Drugs Used to Treat Behavior Problems in Cats
Drugs Used to Treat Behavior Problems in Cats
Drug | Uses | Comments |
|---|---|---|
Tricyclic antidepressants | ||
Amitriptyline | Anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders | Cheaper than many other drugs, but may be more likely to cause adverse effects |
Clomipramine | Anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders, urine marking | |
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors | ||
Fluoxetine | Anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders, urine marking | May take 3 to 4 weeks before affecting behavior; liquid form may be easier to give to some cats |
Paroxetine | Anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders, urine marking | |
Sertraline | Anxiety, aggression, compulsive disorders | |
Azapirones | ||
Buspirone | Anxiety, urine marking | |
Benzodiazepines | ||
Alprazolam | Anxiety | Longer acting than other drugs of this class |
Clonazepam | Anxiety | Also used to control seizures |
Diazepam | Anxiety, urine marking | May cause physical dependence; watch for signs of decreased appetite or depression because this drug has been reported to cause severe liver damage in rare cases |
Monoamine oxidase inhibitor | ||
Selegiline | Cognitive dysfunction (senility) | Approved for use in dogs, but also used as an extra-label medication in cats |