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We all get stressed and perhaps reach for a chocolate bar to soothe ourselves, but what about our cats? Feline anxiety is actually a very common problem because cats love a routine. When this becomes disturbed or they feel they have no control over their territory, cats can easily become stressed. This can impact their quality of life and even worsen existing health problems.
In a Hurry?
If you don’t have much time use the links below to quickly find the best Cat Calming Treat for your cat. You can be assured we only choose the best products…
- Best Overall: NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Chews for Cats
- Best Value: Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
- Premium Choice: Vetriscience Composure Cat Calming Treats
- Best for Kittens: Pet Hemp Company Hemp Calming Cat Treats
- Holistapet CBD Cat Treats
- ThunderWunders Calming Chews for Cats
- Nutramax Solliquin Calming Behavioral Health Chews
- Licks Pill-Free Zen Cat Calming Treats
- Pet Honesty Cat Calming Treats
- Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Cats
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
Luckily, there is now a range of cat calming treats on the market that are not only convenient and easy to administer but contain ingredients that have been proven to reduce various forms of feline stress, including:
Separation anxiety: Many cats are happy to be left alone for several hours at a time. However, certain cat breeds or individuals with a degree of trauma, such as early weaning, can struggle with being on their own. For instance, Burmese and Siamese cats form incredibly strong bonds with their owners which makes them highly co-dependent. Separation anxiety can manifest in various ways from defecating outside of the litter box to destructive behaviors and excessive vocalizations (if your cat is pooping on the floor, read here).
Noise sensitivity: Some cats can be highly sensitive to loud noises such as music, banging, and children playing. This can cause them to remain in a high-stress state which can take its toll on their bodies over an extended period of time. Cats’ ears are a lot more sensitive than humans. So, even noises that you don’t notice can irritate your cat, such as the hum of the refrigerator.
Medical problems: If your cat is feeling unwell they are likely to have raised stress levels. They will also be feeling more vulnerable, so they may withdraw from human contact and have reduced appetites.
Travel anxiety: There are not many cats that enjoy traveling. Think about it; they are confined in a small space and surrounded by unfamiliar noises as well as vibrations from the car itself. If you have a cat that is reluctant to travel, cat calming treats can be a God send!
Cat Calming treats can be a great addition to your arsenal to combat stress in your feline companion. Below, we run through the best anxiety-busting cat treats on the market today.
1. Best Overall: NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Chews for Cats
NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Chews for Cats tasty treats contain a wide variety of ingredients to help soothe an anxious kitty including:
- Thiamine and L-Tryptophan to reduce stress
- Melatonin to promote relaxation
- Ginger to support a sensitive stomach
- Chamomile to aid a restful sleep
Pros
- Soft chews suitable for cats with dental problems
- Contain a variety of ingredients to combat feline anxiety
- Wheat free
- Made in the US
Cons
- Strong salmon odor
- Some cats don’t like the taste
2. Best Value: Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews come in packs of 30 chews that work completely naturally with no sedative effects. The delicious liver flavor will be enticing to most cats. However, some owners claim that the chews are hard to bite through.
Pros
- Only one treat is required per day to soothe stress
- Appealing liver flavor
- Dosage can be varied depending on your cat’s stress levels
Cons
- Might be too difficult for some cats to chew
- Some owners claim the treats have a strong vitamin smell
3. Premium Choice: Vetriscience Composure Cat Calming Treats
Vetriscience Composure Cat Calming Treats contain a veterinary-approved formula and the dosage can be doubled or tripled for more severe anxiety issues.
Pros
- Veterinary-approved formula backed by clinical research
- Suitable for long-term use
- Effects start working after 20-30 minutes
Cons
- Small packet for the price
- Doesn’t work for all cats
4. Best for Kittens: Pet Hemp Company Hemp Calming Cat Treats
Each treat contains 2mg of hemp extract and one should be offered every 8-10 hours to keep your kitty calm. However, they are not suitable for cats with a chicken allergy because they contain fresh chicken.
Pros
- 100% natural and organic ingredients
- Wheat free
- Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons
- Expensive
- Not suitable for cats with a chicken allergy
5. Holistapet CBD Cat Treats
Holistapet CBD Cat Treats are crunchy, salmon-flavored treats that contain 2 mg broad-spectrum CBD per treat. CBD works with your pets’ endocannabinoid system which controls a number of important bodily functions such as mood response and stress levels. So, they work well at reducing feline anxiety.
