Composure Soft Chews

I was talking with the vet tech yesterday, and she mentioned something call Composure that is supposed to help calm cats or make them less stressed.  She was going to talk to the vet about it and get back to me, but I've done a little research in the meantime and was wondering what you all think.  Something has frightened Cindy and I suspect it hast o do with our other cat, Swanie.  Cindy is about 8 pounds and Swanie is about 25 pounds and kind of frat boy cat.  He's not mean, but he can be rambunctious.They usually get along really well, but lately Cindy has been avoiding him. She is seeking out high places to hang out and when she is down on the floor she will run really fast to get back to a high place.  For example, this morning she followed DH into the bathroom. With door closed she was very relaxed and happy, enjoyed a "water show," nosed around at stuff.  Then, the minute the door was open she stopped, looked around, and ran like a cat out of hell to the bookcase.  I have two Feliway Comfort Zone plugs ins, but so far they haven't been much help (I just put them in a couple days ago). I really need to find something to get her out of the habit of peeing on our bed and back into using the litter box.  She seems exceptionally frightened of the room where we keep the 2 litter boxes that she normally uses.  We do have another box in a different location, but I think she feels exposed when she's using any of them and, therefore, is avoiding them all.  This is a fairly recent development (last Saturday is when she started), but it's been every night except one since then.  I'm trying to think of a place I could put a box that Swanie couldn't get into, but I can't come up with anything for that yet.

Here is a link for the Composure:  http://www.pawsplus.com/composure-soft-chews/prod/284/

Composure Soft Chews - brought to you by Vetri-Science Labs - offer a highly palatable chew which reduces anxiety for dogs and cats in stressful environments without impairing motor skills or causing any side effects.

From the makers of Glyco-Flex, a new comprehensive calming support formula is here!

Alleviating stress-related problems without affecting your pet's personality or energy level, these soft chews are highly palatable with an easy to administer delivery system.

Chicken Liver flavor adds an appealing aroma and taste for your pet.

Supports dogs and cats during times of stress related (but not limited) to:

*Thunderstorms
*Fireworks
*Boarding
*Changes to environment
*Moving or Traveling
*Veterinary or grooming visits
*Boredom or separation stress
*Parties and house guests

Note:
During times of increased stress, dosage amount may be doubled or tripled as necessary.

Active ingredients are:

*Colostrum Calming Complex - Bioactive colostrum proteins which support stress reduction, cognitive functions and help pets relax.

*Suntheanine Brand L-Theanine - An amino acid not typically found in other calm support formulas that supports calming, relaxation, reduces irritability, low mood states and helps curb destructive behavior.

*Thiamine (Vitamin B1) - Helps manage stress and helps maintain normal dispositions.


Unlike other calming support formulas, Composure Soft Chews require absolutely no prescription!

Just a few thoughts: For the litterbox avoidance, maybe try Cat Attract litter. A lot of our members have had really good luck with it. Also, was anything changed on saturday? boxes cleaned with a new cleaner? new litter? etc. Some cats do not cope well with change when it comes to the litter box. Also, are you using covered boxes? Some cats are not comfortable with covered litterboxes since they feel trapped.

 I know feliway can take a few days to work, so hopefully it kicks in for her soon.

I don't know what happened Saturday, but I think something must have scared her either in the litter box itself or in the room where the litter box is.  She has been avoiding the room entirely, and if you take her in there, she will run right back out again.  She used to spend a lot of time on the bed in there, so that's definitely odd.  She's also avoiding our other cat Swanie when they have always been the best of friends, so odd there too.  Today, she actually used one of the litter boxes so we're hopeful maybe the Feliway is kicking in.  We have also decided to put a litter box up on a high place that she can get to but Swanie can't so easily, and see how that goes.  I had thought about the cat attract litter, but I really would like her to continue using what we currently provide (Swheatscoop) as opposed to the cat attract, which is clay based.  If what we're trying doesn't work, that is the next step.  DH says she was a lot more relaxed today (until I came home of course, since I'm the one who picked her up and put her in the carrier to take her to the vet yesterday), so we're hopeful. 

As far as the comfort chews, we have decided against it anyway.  The vet said it would be okay to try, but if need be I'll just get a third Feliway plug in and try that instead.

Fingers crossed for you.

Hopefully she can get past whatever happened on Saturday and can get back t her normal routine soon.