Massive
publicity about a new pharmacological treatment for separation anxiety in
dogs (Clomicalm,
Novartis Animal Health) has clued most pet owners in to the
existence and nature of separation anxiety in that species. In
addition, many parents have heard of separation anxiety that affects
some sensitive children going to school for the first time. But what
most people don’t know is that separation anxiety can affect cats,
too.
Cats with separation anxiety don’t howl and bay like dogs and they
don’t chew on doors and windowsills in frantic attempts to escape.
Their misery is far less obvious and it sometimes takes a sleuth of
an owner to appreciate what is going on. Separation anxiety in any
species implies a lack of confidence and an over-dependence on
others. It is likely that genetic factors play a role in increasing
susceptibility to separation anxiety though environmental factors
are ultimately responsible for its expression. Genetic factors
include emotional sensitivity and a predisposition toward anxiety.
Certain oriental breeds, such as Siamese and Burmese, may be more
prone to develop separation anxiety than cats with more robust
temperaments, like Maine coons.
Environmental factors often involve improper
bonding experiences when cats are young. Orphaned kittens, early-weaned
kittens, and pet store bought kittens are probably at the greatest risk of
developing this stressful condition. Combine the sensitive personality with
inappropriate lifetime experiences and you have a recipe for
disaster of this kind.
Signs
of feline behavioral problems are:
- Over-attachment
to the owner, following that person from room to room around the house.
- Distress as the
owner prepares to depart (so-called pre-departure anxiety). This can take
many forms but some of the more common presentations are meowing, sulking,
apparent depression, slinking away, and hiding.
- Vocalization
(crying, moaning, meowing) right after the owner has left (you might need to
set a tape recorder to check this sign).
- Anorexia – the
affected cat is often too anxious to eat when left alone.
- Inappropriate
elimination – often in the form of urine marking, though fecal marking may
also sometimes occur. Deposits of urine or feces are often near to the door
from which the owner has departed or are on that person’s clothing, bed
sheets, or other personal effects.
- Vomiting - only
in the owner’s absence.
- Excessive
self-grooming. This starts as a displacement behavior but can progress to
compulsive self-grooming, if unchecked. In the latter scenario, excessive
self-grooming no longer occurs only when the owner is away but will also be
expressed during the owner’s presence.
- Destructive
behavior – rare, but some cats may claw and scratch door edges presumably in
an attempt to escape from their solitary confinement.
- Exuberant
greeting behavior – as if greeting a long lost friend that they did not
expect to see ever again.
Treatment
Experts suggest leaving the radio on to help
your cats separation anxiety. The "white noise" effect of the radio
drowns out the otherwise perturbing sounds. But the noise from the
radio can be just as abrasive for your cat. We offer a product that
will sooth your cats anxiety with carefully isolated sounds
specifically chosen for the calming effects they have on your cats
subconscious.
Products
Offered for Cats - Available on CD or Cassette Tape with your
choice of musical or natural sounds (see order page for details).
For only $16.95 each. All CDs and tapes can be Customized.
Separation
Anxiety- Order code-SA
Help eliminate the anxiety or depression your pet feels when you're
not around. Nothing is worse for your pets mental health than the
lonely and abrasive sounds of an empty house. This CD not only masks
the unnatural sounds that cause anxiety with the music of your
choice but it also contains the soothing sounds of your pets natural
environment. Stop worrying every time you leave your pet to go to
work or out to the store. Just pop in this CD and ensure that your
pet has a stress free environment when your not around.
Speed
Healing- Order code-SH
Does your pet have an illness or a
physical ailment? Has your pet had a recent operation or surgery?
Speed up his or her recovery time with this revolutionary new CD. We
have isolated the sounds of nature that have been proven to boost
the immune system and accelerate the healing process. Placed at a
subsonic level under the music of your choice you can give your pet
the fast and comfortable recovery it deserves by simply playing a
CD!
Taming Aggression- Order code-TA
Specifically designed for aggressive or agitated pets this CD
contains the natural sounds that have the greatest calming effects.
Sounds alert animals to danger and let them know when to relax.
Overly aggressive animals are often being negatively stimulated by
hostile sounds. We have found the sounds that work best to tame the
wild beast so that you can enjoy a stress free and peaceful
relationship with your beloved pet.
Restful Sleep- Order code-RS
One of the most troubling problems we encounter is animal insomnia.
The reason this condition is so problematic is because the symptoms
are so varied. We have seen pets that are aggressive, sluggish,
un-responsive, distracted, over-eating, under-eating, and even prone
to self mutilation, all because they weren't getting enough sleep.
It is often easy for pet owners to assume that their pets are
getting sleep at night or when they are away. If your pet is
behaving in uncharacteristic manner it may be suffering from animal
insomnia. This CD is designed to bring peace to your pet and enable
an environment that promotes deep and restful sleep.
Call
of the Wild- Order code-CW
While an overactive pet is sometimes cause for concern, a lethargic
pet can be just as worrisome. We have developed a CD that revives
pets of all ages and encourages an active lifestyle.
Appetite
Stimulator- Order code-AS
During the course of our
research we were surprised by how often we ran into pets who lacked
appetite. We decided to Attempt this problem using sound. After
years of research and testing we finally found a combination that
helped to restore appetite. Using the sounds of early animal
development we have been able to stimulate appetite in a variety of
animals from cats to cattle.
