Odd question. My little rescue kitty has severe ptsd from his life on the street.

[niyad]

Every sound bothers him, even a car door closing next door. It just now occurred to me to wonder if a white noise machine would help, or, like with me, the sound would make it worse for him.

Does anybody here have any experience with this? I give him Quiet Moments melatonin from Naturvet when I know that things will be really noisy, but we are looking at a major construction project in our neighborhood soon, which will be torture for both of us.

Thank you for listening.

[SheltieLover]

1. Pheremones or CBD?

Play classical music?

Use Rescue Remedy or 5-Flower Essence (Bach vs FES brands, respectively. Both work.)

[niyad]

12. I cannot be around cbd's, but I will try the others you mentioned. We have a

Natural Grocers right down the street.

[wnylib]

44. Felliway spray helps my cat to calm down.

It is natural feline pheromones.

[niyad]

46. Thank you.

[SheltieLover]

51. Health store might have pheremones

But pet store will!

Grocer should have flower essences. As will any holistic vet. Most rescue orgs use these.

Good luck! Pls let us know how kitty is doing?

[niyad]

53. Thank you. Will do.

[SheltieLover]

56. Yw!

[electric_blue68]

50. I was going to suggest Bach Flowers RR. So, cool right out of the gate.

Poor little one.

[niyad]

54. Thank you. He is such a sweet boy.

[Phoenix61]

2. I have had great success with pheromones.

I got the kit that had 3 defusers and 6 bottles of pheromones. They have made a huge difference. CJ would freak out if I opened the blinds. Now he just looks at me.

[niyad]

13. Where does one get these?

[jmbar2]

18. Be careful of diffusers and scents with cats

Aromatherapy is bad for cats.

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/blog/essential-oils-cats/

[niyad]

22. Oh my word, thank you for this. I just got one of those plug-in diffusers as a

loyalty gift yesterday, have not yet opened it up. Now I won't. He does not seem to mind incense (my previous cats LOVED incense!), or scented candles, but I will pay very close attention next time I use them.

[womanofthehills]

40. Here is an article on diffusers and pets

https://allnaturalpetcare.com/blog/2018/02/27/common-diffuser-essential-oils-may-toxic-dogs-cats-birds-pets/

[niyad]

42. Thank you. A most interesting read.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

57. This is correct, but Feliway (feline pheremone replica) is something different - it is not

aromatherapy or chemical fragrance

[Phoenix61]

32. I use comfort zone and get it on Amazon. nt

[Walleye]

3. Try singing quietly.it used to calm my kitten down. It might help calm you a little anyway

[niyad]

14. Hmmm. He does like me talking to him.

[XanaDUer2]

4. Try Feliway diffusers nt

[niyad]

15. Where does one get these?

[Ocelot II]

23. Most pet stores carry them, and Amazon (of course).

I've been using a Feliway diffuser for a long time, first to calm one cat down so he didn't pee in the wrong places, and then to calm another one down so she didn't poo in the wrong places and hide from the guy who's been painting my walls. It's been working for us.

[niyad]

26. Will check next time I am there, so thank you.

[Phoenix61]

33. In my personal opinion comfort zone is just as

good and costs less.

[niyad]

34. Thank you. I will look for it.

[XanaDUer2]

31. I see ads on tv

So they may be available on Chewy.

[niyad]

35. Thank you.

[XanaDUer2]

36. Here's hoping your kitty feels better

[niyad]

37. Thank you so much. I am hoping that at least some of the noise and activity

will settle down, at least for a while. And I am hoping that the construction project will be canceled, for all our sakes. Fingers crossed for citizens speaking out.

[Budi]

5. Sorry to hear this about your kitty. We have a rescue pup that has the same ptsd.

We can't take her for a walk unless we carry her part way 1st.
Every car that passes us or voice she hears triggers a shaking panic.
She has not gotten better in the 2 years we've had her.
We just let her call the shots as far as her security goes.
Its sad to witness, but we certainly do hold her in those moments.

Best of luck to you & all you can really do is provide comfort & a safe place for them.

🍃

[niyad]

16. Thank you. I just want him to be happy and feel safe.

[Peregrine Took]

6. We play Bach cello music all the time on low volume to calm nerves - ours and dog's. n/t

[niyad]

21. Now there is a thought.

[wnylib]

45. Low pitch sounds like the cello music

should be soothing.

