We all know our cats are lovers of routine and want everything to be a certain way. When situations change, cats can suffer from stress and anxiety. Cat calming sprays are a great way to soothe anxious felines because they’re simple to use and much less invasive than anti-anxiety medications. But, which one should you buy?
The sheer number of cat calming sprays on the market can be overwhelming for any kitty-parent! That’s why we have picked the top 10 best cat calming sprays and given you an in-depth review of each one. So, you can make an informed choice for your beloved feline companion.
How We Choose
If we recommend a product it’s because we have done the research on it and we believe it has the ability to help you and your cat. In our research, some products have been tested directly by us, while others have been researched using other methods, including reviewing comments from users online to ensure we have provided good coverage of what is working well for cats. As a team of qualified veterinarians, animal welfare experts, and cat parents, you can be assured we only choose the best products.
Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
How do cat calming sprays work?
Cat calming sprays release relaxing herbal smells and natural happy cat pheromones as a mist. Cats pick up these scents using a unique biological structure called the vomeronasal organ, located between the nose and the mouth. Many of the pheromones present in cat calming sprays mimic the natural communication pheromones given off by cats. Whereas herbs such as lavender and chamomile have been proven to have a relaxing effect on cats.
Cats have an incredibly acute sense of smell which makes cat calming sprays a very effective aid for calming stress and anxiety (if you want more advice for calming stressed cats, read here). To put this into context, humans have 5 million olfactory receptors in our noses, whereas cats have around 80 million. So, their sense of smell is over 14 times better than ours!
Because of their method of distribution, cat calming sprays work best as short-term solutions to cat anxiety. Loud noises such as thunderstorms, birthday parties in the home, and the dreaded hoover are all situations where a cat calming spray could be useful. They can also be used to introduce a new pet to the home and to calm travel anxiety. Just spray on bedding, furniture, or a window perch to help your cat feel more relaxed.
Cat anxiety can manifest in a number of ways from withdrawal to aggression and excessive vocalizations. So, it’s important to observe your kitty regularly and note any behavioral changes that could indicate stress.
Remember that certain essential oils and flower essences are toxic to cats. So, avoid any products that contain any of these ingredients, which include:
- Citrus
- Eucalyptus
- Clove oil
- Pine
- Lilies
1. Best Overall: Feliway Classic Calming Spray for Cats
In our testing, we found the spray was the most effective overall.
Simply spray the Feliway Classic Cat Calming Spray in the area your cat frequents the most (or the one that is causing the stress). It can be sprayed directly in doorways, or on furniture, cat bedding, or travel carriers. You will need around 8 sprays per use and a whole bottle will generally last for 50 applications. The effects will last for around 4-5 hours so make sure you reapply when needed. Always wait for 15 mins before allowing your cat back into the room to allow the alcohol to dissipate.
Pros
- Patented pheromone technology
- Odorless to humans
- Vet-recommended
- Lasts for up to 5 hours
Cons
- May not work for all cats
- Contains ethanol so you cannot spray the solution near your cat
2. Best Value: Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Calming Spray
Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Calming Spray is described as long-lasting, however, there are no specific guidelines on how long each spray lasts. That said, the solution is non-sedative so can be resprayed when needed. Nature’s Miracle has a good reputation in the cat-calming market so this product is a great low-price option.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Works quickly
- The scent is not overpowering
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Contains parabens
- May not work on very anxious cats
3. Premium Choice: Bserene Pheromone and Catnip Oil Cat Calming Spray
The Bserene Pheromone and Catnip Oil Cat Calming Spray is completely drug-free and can be sprayed on bedding, windowsills, cat carriers, and furniture to create a stress-free environment for your cat. It is advisable to wait 15 minutes before allowing your cat into the room.
The only main downside of this product is that it’s flammable so don’t spray it near any fire source such as an open flame or a lit cigarette.
Pros
- Drug-free
- Contains catnip oil
- Effective at reducing anxiety symptoms including urine marking, scratching, and withdrawal
Cons
- Flammable
- Ingredients can cause eye irritation
- Expensive
4. Best for Kittens: Comfort Zone Spray and Scratch Control Cat Calming Spray
The Comfort Zone Spray and Scratch Control Cat Calming Spray is a vet-approved formula that’s scentless to humans as it mimics the natural pheromones given off by cats. It’s suitable for short-term use, just make sure you spray an area 15 minutes before allowing your cat to enter the room. It’s also suitable for long-term use. Just spray every day in an area where your cat frequents and you should see a reduction in anxiety symptoms within one week.
The main drawback to this cat calming spray is that it’s fairly expensive compared to other similar products.
