naturalPET/ NUTRITION FOR DOGS & C ATS
Cat Calm and Carry On
These simple tips can help a stressed-out cat feel safe and secure ///BY JEAN HOFVE, DVM
The holidays are almost upon us. But
while we humans may look forward
to the festivities, our cats may have a
less favorable view. After all, cats love
routine and feel most secure when what
they expect to happen is what happens.
Cats hate change. And therein lies the
problem. Decorations, visiting friends and
relatives, parties … all of these can throw
your cat off balance.
Fortunately, there are many simple
and safe ways to help your cat cope with
the craziness of this time of year (or any
other time when changes are afoot).
Some are best when used regularly for a
few days or weeks; others can be applied
on the spot.
Quick Fixes
* Acupressure
Acupressure is a way to direct the energy
flowing through the traditional meridians
and acupuncture points without using
needles. Instead, you use your fingers to
gently press or rub on the points.
There are two points on what is
referred to as the “governing vessel” that
are helpful for calming:
42 • NOVEMBER
1. GOVERNING VESSEL 20. This is the meeting
point of all the yang (energetic, positive,
hot, active, male principle) meridians. To
find this point, run your finger along the
midline ridge (sagittal crest) of the cat’s
head. When it crosses an imaginary line
drawn across the head from one ear to
the other, there will be a slight depres-
sion or dip in the ridge bone. That’s the
spot! Either just hold your finger there, or
use short easy strokes from front to back
along the dip. You can do this a couple
times a day or during a stressful period.
2. YIN TANG. This is not specifically an acu-
puncture point, though it does lie along
the governing vessel meridian. Located
between and slightly above the eyes, it’s
called by some the “third eye.” The yin
tang is sometimes referred to as the
acupuncture “chill pill.” You can gently
press this point with one finger, or rub
it as you do with governing vessel 20.
However, I have found that many cats
prefer a slightly different technique. Lay
your finger lengthwise over the spot
where the fur of the nose meets the fur
of the head, and move it back and forth
across that point. This will be an unfamiliar
feeling, but cats seem to greatly enjoy
it. Yin tang settles the mind and reduces
emotional restlessness and anxiety. It
works very quickly. Use as often as needed.
* Flower Essences
Flower essences such as Bach Rescue
Remedy are great for instant relief from
fear and anxiety. Put a few drops on your
hands and rub the cat’s head and ears,
or put a drop or two on your finger and
touch the cat’s lips. It is not necessary
for the cat to swallow them (although
you can give them by mouth with an
eyedropper, or add to food and/or water).
You can even put a dropperful in a spray
bottle and spritz around the house (or
carrier or car) to infuse “happy juice”
into the air; it works much better than
chemical air fresheners.
* Massage
If you’ve ever had a massage, you know
how calm and relaxed you feel after-
ward. It works the same way on cats!
First, make sure you are in a tranquil
and relaxed state. Talk to the cat in low,
soft tones. Start at the shoulders and,
naturalPET

with an open hand, stroke slowly along painful contraction of

the back to the tail. Repeat several times. the cut tendons. Did You
Once the cat has relaxed a bit, you can Know?
experiment with gentle massage of the Long-Term Play therapy engages
neck and shoulder muscles. Strategies the cat’s mind, body,
and emotions.
Move down the spine with your * Supplements
fingers to either side of it, on the spinal Certain supplements can
muscles rather than the bones. Notice help cats cope with stress.
if any of those muscle spots triggers a Note: Look for products
twitch or protest. Those muscles run specifically formulated for cats.
along what’s known in acupuncture COLOSTRUM (in supplement form) is
as the Bladder Meridian, and contain taken from the first milk a cow produces
“alarm points” connected to the internal for her calf. It’s loaded with nutrients,
organs. If you find an alarm point, be very growth factors, lipids, and proteins. And
gentle around it. it helps balance the immune system and
If your cat is amenable, massage restore the gut’s protective lining. It is
the corners of the mouth, around the higher in calcium and magnesium than
ears, and on the paws. Massaging regular milk, and these minerals are
the paws is especially important for important for proper muscle function.
declawed cats, to prevent or alleviate Calcium is also a natural muscle relaxer.

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*Th
 VITAMINS B (thiamine) and B are
important antistress compounds. They
are needed for proper transmission of
nerve impulses, among other functions.
Give B-vitamin supplements in the
morning, as they can be slightly stimulating.
B-vitamins are destroyed by heat
processing, and tend to be deficient in
some canned cat foods.
L-THEANINE, an amino acid that is
derived from green tea, is a component
of several antianxiety products for pets.
L-theanine is beneficial for relaxation
and sleep; it is calming, but not sedating.
Commonly used herbs for relaxation
include CHAMOMILE, HOPS, VALERIAN,
SKULLCAP, and PASSIONFLOWER. Valerian
acts a bit like catnip, so don’t be surprised
if it’s somewhat stimulating in the first 30
minutes; however, the relaxing benefits
Jean Hofve, DVM, is a holistically oriented veterinarian and coauthor of Paleo Dog: Give Your Best Friend a Long Life, Healthy Weight, and Freedom from Illness by Nurturing His Inner Wolf.
will soon kick in and can last for several
hours. These herbs can be found as single
supplements or in combination formulas.
Don’t give more than 50 mg a day of any
of them except valerian, which can be
dosed up to 200 mg. While these herbs
can act fairly quickly in an emergency
situation, daily use during stressful times
may be more beneficial.
* Play Therapy
Regularly scheduled (ideally, daily),
interactive play sessions are one of the
best ways to keep a cat emotionally
balanced and physically healthy—and a
healthy, balanced cat is in a much better
position to handle unexpected stresses.
Fishing-pole type toys are ideal for
play therapy. You want to play to the
point of exhaustion to get the most
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
benefits. Sessions typically last 15–20
minutes for an average adult cat, but
that’s just a guideline. A young, active
cat will need a lot more action than a
mature one. Follow the session with a
high-protein snack such as canned food
or meat baby food.
Play therapy engages the cat’s mind,
body, and emotions. It taps into the
deep hunter instinct and allows the
cat to fully express the entire range
of hunting behaviors. You, holding the
“prey,” stimulate these instincts and
behaviors in your cat.
Play therapy can prevent and resolve
a wide range of behavior problems and
physical ailments. It not only satisfies the
cat’s hunter nature, but also helps cats
reach or maintain a healthy weight, and
helps to prevent stress-related diseases.
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