My cat sprays the bed from stress. Gabapentin isn't working. What now?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 4 years and 2 months old | 15 lbs
I have started my cat on gabapentin, been five days. Tigger has been spraying on my bed 7-8 times, not alot just a few drops no more than size of half dollar. We moved two mos ago and there has been a cat coming around house so thinking he is anxious/stressed. I put animal repellant around house and have Feliway plugin. Ive sprayed my bed with a product so he wouldnt do again but didnt work. He does not have a uti, i think its behavioral but dont know how to stop it!
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on November 1st, 2017
I agree with you. I think this is stress related behavior. Feliway is great - make sure you have enough plug-ins to cover the square footage of your house. Also, they make a Feliway collar for cats that looks like a flea collar - you may want to get that as well to put on him. As for the gabapentin. That would not have been my first choice of drug for this issue. I have had better luck with fluoxetine, buspar or amitriptyline. You need to talk to your vet about switching drugs. Five days is not a long time but I don't personally feel like that is the best drug for this issue. Of course drugs are an individual response. What works for one may not work for another so sometimes you need to go through a couple different drugs or drugs dosages to find the right fit. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=633 Be sure you have enriched his environment appropriately to make him feel less stressed. http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/what-is-environmental-enrichment-and-why-does-your-cat-need-it/ Hope this helps. Be patient. I know it's hard but I think you can work through this. Best wishes!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on July 17th, 2019
I don't want to second guess your vet but I'm unsure why the gabapentin was prescribed. Did your vet think B is having anxiety? I don't think gabapentin would be my first choice for anxiety treatment. Maybe discuss with your vet as to why they prescribed this and what your other options may be. Have you had any major changes in the environment lately? Move? Got a new pet? Had a baby? etc? I suggest you use some Feliway products and try some environmental enrichment. For the next week though I think you should put him in his own room if at all possible, alone (no other pets or people) with his own food, water and litter box so you can give him some space and decrease stress. ( https://www.amazon.com/Feliway-Classic-Starter-Cats-Diffuser/dp/B01AVIIFRA ) ( thedrakecenter.com/materials/environmental-enrichment-indoor-cats ) Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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