How Do I Find A Calming Product For My Cat?

These cat calming supplements come as a chewable bite, so your cat will think it’s a yummy treat. They contain Suntheanine (a form of the amino acid L-theanine), L-tryptophan, chamomile and melatonin — basically everything your cat needs to help him stay calm. One cat parent reviewer said, “This stuff is a lifesaver.” Another reviewer said, “The treats have really calmed him down. Visiting the groomer isn't such a hectic nightmare anymore.”

Both vets recommend Feliway if you want to try a pheromone product. 

“I recommend using Feliway pheromone diffusers,” Dr. Burch said. “The pheromones used are synthetic hormones that mimic the ones produced by mother cats to calm their young. Having this pheromone available for your cat to smell and stimulate the olfactory system can reduce anxiety.”

There’s a reason this product is so loved by vets and cat parents — it really works. It’s clinically proven to reduce scratching and urinating as a result of stress in 9 out of 10 cats, and you may see results as early as seven days after starting to use the diffuser. For best results, you should plug in the diffuser in the room where your cat spends the most time to help him feel comfortable in his environment.

Both Dr. Burch and Dr. Wooten recommend Zylkene.

“Zylkene uses a milk protein and is an awesome natural calming product for cats,” Dr. Wooten said.

The milk protein alpha-casozepine promotes relaxation in babies and has a similar effect in cats. This protein is found in cow’s milk and calms cats’ anxiety with no sedating or tranquilizing effects. Even though it’s made with milk protein, it’s lactose-free, so it’s safe for cats who have any lactose intolerance. It also has no preservatives, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for a natural product. The capsules can be given directly to your cat, or they can be broken and sprinkled in your cat’s food if he refuses to take pills.

“I recommend the ThunderShirt by ThunderWorks as the best calming jacket,” Dr. Burch said. “Like swaddling a baby or using a weighted blanket, a compression jacket will apply gentle and constant pressure to your cat's torso. The gentle pressure releases the calming hormone oxytocin and endorphins.”

If you’re not ready to give your cat supplements or medications, or if you want to try a physical aid in combination with supplements, a ThunderShirt is a great option. It can be used for any stressful situation, such as trips to the vet, thunderstorms, travel and fireworks. It can even be used to help calm your cat’s separation anxiety. It’s machine-washable and is resistant to pet hair, so you don’t have to worry about his fur getting all over it.

“I recommend the NurtureCALM pheromone collar to help calm cats,” Dr. Burch said. “The pheromone which is embedded in the collar helps reduce fear and stress during unpleasant events. The collar emits pheromones for up to 30 days and is with your cat anywhere in the house.”

Similar to the pheromone diffuser, this collar replicates pheromones that a mother cat produces to calm her kittens. Since your cat will wear his collar all the time, the calming effects of the pheromones will follow him wherever he goes — even if that’s on a stressful trip to the vet.

Both vets recommend Feliway wipes.

“I recommend using Feliway calming wipes,” Dr. Burch said. “The wipes are best used when traveling either to the veterinary office or a new home. The calming wipes mimic a cat's natural facial pheromone to help create a state of familiarity and security.”

These wipes are useful for short-term calming, like for wiping down his carrier for traveling. You can also use them to wipe down areas in your home to create spots that your cat will find comfortable in your house (like your cat’s bed). The wipes also come in individual packets for easy use when you’re on the go.

If your cat has severe anxiety, your vet may suggest prescription medication to help. 

“I believe that gabapentin is the best calming product out there,” Dr. Wooten said. “It is a muscle relaxant medication and does require a prescription, but [it’s good] for cats that have severe anxiety, especially anxiety associated with veterinary visits and boarding.”

You should talk to your vet if your cat has severe anxiety to see if they recommend a stronger prescription medication such as gabapentin.

“[I recommend] Assisi Loop, which uses targeted EMF therapy to reduce anxiety and pain and inflammation as well!” Dr. Wooten said

If you want to get really high-tech (and splurge a little), you can try this product that delivers electromagnetic field signals to stimulate your cat’s anti-inflammatory response. This not only helps with anxiety, but also with pain and inflammation. It’s small and portable, so you can easily take it with you wherever you go. It also automatically shuts off after 15 minutes, so you don’t have to remember to turn it off.