Holistapet CBD Cat Treats contain no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives. They are also gluten and dairy free. These cat treats come in both hard and soft chews, so they are even suitable for cats with dental problems.
Pros
- Contain broad-spectrum CBD
- Gluten and dairy free
- Come in soft and hard varieties
Cons
- Expensive
- The flavor may be a bit overpowering for some cats
6. ThunderWunders Calming Chews for Cats
ThunderWunders Calming Chews for Cats come in a tasty chicken flavor that your cat will love. They are also made in the US and come from the makers of the Thundershirt, so they are a well-trusted brand. Dosage will depend on the size of your cat but it’s not recommended to offer these treats for more than 7 days consecutively. These treats are only designed for intermittent use.
Pros
- 100 treats per tub
- Tasty chicken flavor
- Vet-recommended
Cons
- Not suitable for long-term repeated use
- Not suitable for kittens under 12 weeks of age
7. Nutramax Solliquin Calming Behavioral Health Chews
Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences has been a leader in pet health for over 30 years and all the ingredients in the Nutramax Solliquin Calming Behavioral Health Chews are backed by science and are veterinary-formulated. For dogs and cats up to 8 lbs in weight, offer ½ a chew per day, for dogs and cats between 8-15 lbs offer one chew per day. Pets over 15 lbs should get two treats per day.
Pros
- Veterinary-formulated
- Suitable for both cats and dogs
Cons
- Can take up to a month to see results
- Expensive
8. Licks Pill-Free Zen Cat Calming Treats
Licks Pill-Free Zen Cat Calming Treats are sourced and made in the US, and take around 30-60 minutes to get to work. These treats can be offered every 4-6 hours and can be put in the fridge to form a thicker gel.
Pros
- Highly palatable
- Up to a 98% absorbent rate of active calming ingredients
- Suitable for cats with dental issues
Cons
- May not work for all cats
- Pungent odor
9. Pet Honesty Cat Calming Treats
Pet Honesty Cat Calming Treats have a crunchy outside and a soft, chicken-flavored inside that will be highly palatable to most cats. The recommendation is to give ½ or one chew per lb of body weight. Amounts can also be split throughout the day.
Pros
- Palatable chews with a soft center
- Contain no artificial ingredients
- Suitable for cats of all ages
Cons
- A lot of treats have to be given to see results
- A packet doesn’t last very long so they can get expensive in the long run
10. Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Cats
Zesty Paws Calming Bites for Cats come in a tasty bacon flavor so they are suitable for even the pickiest feline eaters. They come in tubs of 60 chews with each daily dose being two chews for cats weighing up to 10 lbs. Heavier cats may need up to four chews per day.
Pros
- Tasty bacon flavor
- Can reduce hyperactive behaviors as well as anxiety-related behaviors
- 7 active calming ingredients in each chew
Cons
- Strong, unappealing smell
- May not work for all cats
Can A Cat Overdose On Cat Calming Treats?
All of the ingredients in cat calming treats are perfectly safe for cats. These can include L-Theanine and Alpha-Casozepine, which is a derivative of milk but doesn’t contain lactose.
Saying that, you must read the instructions on the packet carefully as an overdose is possible.
It can be difficult to keep track of the number of treats you give to your cat on a daily basis. However, it’s important to be as careful as possible because an overdose can produce a range of unwanted side effects including:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Excess thirst
An overdose of sodium, which is present in many cat calming cat treats, is the main concern, especially for cats with underlying health issues. This can cause more extreme symptoms such as seizures, tremors, and heart issues.
However, as long as you monitor their intake and don’t leave open packets out on the side for them to dive into, you should be perfectly fine. If you have any concerns, it’s always best to seek advice from your vet.
Conclusion: Best Calming Cat Treats
Cat calming treats are a very effective and simple way to reduce stress and anxiety in cats. However, bear in mind that, just like normal treats, they shouldn’t be offered continuously as they can lead to feline obesity.
If your cat is permanently anxious or their symptoms have become more severe, it’s always best to speak to your vet for advice. You can also use other cat calming products such as cat pheromone diffusers and cat calming collars in conjunction with cat calming treats.
Remember that every cat is an individual. So, a bit of trial and error may be needed to find the best cat calming treats for your beloved feline companion.
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. Carla is an avid cat lover and has owned cats all her life. She couldn’t imagine life without them.
