When your furry friend starts exhibiting signs of anxiety, finding quick and effective ways to restore their peace of mind becomes a top priority. The good news? There are numerous proven techniques that can transform your agitated feline back into the serene companion you know and love. These methods don’t require expensive equipment or complicated procedures – just understanding what makes your cat feel safe and implementing simple changes that speak to their natural instincts.
Pheromone Diffusers and Sprays
Cat calming diffusers like the Feliway® plug-in diffuser can help with general anxiety in cats by emitting a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromones. These invisible chemical messages work like a secret language that tells your cat everything is safe and familiar in their environment.
Pheromone diffusers release a calming pheromone spray that helps your anxious cat relax. Diffusers use manmade pheromones that act just like natural ones. Pheromone spray may reduce stress-related behaviors, like hiding, scratching, and urine spraying. The diffusers plug into outlets and cover up to 700 square feet.
Creating Elevated Safe Spaces
Ensuring your cat always has space to escape from the chaos is a good way to reduce their stress. A quiet spot somewhere high up is ideal. Your cat’s desire to climb isn’t just about exercise – it’s about feeling secure and in control.
Vertical spaces provide your cat with several key benefits: A Sense of Security: Cats feel safest when they can observe their environment from an elevated position. Climbing to a high perch allows them to feel more in control and less vulnerable to sudden changes in their surroundings. Consider installing cat trees or wall-mounted shelves that give your feline friend multiple levels to choose from when they need to retreat.
Providing Hiding Boxes and Enclosed Spaces
A study published in the journal Animal Welfare showed that cats who have a place to get away show significantly less stress than those who do not – and they’re more likely to approach the front of the cage. Even a simple cardboard box can work wonders for an anxious cat.
Hiding spots and safe spaces act as stress-free zones, allowing cats to decompress and recharge. From a cat’s perspective, the best hiding places are the right size for them and enclosed. Don’t underestimate the power of giving your cat somewhere to disappear when the world feels overwhelming.
Gentle Physical Touch and Petting
Most of us have experienced the calming effect of interacting with our feline friends, and numerous studies suggest that interaction with cats and dogs can have beneficial physiologic and psychological effects on us. This benefit works both ways – your calm, gentle touch can significantly reduce your cat’s stress levels.
Cats, like all creatures, respond well to positive reinforcement. Use treats or favorite toys to reward your cat during and after handling to create a positive association with the experience and encourage cooperation. The key is reading your cat’s body language and respecting their boundaries while offering comfort through gentle strokes in their preferred areas.
Calming Supplements and Natural Remedies
These chews contain chamomile and passion flower, thiamine, ginger, and tryptophan. There is also melatonin in this supplement, which is a natural chemical produced in the brain that helps cats to to sleep. Natural supplements can be particularly effective for cats who experience ongoing anxiety.
Supplements with calming effects are a great option for owners dealing with issues related to cat anxiety and stress. Purina’s Calming Care is a patented probiotic that has been shown to decrease nervous behaviors, promote positive behaviors, blunt cortisol response, and support a healthy immune system. Always consult with your veterinarian before starting any supplement regimen.
Specialized Cat Music and Sound Therapy
But instead of Bach or Debussy, it’s now ‘cat music’ which seems to be more effective for calming your feline friend, according to a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. ‘Cat music’ adopts cat vocalisations into its composition, mimicking the sounds of purring or suckling, as well as using frequencies similar to the vocal range of cats – which is two octaves higher than our own.
The outcome was as expected, with cat stress scores “significantly decreased” in all the felines who listened to ‘cat music’. Calming music to play for your cat when you leave for work. These relaxing musical sounds of nature will be sure to soothe your anxious or stressed cat while you’re away!
Compression Wraps and ThunderShirts
The Thundershirt® for cats is a kitty-sized compression vest that applies a gentle, constant pressure, much like swaddling a baby. Reportedly, this pressure can calm anxious and stressed-out animals. Think of it like a comforting hug that your cat can wear.
The weighted ThunderShirt wraps around your furry friend’s body, providing gentle, consistent pressure that induces a sense of calm. ThunderShirts can be worn daily for general anxiety or placed on your cat before a potentially stressful event. The continuous pressure helps many cats feel more secure and grounded during stressful situations.
Maintaining Consistent Daily Routines
Cats are creatures of habit. Routine is important to them. Anything that disrupts this can leave them feeling stressed. Your cat finds comfort in knowing what to expect throughout their day.
When setting your cat’s routine, don’t forget about playtime. Having structured playtime is important for maintaining the overall health and wellbeing of your cat. It gives them an outlet to release pent-up energy and strengthens the bond between you and your feline which can be used in your favor when dealing with stress and anxiety. Regular feeding times, play sessions, and sleep schedules create a predictable environment that reduces anxiety.
Calming Treats and Special Diets
Calming your cat may be as simple as feeding it a special treat. Simply offer the treats 30 minutes before a trip to the veterinarian, a long car ride, during a thunderstorm, or in any other situation that stresses your kitty. These treats work quickly and don’t leave your cat feeling drowsy.
Treats contain natural ingredients, like L-theanine and thiamine, that reduce stress and anxiety, help your cat feel calm, and improve its mood. Royal Canin’s Calm Dry Cat Food contains hydrolyzed milk protein and L-tryptophan, ingredients that reduce stress. The food is also enriched with fiber to keep hairballs under control.
Strategic Environmental Management
It might seem obvious, but ensuring your cat has all of their essential items can help reduce stress. Where you put these items can also have a surprising impact on your cat’s stress levels too. Cats prefer to have their food bowl, water bowl and litter tray in separate locations. The placement of everyday items matters more than most cat owners realize.
The foundation of keeping your cat calm starts with their environment. Cats thrive in spaces that offer security, predictability, and opportunities for natural behaviors. Provide multiple elevated perches, covered beds, and quiet retreat areas throughout your home. These safe spaces allow your cat to observe their surroundings while feeling protected and in control.
Conclusion
Creating a calm environment for your stressed cat doesn’t require dramatic changes to your home or lifestyle. The most effective approaches often involve understanding your cat’s natural instincts and providing simple solutions that address their basic needs for safety, routine, and control. Whether it’s a cozy hiding spot, soothing music designed specifically for feline ears, or the gentle pressure of a compression wrap, these techniques can transform your anxious cat into a peaceful companion.
Remember that every cat is unique, and what works wonders for one might not be as effective for another. The key is patience and willingness to try different combinations of these calming strategies. With time and consistency, you’ll discover which methods resonate most with your particular feline friend. What surprised you most about these natural calming techniques?
Andrew Alpin from India is the Brand Manager of Doggo digest. Andrew is an experienced content specialist and social media manager with a passion for writing. His forte includes health and wellness, Travel, Animals, and Nature. A nature nomad, Andrew is obsessed with mountains and loves high-altitude trekking. He has been on several Himalayan treks in India including the Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
