I'm looking for some advice if anyone can help me with a few questions I have.
I have a two-and-a-half-year-old cat who has severe behavioural issues, especially at night, which he's had since he was a kitten. He sleeps every afternoon from about midday until 7pm, but the nights are a total nightmare... he yowls, destroys whatever he can get his paws on, can be aggressive towards my second cat, scratches at doors and opens cupboards. Basically, it's nothing but sleepless nights for me. It’s worth noting that he’s like a shadow with me; he has real hyper-attachment issues. I've tried every natural product out there, we've tried everything without success. So, I took him to see a behaviourist in October 2020, and she decided to start him on a course of Clomicalm 5mg.
If I give him half a tablet, it isn’t enough; his behaviour stays the same. However, if I give him a full tablet (having cleared this with the vet), it works perfectly—it's a total transformation! But perhaps a bit too much... he sleeps an awful lot and he's much less affectionate... to the point where I don't even recognise my own cat, even though the behavioural issues have vanished. It’s still quite a strong medication... is it good for him? Especially for his health? He’s been on half a tablet for three months, but for the past week that hasn't been enough, so I’m going back up to one tablet. We had a check-up last week and the treatment has been extended for another six months because the problems come straight back without it—apparently, these things can take time. I feel so guilty that it's come to this, but I have to admit my life is much more peaceful and I'm finally getting a good night's sleep. After two years of no sleep, I was really reaching my wits' end!!
If anyone can help ease my doubts about this treatment—it's effective, but could it be harmful?
The treatment is supposed to regulate his sleep, but he still sleeps all afternoon, and even trying to keep him active and stimulated doesn't seem to work.
Thanks!
Translated from French
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Hi there and thanks for your reply. I’m not really used to this site yet… Sacha is still taking half a Clomicalm in the evening… straight into his mouth. At first it was a breeze, but now he’s getting a bit suspicious when it’s time for his meds. Mind you, I’m probably just as stressed as he is…
I’m wondering if I could give him half a tablet only every other day? I know I could just give it a go, but I can pretty much guess the result already… He bites me as soon as I don't let him have his way… he scratches at my plants just to wind me up, and he even warns me before he does it. So, what do you think? Thanks for your help.
Hi! A bit of a late response! I’ve been giving Clomicalm to my cat for several months now (one a day because he’s a big lad...) and unfortunately, he’ll be on it for life! I’ve read loads and loads about this medication because I was really worried! My main advice is: watch the dosage! Too high a dose = danger (you must follow your vet's instructions) but too low a dose = danger too!! In that case, the effects can be the opposite of what you want (making the bad behaviour worse, which is especially dangerous if the behaviour in question is aggression, like with my cat). Conclusion: definitely stick to the vet's recommendations :) Usually, they’ll ask for your cat's weight to work out the right dose.
Now for my experience with my cat: it’s brilliant!!! My cat isn't aggressive anymore (he wasn't properly weaned and had hyper-attachment issues + aggression...) and it’s much easier to train him (he was a dominant cat on top of everything haha). But now he’s as gentle as a lamb :) BUT don’t worry, he doesn't sleep all day! Yes, it’s a side effect and at the start he slept a lot (too much), but my vet told me that would wear off over time and it’s true! And he’s admittedly less cuddly, but a cat that doesn't suffer from hyper-attachment isn't necessarily very affectionate anyway, so it’s actually a positive, isn't it? :) It proves the med is working on that symptom too!
The big downside: it’s REALLY hard to get him to take the pill and there’s no point forcing him to swallow it by shoving it in his mouth—that just creates a stressful situation which might cancel out the effects of the medication... you have to be sneaky with treats, tuna, or chicken (never raw salmon though, and especially, especially not cheese, as there can be side effects with the med). Two more tips while I think of it: the medication is more effective when mixed with food, and it’s better to give the tablet in one single dose (unlike for dogs). There you go, I hope that’s helped! It’s definitely sad to have to give pets medication, but I can see he’s more peaceful and less stressed... it’s for his own good :)
Hi Cindym 360,
I’ve had cats all my life, but things are really tough with SACHA. I got him when he was 3 months old on 30th May 2020, so he’s just turned one now. Right from the start, he used to nip, and then he became very aggressive (only with me), biting me whenever I frustrated him.
I saw my vet several times, and in October he prescribed Clomicalm (half a tablet a day). My cat changed completely. He became a normal cat again, the one I adore. Then, at the beginning of March this year, he started refusing the tablet. I had to force it into his mouth, and it really upset me, having to force him like that. Then one day, I found a tablet on the floor... he’d been spitting them out. I decided to stop... after all, the vet said it might be okay.
Well, it wasn't. It’s now the end of March and for the past three days, my arms have been covered in several quite deep bites. I’m just sick about it. My vet told me to put him back on Clomicalm for a long period—at least six months.
Anyway, I’m thinking of you and I totally understand. Medicating a pet feels terrible, but if it’s for their own good and ours, we don't have much choice. For mine, half a tablet is enough... I just hope I get my cat back. I adore him.
Thanks for reading.
Thank you for your reply, it's really put my mind at ease. It had already reassured me regarding the treatment, but I still had a few doubts nonetheless. I’m also keeping an eye out for any side effects.
First off, please don't feel guilty about using medication to make life easier with your cat, especially when the situation is having such a big impact on your own life.
Secondly, like any medication, Clomicalm—which contains clomipramine hydrochloride—does have potential side effects. But it's important to remember that this is the case for all meds, and these side effects are actually quite rare. Using this type of drug isn't always recommended in every case, particularly for pets with certain heart conditions, but as long as you're following your vet's prescription, your cat won't be at any extra risk.
If you're worried about this, definitely have a chat with your vet. They’ll be able to reassure you about using the medication and can always re-evaluate the dosage if needed.
The treatment can be used long-term; I’d just suggest having regular check-ups with your vet to keep an eye on how your cat is getting on.
