5 ways to reduce anxiety in cats before going on holiday
If your cat is used to you being around you all day then leaving them to go on holiday can be a stressful time. Especially if your cat is quite nervous. I get lots of inquiries from cat ‘pawrents’ who are worried about leaving their anxious cats. Although I know that the cats will settle after a few days it’s still a worry. I spoke to Wendy Lovatt, a Reiki Master Healer about the different ways we can reduce anxiety in cats to help them have a stress free holiday.
Meet Wendy, A Reiki Master Healer
Wendy specialises in helping and healing animals using the ancient Japanese technique of Reiki to reduce stress and energy imbalances. Reiki works well alongside veterinary care. However Reiki doesn’t rely on the animal being present, Wendy works with animals all over the world in her distance Reiki practice. This can be a huge benefit for anxious or aggressive cats and dogs, especially when they feel more comfortable in their own surroundings, as Wendy doesn’t even need to intrude on their safe space.
As a Reiki Master healer, Wendy works with many cats ” The majority of my clients are distance Reiki, which really helps cats, as many of them can be wary of strangers in a physical presence. In fact, all animals love to receive distantly because they receive it when they are at rest and usually while they are sleeping. As many of you know, the body heals better when sleeping, so my practice is to focus on when the animal is asleep or at least resting so that they gain the most from a session.”
Reiki helps to calm and relax the cat, bringing them back into balance. This can help in times of stress such as, with house moves, grooming sessions, when you’re going away, etc. It can help with pain relief, particularly to after illness, injury or an operation; as it can also help to speed up the healing process. Improves sleep, can help with depression, arthritis can help to reduce the effects of chemotherapy and general well-being, to name a few. It can also, help with palliative care and a more peaceful passing, something I know we don’t want to think about, as we want our animals with us forever.
Wendy Lovatt, Reiki Master Healer
Wendy does emphasise that “one thing a good Reiki practitioner/master will never do is diagnose your animal, tell you that they can cure your animal or that they don’t need to see a vet. This is simply not true. A vet must be seen first so a diagnosis can be made and treatment advised.”
1. Teach them to love the cat carrier
Most cats only see the cat carrier when it appears to take them to the vets. Depending on the personality of your cat it could be a battle trying to get them in the carrier. They may wail and cry in anticipation of what’s to come.
As lovely as vets are to us, a cat might disagree. The vet usually prods, pokes, grabs and stabs them with their annual booster. Your cat quickly learns to associate the carrier with a negative experience. As cat parents and guardians we need to break the cycle and reduce their anxiety associated with the carrier.
If the cat has only ever been to the vets in the cat carrier or another place with negative memories, then the cat needs to be desensitised to the carrier.
Wendy Lovatt, Reiki Master Healer
This should be done slowly. Make the cat carrier a fun place to hang out and a place that doesn’t mean going somewhere not fun”. As everybody that works with cats will tell you the best way to get a cat to like a carrier is t leave it out for them.
Place a blanket or treats inside and let them explore it or use it as another sleeping space.
Wendy also recommends, once your cat feels happier about the carrier, to take them out for short car rides. Get them used to being out in the carrier, but not to the vets. As soon as you get home treat them for being good. They’ll soon learn that the carrier no longer means something scary will happen.
2. Talk to your cat
I’m always talking to my cats including the ones I look after. Cats understand more than we realise. The way we communicate with our cat can either heighten or reduce anxiety levels. This works for cats who stay at home all day whilst you go to work or cats getting ready for a holiday. Whatever the reason for leaving your cat Wendy encourages you to talk to your cat. Before your cats holiday “Tell him or her what a fantastic time they are going to have. Tell them all the wonderful things they will do there and add in that you will be going to x place, but will be coming back to collect them after x number of days.”
3. Reduce your own anxiety levels
Cats pick up on our energies and stress levels and packing for a holiday can be a very stressful time. Suitcases are like cat carriers, your cat starts to associate it with you leaving them. But leaving them doesn’t have to be a bad experience, especially when they stay at The Great Catsby. Try to pack without your cat being there. Them jumping in and out of your suitcase or sleeping on your pile of holiday clothes isn’t always ideal for creating a relaxed and calm experience for you or your feline companion.
If you’re worried about leaving your cat then they will be worried too. They will sense your negative feelings and react accordingly. To help reduce your cat’s anxiety levels, “think happy thoughts, visual your cat having fun in their room with Jenny spoiling them. They will pick up those thoughts.”
4. Help your cat to be calm
Pet Remedy is a great blend or pet safe essential oils that can help cats relax. I use the plug-in diffuser in every room but I also have the spray and wipes on hand for any particularly nervous cats. Pet Remedy is recommended for all animals as they pick up on the calming scent and feel more at ease.
Another aid to reduce anxiety in cats is with a distance Reiki session. As a Riki Master healer, Wendy can help unblock the stress and anxiety to improve their well being. These sessions can be done before or during their holiday. The benefit of distance Reiki is Wendy doesn’t need to physically be with your cat.
5. Reduce anxiety levels and give your cat lots of attention
After all the preparations it is finally time to leave your cat at a cattery or cat hotel. As hard as it may feel, being happy it is the best emotion for your cat. They will sense you’re content so they don’t feel any need to worry or be scared. As mentioned above keep talking to them, they may stay in their carrier but that’s fine. Tell them when you’ll be back, how much fun and love they will have when you return. Leave a t-shirt, blanket or bed from home, the familiar scent will help them settle and remind them of home.
If your cat chooses to stay in the carrier when you arrive leave them in it. As tempting as it is to nudge them out or lift them out of the carrier it may confuse them more. Cat’s need to make sure their surroundings are safe. When they first arrive the carrier is often the safest place for them. As soon as they feel more confident and less anxious, they will come out and explore. From my experience, I’ve found that the cats who are free to leave the carrier when they choose, often settle quicker. And if your cat is hiding when you bring them in, they certainly won’t be hiding when you collect them.
For more information about Wendy and her distance Reiki sessions visit her website at www.reikianimalhealer.com. Or find her on Facebook at ReikiAnimalHealer7 or Instagram Reiki_Animal_Healer.