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We are lucky enough to have options when it comes to treating anxiety in cats, but how do you know which are the best calming products and which to avoid?
We suggest using products that are market tested and come recommended by veterinarians or animal welfare experts. New products come onto the market every day, but the level of testing for animal products is not the same as for humans so it’s easier for products that may not be up to scratch to slip through the cracks.
The best anti-anxiety plan involves combining the use of cat calming products with behavioral training and talking to your veterinarian.
Personally I’ve had great success with using treats combined with repetitive training, but it only works with one of my cats. The other prefers food (and lots of it) to treats!
Our favorite products to consider in any cat calming strategy are:
Our number one cat calming product of choice is the Feliway classic diffuser. Vets recommend the Feliway brand, because it mimics a cat’s facial pheromones, which helps to minimize cat anxiety symptoms.
A pheromone diffuser disperses pheromones throughout your home. You simply plug the diffuser into an electrical socket and the warmth allows the pheromones to disperse. These products mostly replicate the pheromones given off by nursing female cats, allowing for a sense of security and helping in the prevention of cat anxiety.
This doesn’t work with all cats so you’ll need to give it a try before any particularly anxious time such as moving house.
Cat calming sprays are another useful tool. They are multi-functional and can be sprayed on your pet’s bed or collar. Multi-cat Feliway can be used to soothe a cat who is stressed out by other cats in the home.
It’s best to use a pheromone spray in places where your cat is most likely to be or brush past: curtains, scratch posts, doorways. You can also spray it onto their bedding
The use of a pheromone collar is another good way of relieving your cat of stress. Like pheromone sprays and diffusers, the pheromones that cat calming collars emit are intended to mimic what mother cats produce to calm and soothe kittens, and thankfully they can also help with the calming of adult cats.
Here’s our review of the Sentry Calming Collar For Cats.
Cat calming foods have seen remarkable success in helping stressed cats (if you want more advice for calming stressed cats, read here). There are a range of cat calming foods on the market and not every one is created equal. While there are non prescription calming cat foods available, we always recommend checking with your veterinarian prior to purchasing any. Our favorite is Royal Canin Calm Cat Food, a veterinary-designed formula crafted to provide essential support for cats facing temporary bouts of anxiety, such as relocating or introducing a new pet to the household. It can also help with:
We have reviewed the best calming cat foods on the market in this article.
Holistapet enjoys a well-established reputation as a leader in the CBD market. These treats are versatile, catering to a wide range of cats with both hard and soft chew options. Notably, they are safe even for pregnant felines. What sets these treats apart is their commitment to using premium ingredients and organic hemp oil, a key factor in our evaluation.
Holistapet’s dedication to quality assurance shows through its rigorous testing and certification process, ensuring that all their products adhere to strict safety standards. Plus, their CBD offerings undergo third-party laboratory testing, guaranteeing they are free from harmful toxins or chemicals. With Holistapet, you can trust that your beloved pet is receiving the highest-quality CBD product available.
NaturVet’s Quiet Moments Calming Chews for Cats are delectable salmon-flavored soft chews designed for felines aged 12 weeks and older. With 60 treats per container, these chews are not only delicious but also wheat-free, and they are proudly manufactured in the United States. For optimal results, it’s advised to provide your cat with two treats approximately 30 minutes prior to anxiety-inducing events, such as travel or fireworks displays.
NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Chews for Cats tasty treats include ingredients to help calm cats including:
CBD oil can be useful if your cat has chronic anxiety or for particularly stressful times. While CBD appears to be safe for cats, there’s currently almost no regulation of it and so there’s a lot to consider before giving your cat CBD oil which we discuss in our ultimate guide here: CBD for cats: Benefits, Safety, What to Know. Holistapet is. a brand we know and trust as we’ve talked about in the Holistapet CBD cat treat recommendation above.
These are cat anxiety-specific tight-fitting shirts/jackets that apply mild tension (similar to wrapping an infant) and can help decrease cat anxiety. However, if your cat isn’t used to wearing garments, they might have an adverse effect. Think about whether your cat likes to be cuddled close and that should give you a good indication. Veterinarians believe they work for cats and you can see the video at the end of our Thundershirt review.
If your cats are on the larger size, our favourite is this cat tree for large cats, which provides stability and plenty of room for cat toys and blankets to help ease anxiety.
The ingredients are completely safe for cats of all ages and the amount you give is not determined by size or weight. Simply add four drops of the tincture to your cat’s food or water.
The Bach Rescue Remedy Supplement can also be used alongside other calming products for cats, including anxiety medications. However, be aware that some cats may not like the taste.
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The ThunderWunders Cat Calming Paw Gel is a simple solution to short-term feline stress, which makes it perfect for vet visits or when you have visitors in the home. This product contains all natural ingredients including chamomile and passionflower so it’s safe for both adult cats and kittens.
Apply about one inch of the gel onto your cat’s paws during, or before, times of stress. When they groom themselves, your cat will then distribute the gel over their body to promote relaxation. This product also has a tasty salmon flavor which your kitty will love.
The ThunderWunders Cat Calming Paw Gel comes in a handy small tube which is great to take with you when traveling. However, some cats have a tendency to rub the gel all over your furniture so be selective about when you apply it!
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Calm Paws Purr Calming Essential Oil for cats comes with an easy-to-use dropper so you can ensure you give your cat the right amount. Simply, add this essential oil to your cat’s food or water bowl to prevent anxiety-driven behaviors such as excessive meowing and scratching.
Be aware that some cats may be allergic to the essential oils in this product so it’s best to test a small amount first.
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