Calming Your Cat With Clipnosis

Your Cat is Getting Verrry Sleeeepy!

                Do you wish your cat were calmer at the veterinary office or that you could trim her nails or comb out a mat in his fur without the cat becoming upset?  You’re not alone.  Independent researchers at both The Ohio State University and at a veterinary clinic in France found that cats can be calmed by using a plastic clip placed on the skin of the neck behind the ears.  This technique has been dubbed “Clipnosis.”

                Cats have a natural response that causes them to be still and calm when the loose skin or “scruff” of the neck is pinched.  This inborn response causes kittens to become limp and allows a mother cat to carry her kitten by the scruff of its neck without the kitten struggling or becoming agitated.  We have long used this response by using our fingers to “scruff” a cat by holding the skin on the back of the neck.  Clipnosis also takes advantage of this response but leaves our hands free and the technique does not harm the cat or cause any pain.  The cat’s positive response to the clip improves with repeated use.

                This technique works best if the clip is applied before the cat becomes stressed.  There are special “Clipnosis” clips that can be purchased (as modeled in the photo by Dr. Schmidt’s cat, Turk), or a standard two inch binder clip may be used (which is what was used in the university study).  This provides a simple and gentle type of restraint to make it easier to perform procedures like drawing blood or clipping nails.  Clipnosis can also be easily used at home for various procedures.  Patton Veterinary Hospital plans to try to employ the clipnosis technique more frequently in the future.  We have tried it a few times with good results.

                Another way to calm your cat is to try the popular canine item, the Thunder Shirt™.   This tight fitting vest has been marketed as a way to calm dogs during storms.  One of our clients purchased a small thunder shirt for her cat and noted that it really helped to calm the cat allowing her to be able to handle him more easily.  Cats and dogs have a natural tendency to become calm and still when they have a snug garment around their chests similar to the calming effect that swaddling has on an infant.  This would be a great idea for getting a cat into a carrier and keeping her calm for travel. 

                What do you think of these techniques?  Let us know!  Ask us about clipnosis or the thunder shirt at your next appointment.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding areas.