Prozac for Cats: A Medication for Ongoing Stress and Anxiety
Key takeaways:
Prozac (fluoxetine) is a medication that can manage long-term stress and anxiety in cats.
Prozac can help with behavioral problems in cats caused by stress, such as pooping outside the litter box and compulsive grooming.
Prozac is well-tolerated by most cats. But it can cause side effects, such as appetite changes, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Table of contents
Just like people, cats can experience chronic stress. Things such as changes to their routine or visitors to your home can keep your cat on edge.
High stress levels in cats can lead to behavioral issues, such as not using a litter box and becoming aggressive. Sometimes enrichment activities and environmental modifications can help. But veterinarians often recommend medications such as Prozac (fluoxetine) as an additional tool to manage anxiety in cats.
Here we’ll discuss Prozac as an anxiety treatment for cats.
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Prozac for cats at a glance
Common names | Prozac (fluoxetine) |
What it treats | Chronic anxiety and certain behavioral issues in cats |
How it comes (forms) | Tablet, oral liquid, capsule, topical lotion |
Dosage | Based on your cat’s weight |
Common side effects | Low energy, reduced grooming, appetite changes, digestive upset |
Average cost |
What is Prozac for cats, and how does it work?
Prozac (fluoxetine) is in a class of medications called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. These medications block the brain’s ability to remove serotonin, a chemical messenger associated with good moods. This causes serotonin to last longer in the brain and, in turn, increases feelings of well-being and reduces fear and anxiety levels for cats.
What is Prozac used for in cats?
Prozac is used to treat ongoing stress, anxiety, and behavioral problems in cats. It can reduce stress that leads to behavioral issues, such as:
Compulsive grooming or pulling hair out
Hyperesthesia syndrome, which causes extreme scratching or licking
Aggression toward people or other pets
Prozac for cats is often prescribed along with training and behavioral modification. Think of Prozac as a tool that can help cats stay calm for long periods of time. This gives cat owners time to change their cat’s environment to reduce stress. The combination of environmental changes, enrichment activities, and medication can work together to lower a cat’s stress and anxiety.
Prozac usage is considered extra-label or off-label, which means it’s not approved by the FDA for use in cats. But veterinarians commonly prescribe it to treat chronic stress in cats.
Short-term, situational medications, including Xanax (alprazolam), are used for an occasional event that causes anxiety, such as a trip to the vet or travel. They should not be used to treat a cat with daily stress.
Relief for short-term anxiety: Xanax can treat situational anxiety in cats, such as stress caused by veterinary visits or travel. Here’s what you need to know if your cat is prescribed this medication.
Vet stress: Does your cat freak out when they visit a vet? These seven tips can help calm your kitty.
Vet visits: Learn how often you should take your cat to a vet. It depends on their age and medical needs.
What is the dosage for cats, and how is it given?
Prozac is available for cats in both brand-name and generic formulations. It comes in several forms, including:
Tablet
Capsule
Flavored liquid
Topical lotion (rubbed on the inside of a cat’s ear)
The standard dosage of Prozac for cats is 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg per kg of body weight once a day. An average dose is 5 mg daily. A veterinarian will choose the most appropriate dosage for your cat. It can be given with or without food.
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Daily anxiety medications for cats, including Prozac, can take weeks to reach their full effect. They should be given every day on a schedule, whether your cat acts stressed or not.
It’s important to remember that Prozac is not a quick fix. The medication takes time to take effect and works best in conjunction with enrichment activities and environmental changes.
What are the common side effects of Prozac in cats?
The most common side effects of Prozac in cats include low energy and reduced grooming. Additional side effects in cats can include:
Appetite changes (eating more or less than normal)
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased nervousness or agitation
Cats typically experience side effects when they first start taking Prozac. But those side effects tend to disappear as a cat gets used to the medication.
Fluoxetine can cause a cat to want to eat more, so monitor your cat’s weight and appetite to help them avoid unhealthy weight gain.
What are the most serious risks of Prozac for cats?
Although rare, there are some serious side effects with fluoxetine in cats. These include:
Symptoms of serotonin syndrome (too much serotonin in the body), such as tremors, fever, fast heart rate, and agitation
Aggression toward their owner
Insomnia
If your cat experiences severe side effects or their side effects persist, contact a veterinarian immediately.
Use Prozac with caution or avoid giving it to cats that have a history of:
Liver disease
Heart conditions
Prozac is generally best avoided in cats with seizure disorders. But discuss this with a vet to determine what’s best for your cat.
Do not abruptly stop giving your cat Prozac. It can make their anxiety worse. If you need to stop giving fluoxetine to your cat, work with a veterinarian to taper them off the medication. This can reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Does Prozac interact with any other cat medications?
Fluoxetine may interact with other medications, including:
Other sedatives or behavioral medications, such as gabapentin
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs), such as meloxicam
Cyproheptadine
Diuretics
Anticoagulants
Tell your veterinarian about any medications or supplements your cat takes before they prescribe Prozac.
What should you do if your cat misses a dose of Prozac?
If you miss giving your cat a dose of Prozac, give them their next dose as soon as you remember. Resume their regular dosing schedule the next day. Never double up to make up for a missed dose, as this can lead to a toxic overdose.
The bottom line
Sometimes, stressed cats need a chill pill. Prozac (fluoxetine) for cats is used to treat chronic stress and behavioral issues. It is often prescribed along with stress-relieving environmental modifications and enrichment activities. The combination can help curb problems such as pooping outside a litter box and compulsive grooming.
But Prozac isn’t appropriate for all cats. It can cause serious side effects in cats with medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. If your cat is chronically stressed, talk to a veterinarian to see if Prozac is right for your pet.
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References
Brooks, W. (2023). Fluoxetine (Reconcile, Prozac). Veterinary Partner.
Buffington, C. A. T., et al. (2020). Stress and feline health. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice.
Capuzzi, J. (2023). Medicine to ease the feline mind. DVM360.
Cornell Feline Health Center. (2016). Feline lower urinary tract disease.
Cornell Feline Health Center. (2021). Hyperesthesia syndrome.
DiCiccio, V. K., et al. (2022). Fluoxetine-induced urinary retention in a cat. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports.
Hart, B. L., et al. (2005). Control of urine marking by use of long-term treatment with fluoxetine or clomipramine in cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Shell, L. (2015). Psychotropic agents. Merck Veterinary Manual.
The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (n.d.). Environmental enrichment resources and references.
