Behavioral medications for cats — including antidepressants, anxiolytics, and antipsychotics — are underutilized tools that can dramatically improve quality of life for cats with anxiety, compulsive disorders, and aggression.
Cats experiencing anxiety disorders, compulsive behaviors, or aggression are suffering — these conditions reduce quality of life substantially and are not character traits to be accommodated. The stigma around medicating pets for behavioral conditions leads to unnecessary suffering when medication could provide relief. Fear-free veterinary practices now recognize that many cats experiencing routine veterinary visits benefit from pre-visit pharmaceutical calming. Behavioral pharmacology in cats has advanced considerably, with newer options including long-acting injectable medications. Access to board-certified veterinary behaviorists remains limited, but general practice veterinarians can manage many cases effectively.