Cats Antidepressants ?

[EDDIE51]

Yesterday I heard an article on the radio saying that there is a huge increase in antidepressants being prescribed by vets for cats. Apparently the stress of modern living is too much for the poor moggies!
Did I mishear ? is this a joke? or are vets really prescribing antidepressants for cats?
If so I am sure it is a 'rip off' to charge gullible cat owners money for unnecessary treatment. What do they prescribe 'Moggiedon' ?

[boxtops]

I've not heard that one, I will look. Cats are prone to stress, certainly, and our house is populated with pheromone sprays to try to calm them.

[Peter Pedant]

should work

see the confuse a cat sketch

[Cloverjo]

I read an article that said cats are becoming more stressed because they go out less and/or have to share increasingly smaller houses with more people, giving them less space and privacy.
They need to be able to disappear and be alone for lots of the time, otherwise they get stressed.

[boxtops]

Ah - it's not for depression per se, it's for anxiety - and I can vouch that cats get very anxious. http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/pets-and-antidepressants-5-reasons-why-your-vet-would-prescribe-them

[wolf63]

Somebody was telling me that they had seven cats and they all got on beautifully and never fought -yeah and I believe that. My two are siblings but not very loving siblings.

It is easier to read a dog's body language and know if they are unwell or stressed in any way.

Cats are more subtle. Cats can also be huge bullies - breaking into the home of other cats and eating their food or sleeping in the other cat's bed.

I take Frankie to the vet every four weeks and he is not too keen on the trip - I use Feliway spray but he is still upset when we get home.

I heard of cats getting Prozac about 20 years ago. The good thing is that a cat can leave home if they are not happy. Alas my two are indoor cats.

[woofgang]

I have got serious doubts about whether cats as as widely suited to be pets as is commonly thought. It used to be believed that cats were "easier" pets than dogs and I am not sure that this is true either...Its just that in general they don't need what dogs need in the way of human companionship and interaction.
The other thing is that whether you agree with it or not, a lot of time and effort has been expended on breeding dogs to fit in with humans. I'm not sure that the same thing has been done to/for cats

I've got dogs not cats btw.