Is sedation the right way to calm the cat, or is it necessary before every grooming session? Make sure you read all the sections of this informational guide on cat sedative for grooming for a complete understanding of this phenomenon.
Whether you are thinking about taking your cat to a groomer’s saloon or planning a DIY grooming session but are worried about your last experience, which is just like a dreadful scene of a horror movie, then wait! Must read our experiences sedation of different kitties.
In this exciting guide, you will learn all the possible methods to sedate a cat, so stay tuned and sit calmly to get the knowledge of both natural and medicated sedative techniques:
Importance of a Cat Sedation for Grooming
Grooming a cat is so tricky that it might end up in a war with your lovely kitty. You may not seem like a fresher look according to your imagination. Even if you plan to clip the hair or trim the claws of your angry cat, sometimes you have to fight with the situation for many hours.
Besides all these, you can sedate your cat to finish this job comfortably. It is the safest way to decorate your cat without any bad accidents. Moreover, it is not necessary every time that you must give heavy drugs to your cat before every grooming activity; rather, the best cat sedative for grooming can be done naturally to save your kitty from medicated side effects. If you are considering the medicated technique, you must take your vet’s consent about the quantity of your selected sedative medicine.
How to Sedative a Cat for Grooming – 3 Easy Ways
Cat grooming can be a tricky process if not handled in the right way. Your cat may show some kind of aggression toward a strange groomer or get upset after any grooming activity. Cat grooming with sedation is the right way to go with these scenarios. The sedative medications work for most professional groomers and are also recommended by most vets.
Here you will get a detailed explanation of all three procedures of cat sedative for grooming:
1. Natural Methods
There are many natural ways to sedate cats for grooming. Cat owners should put all these hacks on top of their list instead of any medication to a sedate cat. There are two basic reasons for adopting this method; one is that it will tackle mild anxiety very well, and the second is no side effects of these techniques.
Now, let’s quickly go through each of these methods one by one:
- Cat Calming Treats – There are many calming treats for cats that de-stress them rather quickly. Valerian, catnip, or chamomile contains the right herbs to relax nervous cats. You will see these natural medications’ positive effects within 20 to 30 minutes.
- Body or Towel Wraps – The warm blanket or towel is the best medication for angry cats. The kitties love the sensation of soft and warm blankets. This magic works in just a couple of minutes and will completely reduce the stress in your cat’s mind.
- Pheromone Diffusers – You can also decrease stress with pheromones. This chemical works the wonders for your cat and will remove anxiety. This method will take some hours but definitely works well in most cases.
- Bach Rescue Remedy – If you want the best cat sedative method without any side effects, you can give some drops of Bach Rescue Remedy before visiting any grooming salon. A few drops of this herbal treatment will eliminate the stress from your kitty.
- Calming Collars – You should reduce the stress of grooming your cat’s head with a calming collar that comfortably fits your kitty’s neck.
2. Medicated Techniques
For some wild cats, the natural techniques may not work, and you must give some sedative drugs to handle them. The cat sedation for grooming can be handled with plenty of medicines. Some important pills with minimum side effects will calm things down easily. In this case, the suggestions of our specialist vet are:
- Acepromazine – Most vets recommend acepromazine to a sedate variety of pets. If you see any aggressive attitude in your cat, you can also calm it down with this medication. It can easily control the nervous activities of the brain and positively affect different pets.
- Benadryl –Benadryl medicine is another popular choice for pet owners and their specialist vets. Although it is not the safest option, especially for cats, this medication can easily sedate your cat for some time.
- Gabapentin – There are multiple purposes of a Gabapentin drug. It will eliminate the anxiety in your cat’s mind and is also quite tasty. Your kitty will easily digest it, and you will see its magic after one to two hours. This medication will reduce the pain in cats, so if you see your cat’s strange behavior after a grooming session, you can give this drug for a quick treatment.
- Trazodone –Trazodone reacts quickly and gives you the desired results within two hours. Another good point of this medication is these tablets are quite affordable and are easily available in all pharmacies.
- Alprazolam – You will notice the relaxed mind of humans after taking Alprazolam. It works in the same way and will treat mild anxiety. However, ensure that you give this medication only after the advice of your vet.
3. General Anesthesia
The fastest method to use cat sedatives for grooming is to give general anesthesia. When you think your kitty is fully unconscious or out of senses, then it’s a better treatment to put on anesthesia.
Must remember here that you can’t determine the need for general anesthesia for your cat at any stage. The vet must advise whether your cat is demanding general anesthesia treatment or not. The main reason for this issue is that there may be some hidden risks carried with this general anesthesia which any professional vet can only see. Therefore, it is so important to take advice from an expert vet before giving anesthesia to your favorite kitty.
