Article: A nursing queen (female cat) gives off pheromones (chemical messengers) which makes her kittens feel safe and content. A synthetic version of these pheromones has been manufactured and sold as Feliway. Use the spray Feliway by spritzing bedding, or entrance and exit points so as to amplify ownership by the resident cat. Alternatively, buy a Feliway diffuser. The diffuser plugs into an electrical socket and gives off a low level of the pheromone into the air (it is not detectable by humans!). Ideally, plug the diffuser into an electrical socket in the room your stressed cat spends the most time. The effect builds up gradually, so don't expect immediate results, but after a couple of weeks the cat should feel safer and more reassured. (Each diffuser lasts for approximately four weeks and refills are available.) Zylkene is a nutraceutical, which is a food supplement that has a pharmaceutical-like action on the body. Because nutraceuticals are not drugs, they are much safer and rarely have side effects. The active ingredient in Zylkene is derived from milk protein and it acts on the same part of the brain as diazepam. This calms the cat and removes some of her anxiety. Zylkene is available without prescription and comes in 75 mg capsules. The dose for a cat is a 75 mg capsule once a day, given with or after food. It can take a couple of days to take effect, but if there is no noticeable difference after seven days, it is unlikely to help your cat. If your cat is so stressed that she is becoming ill, then your vet might prescribe a medication to help her over this rough patch. Different pharmaceuticals are available; the most commonly used are diazepam, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine. None of these drugs are licensed for use in the cat because the manufacturer has not paid to put them through efficacy trials. However, there are considerable banks of data about their safe use in cats, which your veterinarian will discuss with you if she considers this the best course of treatment.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Consider using feline pheromones to help your cat feel happy. Try giving your cat Zylkene. Talk to your vet about medicine that can help manage stress.
Article: Shy people tend to focus on the self and feelings of inadequacy. By diverting attention to the external, he may become less guarded and communicate more freely. Feelings of shame will increase shyness. Discussing events or subjects related to the environment decrease the likelihood of unintentionally shaming him. Shy people are very self-aware and often avoid making large hand motions and facial expressions in uncomfortable conversations. Increased use of gestures and facial expressions may be an indication of decreased self-awareness. Getting too personal too quickly may cause him to become overwhelmed and emotionally detach. This is particularly useful when the conversation doesn't feel very natural. Working on something together will establish a structured flow of communication, reducing the pressure of figuring out what to say and when. Playing a game is a great way to focus attention externally. For example, you might ask, "Do you want to play a game to help pass the time?" He will likely ask what game, so be prepared to answer. If he recommends a different game, don't worry about not knowing how to play. Instructing you how to play the game is a great opportunity for him to become comfortable with the dialogue. Only attempt this after the communication becomes more natural and maintaining conversation requires less effort. You'll know you've reached this point when you realize the conversation has been flowing for several minutes without thinking about how to keep him talking. A good question to get him talking about himself is "How do you like to spend your free time?" You can then follow this up with questions about what he enjoys about his pastimes. If he seems resistant, revert to the external and try to transition again after he appears comfortable again. If you haven't been able to make the transition after a few attempts, tell him you've really enjoyed the activity and schedule another a time to play again. This will give him additional time to become comfortable with your interactions.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Focus on the external. Keep the focus on the external until the conversation feels natural, and he becomes more animated. Engage him in activity. Transition the conversation to the personal.