Pros
- Drug-free
- Odorless
- Lasts for 24 hours
- Helps to relieve severe anxiety symptoms
Cons
- Expensive
- Can leave a stain on certain surfaces
5. Pet Remedy Natural D-Stress Cat Spray
The Pet Remedy Natural D-Stress Cat Spray is filled with natural calming essential oils including sweet basil, valerian, and sage, that have been scientifically proven to calm cats. Combined, these essential oils mimic the amino acid, gamma amino butyric acid, which is a natural calm-inducing neurotransmitter found in all mammals.
The essential oils are based in a water solution so it’s perfectly safe to use around cats, children, and other pets. However, it does give off a fairly strong odor.
Simply spray a few pumps of this solution onto bedding or in the cat carrier for fast results. The Pet Remedy Natural D-Stress Cat Spray needs to be applied every 1-2 hours to keep its effectiveness.
Pros
- Natural ingredients
- Water-based solution
- Mimics the calming amino acid found naturally in mammals
Cons
- Expensive
- Has a strong odor
- Effects don’t last long
6. Sentry Good Behavior Cat Calming Spray
The Sentry Good Behavior Cat Calming Spray also contains lavender and chamomile which have been clinically proven to reduce stress in both humans and cats! It can be sprayed on cat bedding, blankets, and cat carriers. However, it’s not recommended for furniture because it stains easily. It also takes a lot of product for the solution to take effect and it only comes in a small 30ml bottle.
Pros
- Patented formula that mimics the natural neonatal pheromones given off by mother cats
- Contains all-natural ingredients
- Clinically proven
Cons
- Expensive for a small bottle
- Can stain furniture
- The bottle nozzle sometimes clogs up
7. Relaxivet Cat Calming Spray
The Relaxivet Cat Calming Spray is made with natural botanical ingredients including catnip and rosemary to induce a sense of calm in even the most stressed-out kitties.
Simply spray the Relaxivet Cat Calming Spray on your cat’s bedding and wait 15 minutes before allowing your cat to enter the room. The effects last up for 6 hours but the oil-based formula can stain some surfaces. However, it’s a great solution for short-term stressful situations such as vet visits and thunderstorms. The solution also contains geranium which can be toxic to cats if ingested so it is important to make sure your cat doesn’t nibble on the bedding.
Pros
- Contains all-natural ingredients
- Effects last for up to 6 hours
- Fast-acting
Cons
- Can stain some surfaces
- Contains geranium so it’s toxic when ingested
- Contains catnip so may induce hyperactivity in some cats
8. ThunderEase Calming Spray for Cats
The ThunderEase Calming Spray for Cats can be sprayed onto objects in the home or even directly onto a Thundershirt to reduce stress in your feline companion. The solution is completely natural so it can be sprayed as often as needed.
Compared to other brands, this product is fairly expensive and it may not work on all cats.
Pros
- Slow-releasing formula
- Drug-free
- Mimics a mother cat’s natural calming pheromones
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- May not work on all cats
9. Pet Organics No-Stress Spray for Cats
The solution is made from clove and rosemary, so it has a very mild scent for both cats and humans. However, this does mean that it may not be the best solution for cats with extreme anxiety.
The Pet Organics No-Stress Spray for Cats is safe to spray on all surfaces as it doesn’t stain. However, the effects take a while to kick in and it needs to be resprayed often.
Pros
- Natural formula
- Mimics natural feline pheromones
- Mild scent
Cons
- Doesn’t work on severely anxious cats
- Some cats don’t like the scent
- Needs to be reapplied often
10. NaturVet Quiet Moments Feline Pheromone Cat Calming Spray
It’s best to test the NaturVet Quiet Moments Feline Pheromone Cat Calming Spray on a small area of fabric because it can stain. It’s suitable for use by kittens over the age of 3 months but make sure you wipe any hard floors before allowing your cat to enter the room as the liquid can accumulate.
Pros
- Lasts 8-10 hours
- Natural ingredients
- Water-based
Cons
- Can stain certain materials
- Excess liquid can accumulate on the floor after spraying
- Some cats don’t like the smell
Final Thoughts on Cat Calming Srays
Cat calming sprays are an ideal solution to short-term stress and anxiety in your beloved feline companion. However, these products contain different ingredients so it’s important to find the spray that works best for your cat.
Whether your cat is a fan of catnip or chamomile, there’s a spray out there that will help to soothe your kitties anxiety and allow them to feel more relaxed, even in the most stressful situations.
With a patented, clinically proven formula that mimics the natural calming facial pheromones given off by cats, the Feliway Classic Calming Spray for Cats is our top choice for the best cat calming spray on the market.
Author
Carla Shaik, Chief Editor and Writer, BSC Animal Behavior and Welfare
Our resident animal welfare expert, Carla Shaik has always had a passion for writing and educating the public on topics that really matter, especially cat welfare. Since graduating with a BSC in Animal Behavior and Welfare, Carla has written for a national cat magazine for eight years and more recently branched out into becoming a freelance writer full-time...