Try holding and cuddling the cat when it's noisy if it will tolerate being held.

Also, a comfortable small kitty cave, tunnel, or box helps them feel secure.

[niyad]

47. He loves to cuddle, but hides under the covers when he hears noise if I am not

holding him.

[wnylib]

48. Aww. Poor little guy.

If he feels comfortable under the covers, let him be. But soft, low pitched music and Felliway might be soothing. I spray Felliway generously on a hand towel and put the towel near the cat. Sometimes putting the towel in the microwave for 10 or 15 seconds helps disperse the Felliway better.

Cats feel more secure and safe in small enclosures where they can hide. Mine goes into her tunnel for "safety." She came from a very hectic and unsafe home for her. I got her at 9 weeks old and already the fear and mistrust were strong in her. It took a long time for her to feel really safe. She's 6 now and still hyper alert to sounds, but no longer hides immediatelly. She perks her ears now and looks in the direction of the sound or at me, as if needing confirmation that I heard it, too and things are ok.

Besides her tunnel and Felliway, she has a comfort toy that she grabs in her mouth when she feels nervous. It is a fuzzy little wind up chicken.

It takes patience and affection for scared kitties to feel safe. A part of them will always, instinctively be alert for danger.

[Vinca]

7. I have a cat with the exact same problem. He was a feral stray kitten found in an abandoned

factory with his litter. Since he was ill, he was isolated at the humane society and never socialized normally. He's now 12 years old and, despite having him since he was 5 months old, he's still nervous and jumpy around loud noises, unexpected movements and anyone who doesn't normally live in the house. The vet recently gave me 25 mg. tablets of gabapentin to try on him, but I've only used it once since I hate the idea of drugging the cat. Over-the-counter sprays, etc., haven't worked at all. I've just come to accept the fact the cat "ain't right" and can only give him a loving home until his time on earth is up.

[niyad]

17. Considering what that drug is used for in humans, would seriously hesitate

giving it to a little kitty.

Like you, just trying to give him the best life possible.

[Vinca]

24. I trust the vet totally and I read about it online. Apparently, it's often given to both dogs

and cats for anxiety issues. It did work the day I used it on him, but I think we'll save it for days when there's a plumber or some other stranger in the house who really freaks him out.

[niyad]

25. A very wise idea.

[CrispyQ]

8. We have a little noise machine that we use during fire cracker season,

which, sadly is about 6-8 weeks long in my area. It has white noise & several other sounds, like a rainstorm, ocean waves, an oscillating fan, & lots more. I wouldn't want to go through summer without it! Our pup likes the steady rain sound best.

https://amazon.com/gp/product/B081T8QC65/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

Oh wow, it's gone up. I know I didn't pay that much for it. More like $25.

We also use CBD oil & have had good success with that. I order from NuLeaf in Denver. They're just down the road so I get it in 1-2 days. I order CBD for myself, from them, too.

Also, I read that Amazon doesn't allow full spectrum CBD products, so don't buy products on Amazon. Some CBD dog treats we bought on Amazon didn't do a thing to lessen her stress, but the oil from above, does. That was a few years ago, so I don't know if that policy is still true.

We tried Rescue Remedy, with several animals in the past & never got results with that.

Also, can you find a secluded place, like a closet or cabinet or even a drawer, that you can sound-proof for your feline friend?

Good luck!

[niyad]

11. I cannot be anywhere near cbd's, or, indeed, anything from the hops family, so that

is out. There are at least a half dozen pot pharmacies and shops within a couple of miles of me, but no help there.

He goes under the covers whenever he hears sound. So I make certain that he can get under easily.

Thank you for all your information.

[highplainsdem]

9. If your kitty doesn't require complete silence -- if he's OK with your TV on or music

playing -- I'd recommend one of those at low volume. That's what I used to do with a rescued cat who was afraid of both the sound of lawn mowers and the sound of rain (not just thunder, simply rain).

[niyad]

19. Will have to try the music. Do not have a television, but it does not seem to

bother him when I am watching anything on my computer, always at low volume. My guy does not like the wind at all.

