Some of our favorite calming aids for cats are now on sale ahead of Cyber Monday! The Feliway Optimum Enhanced Calming Plug-In Diffuser, the Feliway Classic Calming Spray for Cats, and the ThunderShirt Anxiety Vest for Cats are all marked down. Vetriscience Composure Chews are also on sale. Dramard, V., Kern, L., Hofmans, J. et al. Effect of l-theanine tablets in reducing stress-related emotional signs in cats: an open-label field study. Ir Vet J 71, 21 (2018). Just like people, cats produce a chemical called melatonin that’s associated with the regulation of sleep-wake cycles. Safe for cats over the age of 12 weeks, NaturVet Quiet Moments Cat Soft Chews combines the sleep-inducing effects of melatonin with tryptophan, an amino acid the brain uses in the production of soothing serotonin. It too has been proven to increase sleepiness. These chews also include chamomile and ginger, which isn’t a calming aid, but has been used as an anti-nausea herbal supplement for thousands of years ( scientific studies have found that ginger was effective for relieving mild nausea during human pregnancy). This all makes NaturVet Soft Chews especially useful for road trips.

Even cats can find life stressful, no matter how well they hide it! Whether there are changes happening, such as a new addition to the family or a change of home, or if your cat suffers from social stress, dislikes noise or has separation anxiety, here at zooplus we offer a range of different cat calming treatment options to make life more relaxed for you and your pet. We’ve tested more than 20 popular and bestselling cat litters, both in our New York testing lab and in the homes of dozens of volunteer cat owners. Fresh Step Clean Paws Calm Clumping Cat Litter was one of the highest rated litters in our latest round of tests. If you have a cat with an anxious personality, you can give these daily or you can administer them as needed during particularly stressful times.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements are some of our favorite probiotics ( for dogs too), and their Calming Care formula opens up a new and exciting realm in the use of beneficial bacteria. While most probiotics are targeted at digestion issues, by supplementing your pet’s gut flora, Purina Pro Plan’s Calming Care uses a unique strain of Bifidobacterium longum called BL999, which reduces the effects of cortisol—a hormone connected to stress. While using beneficial bacteria to alter hormonal chemistry is a cutting edge field, Purina claims to have found improvements in anxious behaviors, while further promoting play and sociability. The supplements can be used long-term for especially anxious cats, or used for a few weeks or months after a major change, such as moving to a new home. So far, probiotic calming for pets looks very promising, with institutions like the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine monitoring the field’s progress. Refill: sadly stress is bound to appear at various points throughout your cat’s life, so keep your diffuser topped up with refill bottles! So, what should you look for? The best calming aids contain pheromones, rosemary, chamomile, and/or tryptophan, says Satchu. Because cats are individuals, and no product will be effective with 100 percent of cats, you may need to try several categories of calming aid to find the one that works for your feline. Introduce one of these stress-reducing treatments at key points in your pet’s life, such as moving home or new family members, or during more common occurrences such as vet visits or travel.

Salmon flavored and made in the United States, NaturVet chews also include brewers yeast, flaxseed, tapioca starch, rosemary extract, and other ingredients that should appeal to your cat’s palate. It’s recommended that your cat take two chews approximately 30 minutes before a stressful event. Cats should not be given no more than four chews in a 12-hour period. While there is some evidence for chamomile’s calming properties in humans, more study is needed to determine how much cats may benefit from the same effects. Similarly, while hemp seed oil is a good source of omega fatty acids and other beneficial nutrients, there’s no evidence demonstrating that the scent alone will have a proven calming effect on cats. But while there’s little reason to believe that Fresh Step Calm will have a significant effect on your cat’s mood or behavior, its scent can still make your litter box area a more soothing space for you. According to Dr. Zay Satchu, DVM, co-founder and Chief Veterinary Officer of Bond Vet, there are several different types of products available for relieving stress and anxiety in cats, including treats, collars, sprays and plug-ins.While there isn’t yet independent research into the specific pheromone formula found in the Feliway Optimum Enhanced Calm diffuser, we’re inclined toward the product that most reflects the gains in our understanding of cat chemical communication since Feliway was first introduced in the 90s. Srivastava JK, Shankar E, Gupta S. Chamomile: A herbal medicine of the past with bright future. Mol Med Report. 2010;3(6):895-901. Collar: a cat calming collar releases the soothing catnip extracts directly where they need to be, helping ensure your cat is relaxed for as long as 30 days.

DePorter, Theresa L, et al. “ Evaluation of the efficacy of an appeasing pheromone diffuser product vs placebo for management of feline aggression in multi-cat households: a pilot study.” Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. DOI: 10.1177/1098612X18774437There are various different treatments, so that you can find the right one for both you and your cat, including sprays and tablets as well as diffusers. These can be great in reducing stress and comforting your cat. Ceva claims this pheromone complex “provides an enhanced message of social confidence and safety in the cat’s environment,” citing internal research finding that the Optimum formula helps “with more stress-related signs faster than existing pheromones.” Spray: sprays can be introduced as needed into whichever rooms you require, or they can be sprayed around furniture to help combat unwanted scratching behaviour designed to make territory. Feliway also options a scratch-specific option for encouraging your cat to scratch toys rather than furniture!

Hartmann E. Effects of L-tryptophan on sleepiness and on sleep. J Psychiatr Res. 1982-1983;17(2):107-13. doi: 10.1016/0022-3956(82)90012-7. PMID: 6764927. Capsules: introduce a nutritional supplement to your cat’s diet to relieve unwanted stress, according to the instructions provided. It can be sprinkled over food or fed as a treat, making it a simple way to adapt and improve your cat’s lifestyle.While the relation between chemical signals in the environment and your cat’s stress levels is not well understood, some small studies have shown promising results. A primary pheromone found in Feliway diffusers significantly reduces urine spraying, which can be a strong indicator of stress. It’s worth disclosing that some studies have been funded by the Feliway’s manufacturer, Ceva Santé Animale. More research into the uses of synthetic pheromones is welcome, but for now there is good reason to believe that a Feliway Diffuser can be an effective stress reliever for many cats. Just like people, cats can get stressed out from time to time. Boredom, overstimulation (too much noise and/or excessive touching), and changes in their environment are all potential stressors. While the causes of your cat’s stress should be your first target, calming aids can help soothe them through unavoidable changes to their environment.