Top 4 Herbal and Homeopathic Cat Calming Products

Key Points

• All cats can experience extreme anxiety or nervousness in situations such as being taken to the vet or moving homes.

• The most common (and effective) natural ingredients in herbal and homeopathic cat-calming products are valerian, chamomile, and passiflora.

• Due to the natural formula in some of these chews and drops, their effectiveness varies from one cat to the next.

• Some calming products include extras such as probiotics, which positively influence a cat's digestive transit.

Every cat who is taken out of their environment feels uneasy, and some can experience severe stress. Many products claim to calm a cat down before or during stressful events, but most are made with chemical-based ingredients. To make things worse, not all of them are effective.

Veterinarian Lizzie Youens claims that the evidence is somewhat lacking when it comes to herbal supplements for cats, as not enough solid clinical trials have been performed in this species.

Even so, the most significant reason to try out herbal and homeopathic cat calming products is that, while you do not know if they're going to work for your cat, at least you aren't exposing your pet to health risks whatsoever.

Why Choose Homeopathic Cat Calming Products?

Most of the products in today's article are made with plants, and many do not even have strong scents (such as lavender, for example).

If your cat is experiencing anxiety for causes that are inapparent, be sure to contact your veterinarian or seek out the services of a pet behaviorist. Sometimes, there could be stressful agents in your cat's living environment that you might not even be aware of.

1. Ark Naturals Happy Traveler Soft Chews

The Ark Naturals Happy Traveler Soft Chews are formulated to provide relief from anxiety and stress in cats. These chews contain a combination of natural ingredients such as Valerian, Chamomile, and St. John's Wort, known for their calming properties. The soft chews are made with high-quality ingredients and do not contain any artificial flavors or colors.

Do They Work?

Many cat owners report positive results with the Ark Naturals Happy Traveler Soft Chews. The calming ingredients help to soothe their cats during stressful situations, such as car rides or vet visits. The chews work by promoting relaxation and reducing anxiety without causing drowsiness or sedation.

Probiotics

Unlike other homeopathic cat calming products, the Ark Naturals option contains both prebiotics and probiotics. In other words, your cat will not only calm down, but they will experience balanced digestion. The added probiotics allow your cat's gut microbiome to thrive, ensuring that your pet doesn't experience bloating or diarrhea and doesn't get sick as easily.

Potential Side Effects and Safety Considerations

The Ark Naturals Happy Traveler Soft Chews are generally safe for cats when used as directed. However, some cats may experience mild digestive upset if they have never received these snacks before. It is recommended to start with a small dose and monitor your cat's reaction. If any adverse effects occur, discontinue use and consult with a veterinarian.

2. Bach Rescue Remedy Pet Drops

Bach Rescue Remedy Pet Drops are a popular choice for calming cats. This product contains a blend of flower essences, including rock rose, clematis, and impatiens, which are believed to provide emotional support and stress relief.

Effectiveness

The Bach Rescue Remedy Pet Drops have been widely praised for their effectiveness in calming cats. The natural ingredients work to stabilize emotions and promote relaxation, making these pet drops suitable for various stressful situations, such as thunderstorms or fireworks.

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Customer Feedback

Many cat owners have reported positive experiences with Bach Rescue Remedy Pet Drops. They have noticed a significant reduction in their cat's anxiety levels and an improvement in overall behavior. The drops are easy to administer by adding them to the cat's drinking water or directly onto their paws for them to lick off. They do not contain any alcohol or other potentially dangerous ingredients.

3. HomeoPet Anxiety Relief

HomeoPet Anxiety Relief is a homeopathic formula designed to reduce anxiety in a variety of animal species. It contains a combination of natural ingredients like Aconitum napellus, Argentum nitricum, and Ignatia amara, known for their calming effects. It does not have any chemicals and can be used on cats, rabbits, dogs, or pet birds.

Does It Work?

HomeoPet Anxiety Relief has shown to be effective in many cases, helping cats feel more at ease during stressful situations, whether they be visits to the veterinary clinic, moving homes, or kenneling. As per the recommendations made by certified trainer Rosie Ellis in July 2023, separation anxiety in cats could have many of the symptoms it causes in dogs (clinginess, excessive vocalization, or excessive grooming).

Customer Feedback

These drops seem to be quite effective on a wide range of animals, from canines to felines. Most of the reviews that the product has acquired detail situations where cats needed to be seen by a vet or groomed and did not suffer from the same amount of anxiety or restlessness as they normally would.

Due to the natural formula, HomeoPet Anxiety Relief may not provide the same effects on all animals. However, it can be a life savior for circumstances such as thunderstorms or fireworks.

4. HomeoPet Feline Anxiety Relief

HomeoPet Feline Anxiety Relief is specifically formulated for calming anxious cats. It contains a blend of homeopathic ingredients like staphysagria, Valeriana officinalis, and passiflora, known for their calming properties.

Effectiveness

HomeoPet Feline Anxiety Relief has proved to be effective in many cases, helping cats feel more relaxed and less anxious. While the natural blend in the formula doesn't guarantee success every time, this product does seem to do a good job when it comes to calming down cats that are suffering from separation anxiety or restlessness due to frequent vet visits.

Some pet owners say that it works even in cats who suffer from cognitive dysfunction (a form of feline dementia), allowing both the first and the second to rest properly at night.

User Reviews

The majority of the cat guardians who have given this product a try report positive experiences. It seems to work even in pets that have tried diffusers, chews, and many other forms of calming solutions. The most common concern expressed in the reviews that we have consulted was related to the strong alcohol smell.

Luckily, the brand clearly notes that while alcohol is used as a preservative for the herbal ingredients, most bottles do not contain more than one drop worth of this ingredient.

Would Your Cat Benefit From a Natural Calming Product?

Cats aren't very obvious when it comes to showing signs of distress or disease. While the type of anxiety that they experience in very stressful situations, such as being taken to the animal hospital, is evident, there could be milder clinical signs that can go unnoticed.

Here are a few symptoms that your cat might be showing if they are generally nervous or anxious:

• Destructive behaviors

• Peeing or pooping outside of the litter box

• Changes in your pet's appetite (sometimes they eat too much, other times not enough)

• Excessive meowing

• Hiding

If your pet is showing any of these signs, it might be time for you to visit the vet and ask for a recommendation either for a pet behaviorist or a cat calming product.

Avoid using incense or essential oils, even if they are made with valerian, passiflora, lemon balm, or other theoretically harmless ingredients. Cats are extremely sensitive to scents and perfumes and they can easily irritate their respiratory tract.

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