer from chronic pain, such as arthritis, may benefit from Gabapentin as it also has pain-relieving properties. This can be especially helpful if the vet visit involves a physical examination or procedures that might cause discomfort.
- It Enhances Overall Well-being: By reducing the stress associated with vet visits, Gabapentin can help improve the overall well-being of the cat. Lowering stress levels can have long-term positive effects on their health.
So, How Do You Administer This Magic Potion?
It’s usually given in liquid or capsule form. I prefer the liquid myself. I mix it right in with their wet food which they get twice a day, morning and evening. My Vet recommends giving the medication 1-2 hours before the vet visit or even one dose the night before and the morning of. Remember, as with any doctors orders, it’s imperative that you follow your vet’s instructions carefully.
Kitty needs the FULL PRESCRIBED DOSE for the medication to be effective. This can sometimes be challenging, as cats are known to be finicky about taking medicine. I recommend mixing the liquid (yes – get the liquid form!) in with their wet food. If your cat doesn’t eat or like wet food, then you may be in for a rougher time. You can always use one of those syringes and put them in “Buritto Hold” and squirt it into the side of their mouth.
Are There Side Effects?
As with any medication, for cats, dogs, humans or Guinea Pigs, side effects may occur. I don’t know if you’ve ever read the paper that comes with any medication that you personally take. The list of side effect is sometimes rather scary. Does that deter you from taking it? I daresay in most instances folks just toss that info and take what the doctor prescribed. Same with Gabapentin and cats. Your Vet won’t prescribe something for Precious that’s gonna kill ‘im or ‘er. Some – mind you, some – cats get overly drowsy, which is mild and temporary. Some cats will experience slight unsteadiness or coordination issues. It’s also been found that in some RARE cases, more serious side effects like vomiting, diarrhea, or allergic reactions can occur. If you notice any of these (again I stress) RARE symptoms – get in touch with your Vet immediately.
Be sure and let your Vet know about any other medications or supplements your cat is taking as well. Gabapentin can interact with other drugs. Same goes for us humans!
In Conclusion
Gabapentin really is a valuable tool for calming your cat before vet visits, making the experience less stressful for both the cat and the veterinary team. But don’t take all this as Gospel. If this topic interests you, please, please, PLEASE – talk to your favorite Veterinarian about it. So take heart my friends. With the right approach, it’s possible to make trips to the vet a much more pleasant experience for you and your kitty.
If you found this post helpful, share it with other cat owners who might benefit from learning a bit about Gabapentin as an option for calming their pets during vet visits. Your feline friend’s next trip to the vet could be much smoother and stress-free!
Ciao,
Disclaimer: The information and opinions herein are based on personal research. My Blog posts are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a Licensed Veterinarian nor am I any sort of medical professional. I am merely a human who takes caring for my pets seriously. My goal is to share my research with other like-minded individuals with the hope that it will help others in some small (or perhaps large) way.