[womanofthehills]

41. Another kitty could possibly help

I finally had to get my dog a friend. He howled if I left him home alone. I really didn’t want to get another dog but they bonded really well and he’s fine staying home now. So now I have double the love.

[CousinIT]

10. Feliway Optimum?

I haven't tried it but maybe it will help? https://us.feliway.com/products/feliway-optimum-diffuser-refill-kit-48ml-30-day

Relaxing music in the house - or if kitty can be distracted by YouTube videos (videos for cats search turns up all sorts of birdies and squirrels for kitty to watch) - usually with soft music. Distraction?

[niyad]

20. Will check into that, thank you.

[Hotler]

27. Try here, they have a sound generator that produces purring noise.

I've used it at times when i didn't feel well. There are other cool sounds also, look around.
https://mynoise.net/

[niyad]

28. That is an utterly fascinating site. Thank you for sharing.

[Corgigal]

29. I adopted a little kitten,

years back, who was scared of everything. I ended up putting her in a big doggie crate with her litter box, and a area for her food bowl. We made a box cut out, so she could tune out the sights, and some sounds, when she had enough. She stated to feel safe in there, and we progressed from there.

Leave all your sounds alone, make her a space instead. Let her see you, smell you, and hear you.

[niyad]

38. He does not like me being out of his sight, wants to be in my lap. When I am not home,

he sleeps under the covers. Too bad there are no earplugs for cats.

[Corgigal]

43. Kind of sweet he trust you.

He will adapt, most of our domestic pets do.

I use to work part time in a dog kennel, and this might seem silly, but when they are all watching you because they are unsure of what is going on, I would just sing a song. It seemed to calm them. It just something to try out, you’ll figure it out.

[mysteryowl]

30. Hi. Your kitty will heal over time.

I took in a part-feral stray a few years back. It was a lot of work, but it gets better. Now, my cat is a loving-friendly, cuddle-bug.

I ended up getting her a large open wire crate and put it in a quiet room. She has a shelf to rest on and gaze out a window if she wants.
I would put blankets on 1/2 of the crate top to make it cozy. She had all the comforts she needed in there.
I would interact with her intermittently and when I did, I put "Rescue Remedy" drops on her skin.
www.rescueremedy.com/en-us/
I would put a drop or two on my finger and gently rub it on her inside ear flap, or the semi hairless area on her face. It also works between their paw pads. It really works.

Also, nowadays there is CBD for pets.

The quiet safe place has become my cat's go-to over the years, all on her own. I leave the door open and I frequently can find her sleeping in her very own bed. Today for example.

Keep us update.

[niyad]

39. Oh, my guy is a cuddler as well. This new episode is happening because of a move to a

new neighborhood, several neighbors moving out and in, and the neighborhood itself, not exactly quiet. I am hoping that a planned major construction project, which I knew nothing about, can be blocked. We would both be going nuts!

[IcyPeas]

49. This cat rescue uses something called Zoundsforpets

Zoundz Music For Pets™ creates happier pets by reducing anxiety in dogs and cats. Scientific research inspired us to create a solution for pet professionals and pet parents caring for stressed pets.

https://www.zoundzforpets.com/

[niyad]

52. That is so sweet. Thank you for the link.

[niyad]

55. As always, DU'ers are the very best! No matter what the situation or problem,

someone, or many of you, have the information, and the kindness and caring. I wish that I could hug you all. Be safe.

[3catwoman3]

58. One more thought - not noise related.

You said your kitty likes to be on your lap whenever possible.

We just got our cats heated beds. They are pressure activated - turn on when the cat gets in, and off when the cat leaves. Available as a round medium size and an oval large. There is a hint of residual warmth when not occupied.

https://www.chewy.com/kh-pet-products-thermo-kitty-fashion/dp/54595?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=12643702756&utm_content=K%26H%20Pet%20Products&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Y7uuOGg9gIVwR-tBh2pVQzdEAQYBSABEgK9V_D_BwE

I wonder if a heated bed might feel to your kitty as if he were sitting on your lap, especially if you put a T-shirt or something in there with your scent on it.

[niyad]

59. Thank you. That is an excellent idea, especially as this winter has been very cold.

I will check it out.

[3catwoman3]

60. Our 2 took to them immediately.

I wish I could get one in human size.

[niyad]

61. We do have heating pads and electric blankets, though.