A Complete Guide to the Best Calming Treats for Cats

Key Points

• Chamomile, hemp oil, and L-tryptophan are natural ingredients proven to calm anxious cats.

• Life stressors sometimes cause anxiety in cats, producing behavioral problems like aggression.

• Using calming treats with other natural remedies and behavioral modifications reinforces calm behavior.

Does your cat excessively meow, yowl, claw, or cower? They’re probably stressed. Discover the best calming treats for cats in this complete guide. Calming treats contain ingredients known to soothe an anxious feline. While they don’t cause your cat to fall asleep, they balance their nerves and bring them back to a normal emotional state.

If a calming treat isn’t enough, use them in combination with other calming care products for cats. Be sure to give them enrichment opportunities as well.

A TikTok video posted on August 19, 2023, by cat product company Uahpet gives a few ways to prevent anxiety in cats. The montage also makes you smile to watch these cats enjoying the “good life” of being a feline.

Causes of Anxiety in Cats

Every cat responds to stressors differently. Some cats are very independent and do very well when left alone; others develop separation anxiety. Some felines adapt well to change; others freak out if you so much as move their favorite chair.

The Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Science’s Indoor Pet Initiative provides insight into how to make your cat more comfortable when stress occurs:

“Life stressors are events and changes in your cat’s environment that may affect her well-being. Our research suggests that some cats are unusually sensitive to their surroundings. These cats may respond to life stressors by becoming uncomfortable, nervous, or fearful. Particularly susceptible cats may even get sick or develop behavioral problems such as aggression.”

Stress triggers include the introduction of new pets, frequent comings and goings, a new environment, vet visits, and traveling. Use behavior modification techniques in these situations and make any transitions gradually to avoid the onset of an anxiety attack.

However, this isn’t always enough. Calming treats and supplements are effective and safe ways to calm your anxious cat from the inside while you give them physical love and comfort on the outside. While the six products in this article are not the only options, they are among the best calming treats for cats. Read this guide to find the right option for your cat.

Composure Calming Formula

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02/19/2024 02:40 am GMT

VetriScience Composure Bite-Sized Chews

VetriScience Composure Bite-Sized Chews are calming treats that support relaxation and reduce stress in cats. They contain ingredients like thiamine, colostrum calming complex biopeptide blend, and L-theanine. Give them to your cat as needed or daily for ongoing, generalized anxiety.

You may double or triple the dose for larger cats or if a single dose doesn’t produce the desired effect. Do so only after clearing it with your vet, especially if your cat is on any other medication or supplements.

Reviews vary, but many customers say these treats work wonders. Preferences differ as far as taste and effectiveness, so trial and error may be necessary. These contain chicken liver flavor, which appeals to many cats.

Zesty Paws Calming Bites

Zesty Paws Calming Bites are delicious treats infused with natural ingredients like valerian root, chamomile, and L-tryptophan that promote calmness and soothing of anxious cats. The price is middle of the road, but most customers find them effective.

The bacon-flavored treat entices your cat to eat them, which sounds like an odd choice. Bacon is a favorite flavor for dogs but is not usually associated with cats. Be aware of your cat’s preferences when choosing this or any other treat.

These bites are only suitable for cats 12 weeks and over, and it’s best to start with half the recommended dose and then increase the amount if needed. Cats over 10 pounds can have up to four treats daily.

Sentry Calming Chews

Sentry Calming Chews have a crunchy outside and a creamy inside. If your cat doesn’t like the texture of the soft, chewy treats on this list, this one may work better. The downside is that at one chew per pound of body weight, they disappear quickly.

They also contain many of the same calming ingredients like thiamine, L-tryptophan, and L-theanine but in a smaller, crunchier form. They have no wheat, corn, or soy but include chicken meal as their flavoring agent. Sentry is famous for their other calming products like collars and diffusers, so the company knows what it’s doing when it comes to relieving anxiety.

To enhance effectiveness, use these treats in combination with a diffuser during thunderstorms or while you’re away.

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid

NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid is a soft chew formula with chamomile, melatonin, and ginger to promote relaxation and reduce anxiety in cats. This treat is a tasty option for cats who prefer the taste of salmon.

It’s best to give your cat one of these treats 30 minutes before a potentially stressful trigger. While some anxiety is unpredictable, plan for events like thunderstorms, fireworks displays, and vet visits.

If your cat prefers a different form, NaturVet offers Scoopables and a hemp version. They also make a calming spray to use inside your cat’s carrier or in the car before taking them on a trip.

Akongy Organic Calming Chews

Akongy Organic Calming Chews contain natural components like L-tryptophan, hemp oil, and melatonin. The benefits of hemp oil include anxiety relief, pain relief, and help with digestion. This is a great multifunctional tool to have on hand.

Akongy chews contain no grain, corn, gluten, or preservatives, so they’re perfect for cats with food allergies or sensitivities. They’re salmon-flavored, which most cats love. These are the most economical treats on this list, with more treats per container, even when giving two treats to a cat weighing less than 10 pounds.

Several cat owners say there’s a noticeable difference when they give their cats these treats. The pet is less active at night and shows less aggression. As with all products, results vary. Some customers say their cats don’t like them, but the treat works better when crushed up with some catnip or mixed in wet food.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Calming Care treats contain a hydrolyzed milk protein and tryptophan combination to manage anxiety and stress. This is the most expensive option on the list. If you know they work for your cat, the 90-day supply is more economical. Try a smaller size first. This is a costly option for trial and error and probably not the best solution for multi-cat households.

This unique product is a powder you sprinkle on your cat’s food. It’s vet-recommended and effective for cats with generalized anxiety and aggressive behaviors. The drawback is that it takes days or even weeks for the supplement to fully integrate into your cat’s system.

This isn’t a quick fix and requires patience, diligence, and the aforementioned budget. Since you put it in your cat’s food, you must also make sure your cat eats it all.

From Meow to Mellow

When you have a cat with anxiety, it disrupts the whole household. The cat’s stress often transfers to other pets and their owners — like one unhappy toddler sending the entire daycare into a cry-fest. Get a handle on your cat’s anxiety by using one of these treats or supplements.

Keep in mind that results vary among all cats. What works for one or even most doesn’t mean it works for all. Take into consideration your cat’s eating habits and their preference for texture and flavors before stocking up on a calming product. Ask your vet for their recommendations based on their familiarity with your cat and their needs.

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