When do Cats Need Sedation?
Most cats never need any medicated sedation treatment before grooming. Of course, your kitty is sometimes under stress; and you want to eliminate this anxiety in your loving pet’s mind. So, there are many natural ways available to go with. Giving a medicated sedative to cats for grooming or any other similar activity is not necessary. The cat grooming process can be handled with various short hacks or natural methods.
If you want to prevent this medication and keep your cat happy, then you may deliver their favorite treats or some loveable cuddles. Even if you have long haired kitties, then you can sedate them with an affectionate brushing session.
Your cat only needs sedation treatment when they go wild, or you think the groomer may not handle the cat; otherwise, avoiding this extra drug for your kitty is better.
Which Sedation Method is the Best?
Now a question may arise in your mind: which sedative technique is best for your kitty or how to calm a cat before grooming without any side effects? Of course, not all cats need a medicated sedation method to reduce stress. So, if you still do not get the answer of what can I use to sedate my cat for grooming, then consider the following factors and then choose an ideal method for your lovely kitty for a perfect decision:
- Types of Grooming
Whether you are looking for a nail trimming session or want to cut your cat’s hair, you must know all the grooming activities before deciding about the sedative type. If you can handle this grooming practice easily, you should use one or two natural methods. Still, if you think that you may face plenty of difficulties in it, then you can give the sedative medication for the safety of yourself and your pretty kitty.
- Duration of a Grooming Period
You should also know the exact duration of the next grooming session of your cat. It will also help to decide the right sedative type for your cat. If the activity is short and can be finished within an hour, you should go naturally instead of giving stronger drugs to your cat and sleep with your kitty for the next 10 to 14 hours.
- Stress or Anxiety Level of your Kitty
It is important to figure out the intensity of stress in your cat. If this anxiety level is higher, you should only think about the medicated sedative method; otherwise, you can sedate your cat without giving any stronger dose.
Is it Safe to Sedate a Cat? Groomburg’s Advice
If you are still confused about whether cats can be sedated for grooming, the bad news is that cat sedation has some side effects. It looks like something is going wrong with this procedure.
Whether you want to control your kitty’s anxiety or calm your cat down during a grooming session, you will surely need Benadryl to get this relief. This sedation process will affect a cat in the following ways:
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Allergy
- Hypothermia
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Rapid weight loss or gain
- Uneasiness
- Increase heart rate
Cat Sedative for Grooming – Video Tutorial
If you still find it difficult to manage this process at your own then you must watch this video tutorial to learn more hacks about cat sedation:
Some Natural Remedies to Reduce the Anxiety in Cats
You can also think about natural ways to reduce this anxiety in cats. If you want to know the natural answer of how to sedate a cat for grooming, then you must remember the following therapies to relax your cat before or during any grooming activity:
- Any instant change in the environment will put a positive impact on your cat and seduce them towards a calmer behavior.
- Milk protein or any calming supplement can also relieve tension in your cat’s mind.
- Most vets also recommend herbal treatment.
- Many pet owners naturally use catnip to relax the cats after travel or any grooming activity.
- You can comfort your cats with a towel or any other body wrap.
People Also Ask!
Can I give my cat Benadryl for grooming?
Benadryl is an ideal choice to give your cat before any grooming session. This medication is also safe and an effective cat sedative for grooming.
Can I sedate my cat to trim nails?
To sedate any cat before a nail trimming session is an essential thing. Although you should take a vet’s consent for this act, it will help you easily perform this grooming activity on your cat without scratches or bites.
How do I immobilize my cat for grooming?
Your cat should lie down from the front legs, and your assistant should catch this kitty from behind with the help of a towel firmly on any table is the perfect way to immobilize the cat for any grooming activity.
Do you have to sedate a cat for grooming?
It’s a great approach to sedate cats before grooming them. As a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to consult with the veterinarian before giving your cat any sedative medication.
Can you naturally sedate a cat?
Catnip is the mint type and is quite a popular form of sedating any cat naturally. There is also a valerian plant that can also be used as a sedative medication for cats.
What Else do you Want to Know about Cat Sedation Grooming
I hope you got the answer on how to sedate a cat for grooming. In this informative guide, we have briefly explained the natural and medicated techniques to calm the cat.
Of course, there are certain situations about the nervousness of your kitty, and you should act accordingly for the best results. Most cats don’t require medicated treatment and can be relaxed with natural methods or simple anesthesia. This process is necessary before any grooming session for the safety of the cat and its owner, but make sure you have adopted any method after taking your vet’s advice to maintain your lovely kitty’s health.