Anti-anxiety meds for a scaredy cat?

[Beaverhausen]

My 11 year old has always been skittish, nervous and unsociable except for with me. She will sometimes come out when we have guests but only if they are relatively quiet and sitting down.

She always runs from my husband, who she has known since I got her. Tonight she tripped him and he hit his head hard on a kitchen cabinet. He's not happy.

I think to save my marriage I have to try something. I have heard of people giving Buspar to cats.

Anyone try it? Any other suggestions?

Also, I have not been able to get her into a carrier in years-she hasn't been to a vet since she was very small. I'm hoping a vet will give me something for her sight unseen but not sure if that will happen.

thanks!

[meti57b]

1. Have you tried .....

...setting the carrier on end with the opening facing up, and lowering the cat into the carrier?

About the husband, ..... you might be able to give him away or something. ...(just kidding!)

[Curmudgeoness]

2. This is how I have to get my cat in the carrier.

And it still isn't easy. Not just stand the carrier on it's end, but hold the cat's back legs together so he doesn't splay them to keep from going in. Ugh, the things that we do!

And I once seriously suggested someone get rid of the husband instead of the cat. But he was garbage.

[Walk away]

3. Cover your cats eyes with a towel or scarf as you lower him. I find it works 99% of the time...

If your cat is one of the 1% then he probably thinks corporations are people! I can't help him.

[Warpy]

4. I'd probably try Feliway on her before putting her on drugs

Even with pill pockets, pilling a cat every day is not fun and my CRF kitty is a peach about it, all things considered.

Feliway doesn't work on all cats, but you can get a little squirt bottle of it to test it out. Spray it on something she usually gives a wide berth to (I used it on the cat carrier). If it's working, she'll start to approach whatever it is and rub her cheeks on it. It's hilarious to watch my cat love that cat carrier, she hates the thing.

If it works on your cat, you can invest in Feliway diffusers that will circulate happy kitty pheromone through your house. No, they don't smell like anything. Yes, your cat will calm down.

My own kitty was abused before I got her and required a bit of taming down. The only other person she's ever really warmed up to was my dad. That's OK with me.