The Top Best Calming Products for Cats

DISCLOSURE. The following post contains affiliate links. Should you access a product through my links, I may make a commission to no added cost to you. I only promote products or services I personally use and endorse.

What are signs of cat anxiety?

Humans are creatures of habit, but cats thrive on the status quo. Something as simple as a new piece of furniture can create anxiety in our feline friends. Big changes in a cat’s life such as the death or birth of immediate family members, moving to a new home, renovating their existing living spaces or major changes in their human’s daily routines. Cats will feel insecure and stress with changes out of their control. When this occurs, in addition to human and cat behavior changes, it might be time to try various calming products for cats.

In order to determine if your cat is experiencing signs of stress, owners need to first rule out any health issues and try to create a calm environment. According to petcentralchewy.com, below are some common signs of stress in cats.

• Hiding – avoiding human contact
• Inappropriate elimination (going outside the box)
• Appetite changes – either overeating or refusing foods they used to enjoy
• Aggressive behavior
• Increased vocalization

Vet visit first

First and foremost, make a visit with the veterinarian to rule out any medical issues. All the above signs of stress could also be a result of an underlying medical condition. Should your cat end up with a clean bill of health then it’s time to trial alternative options. Below I list some of the best calming products for cats.

Feliway

Feliway has 3 items I have used with great success with my anxious Ragdoll Jewel. The first one is the Feliway 30 day starter kit Plug-In. This kit includes a diffuser and refill. I plugged mine near the litter box that Jewel was urinating around (notice I said not in!). For a multi-cat household you may want to consider the Feliway MultiCat 30 day diffuser and reflill kit. If all you need are the refills, you can easily find them here.

To have the success I had with Jewel, I used a combination of the plug-in kit, Feliway spray and increased my human interaction to let her know how much she is loved. I sprayed the Feliway spray all around the box and in other areas of the home that she frequents. I personally had great success. Feliway “mimics the natural facial pheromone cats mark their territory with when they feel safe, secure, and in control of their environment” (Feliway classic).

VetriScience Composure Behavioral Health Bite Sized Cat Chews

Not only does my cat think she’s getting a snack, but she is experiencing the benefits of a calming product. VetriScience is a veterinarian recommended brand. The active ingredients include Vitamin B1, Colostrum Calming Complex and L-Theanine (Suntheanine brand). I typically give her one at night and one in the morning before I leave for work. I can vouch at night she sleeps well. She is a very skiddish cat but with these snacks, she presents a little less stressed. I recommend VetriScience Composure chews.

Pet Essentials of Vermont

This calming chew is similar to Composure with similar ingredients. I do not have personal experience with this one, but it has 395 reviews on Chewy.com, most of which are positive. The ingredients include Vitamin B1, Colostrum Calming Complex and L-Theanine (Suntheanine brand). If you are comparing Pet Essentials chew with Composure, look at the ingredients mg totals, these do vary among the products. Access to Pet Essentials of Vermont here.

Royal Canin Veterinarian Diet

Royal Canin has so much variety among its line of cat foods. I alternate between this calm formula for Jewel and the hydrolized protein type for my cat Jasmine with allergies. I am a huge supporter of this brand of food.

Sentry HC Good Behavior Pheromone Cat Calming Collar

Now here is a great idea if your cat needs the constant pheromone scent nearby. This cat calming collar can make a huge difference for many. Just like many other calming products for cats, it often takes more than just one technique. The Sentry HC Good Behavior Pheromone Cat Calming Collar might work best in conjunction with Feliway spray or plug-ins.

Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement

If you are into homeopathic ideas, we found this Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement. Out of 481 reviews on Chewy.com, 82% recommend this product.

Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats

I LOVE Nature’s Miracle products! I have used them for years, especially for cleaning urine smells from carpeting. I find this spray works just as well as Feliway for cat stress reduction, so it really just comes down to personal preference.

Thundershirt

An alternative, or addition to the above ideas, is the ThunderShirt Anxiety & Calming Aid for Cats. Not only will your cat look super adorable wearing it, her anxiety will most likely reduce. It works by applying gentle, constant pressure to its torso, offering comfort and in turn reducing stress.

Road Trip

If you are searching for calming products for cats because you are planning a trip and are bringing the cats along, you may want to read my post called The Top 7 Tips for Traveling with the Family Pet. And if you subscribe to this blog, you will also receive a FREE checklist to help you prepare for your trip with your pets!

Calmer Days Ahead

Keep in mind cats will react differently with various products. I’ve had success with many of the items above, and I’ve also incorporated changes in my human to cat interactions. It’s typically a combination of effects that help create positive and calmer outcomes. Good luck with whatever you try and remember, eventually, there will be calmer days ahead!

That’s a Wrap!

If you have a problem cat, please leave a comment and let us know what worked for you to help reduce your cats’ anxieties and stress. Don’t forget to subscribe to never miss a post on cats, travel and making money with side hustle! Thanks for stopping by!