Tranquility in a Bottle: Calming Sprays for Cats

Key Points

• Feline facial pheromones make your cat feel more at ease and less aggressive.

• Natural ingredients like hemp oil, lavender, and valerian root have calming effects on pets.

• Calming sprays work well on objects your cat fears and in areas where your cat is more anxious.

If your cat acts aggressively, hissing and swatting at you, it may be more out of fear than spite. They may be nervous travelers or experiencing separation anxiety. Do you have multiple cats that quarrel often or fight at night Find tranquility in a bottle with calming sprays for cats, which emit synthetic pheromones to soothe anxiety.

Do You Need a Calming Spray?

There are many calming products available, but choosing the right one depends on several factors. These include how quickly you need the product to work, if you need it for more than one cat, whether the fear is situational or generalized, and the convenience or accessibility it provides.

Veterinarian Katie Grzyb, DVM, recommends various calming products for cats: "If you like the idea of treating your cat’s anxiety with pheromones, but you know that wearing anything would stress your cat out, try pheromone diffusers for cats. 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."

The Feliway diffuser uses the same ingredients as the calming spray but in a different form. Whereas a diffuser distributes the scent throughout a room or large space, sprays are meant for objects and small areas that upset your cat. If your particular situation calls for a spray, this article shows you some of the most popular and effective brands available on the market.

Feliway Classic Cat Calming Spray

Feliway Classic Cat Calming Spray is a renowned brand that mimics natural feline facial pheromones, helping cats feel secure and calm in their environment. This spray is perfect for spot treatments in certain areas or for traveling. Spray it in the car before going on a trip or inside your cat's carrier to create a more positive experience.

For multi-cat households, a diffuser may be more appropriate. This is especially true if you have cats that fight or when introducing a new cat to your existing one. When your cats sense the familiar pheromones, they may be more accepting of a newcomer.

Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control Spray

Comfort Zone Spray & Scratch Control Spray offers a scientifically formulated solution to reduce stress-related behaviors such as scratching and urine marking. The facial pheromones in this product are the same ones cats leave when headbutting or rubbing their face on familiar objects or people.

Comfort Zone uses the same type of pheromone technology as Feliway but may be less expensive. The company recommends spraying a small, inconspicuous area and allowing it to sit for 24 hours to see how your cat reacts.

Nature's Miracle Cat Calming Spray

Nature's Miracle Just for Cat Calming Spray combines calming plant extracts to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation in cats. Use it the same way as the others on this list, spraying areas where your cat spends time or tends to show more anxiety.

You may see results more quickly with this spray — even within 10 minutes. Based on customer feedback, this spray works for owners with multiple cats. Owners notice a decrease in scratching and excitable behaviors.

One cat owner provides a testimonial in a TikTok video posted on June 9, 2023. They say their cat went from extremely aggressive to friendly and cuddly within a couple of days of using this spray.

Sentry Calming Spray for Cats

Sentry Calming Spray for Cats is a trusted brand with a soothing pheromone formula to help cats cope with stressful situations. It comes in a one-ounce bottle, which is less than what you typically get with other brands. Even so, it may be more expensive. The ingredient analysis shows that the feline facial pheromone accounts for only 0.01 percent of the makeup, as opposed to 10 percent in Feliway's spray.

Despite the ratio of pheromone to inert ingredients, customers report that it works for their cats — they see a noticeable difference in behavior. If you try other brands without success, it may be worth it to pay a little extra for Sentry.

NaturVet Quiet Moments Herbal Calming Spray

NaturVet Quiet Moments Herbal Calming Spray is a plant-based formula enriched with natural ingredients to promote tranquility and alleviate stress in cats. It contains rosemary oil and extracts of valerian root, spikenard, and chamomile.

If you have concerns about the scientifically formulated ingredients of the synthetic pheromones of other products, this is a safe alternative. Some cats don't respond to pheromone sprays, so a formula with herbal ingredients may do the trick.

To reinforce its calming effects, use this spray in combination with NaturVet Calming Treats. The company offers options with melatonin or hemp. Customers recommend these products, saying they successfully calm their cats.

Relaxivet Calming Spray

Relaxivet Calming Spray is a gentle and effective option that uses a blend of pheromones and botanical extracts to soothe anxious cats and create a peaceful environment. The company claims to use maternal pheromones in its formula, along with other ingredients like rosemary, geranium, and catnip. Though the scent of catnip produces hyperactivity in many cats, when ingested, it creates a sense of calm.

Some customers say this product works for their cats, while others see no results. Multiple owners comment on the spray's strong scent. If your cat is sensitive to catnip or other scents, this may not be the best option.

Pet MasterMind Cool Kitty Cat Calming Spray

Pet MasterMind Cool Kitty Cat Calming Spray offers a calming effect through a proprietary blend of plant-based simulated cat pheromones. The term "pheromone" may be a bit misleading in this case, as Cool Kitty uses a plant-derived medley of passion flower and jasmine in their formula. These plants are famous for their calming effects on both people and animals.

Reviews are 50/50 between positive and negative results. While the ingredients are natural, and the formula contains no parabens or artificial preservatives, it doesn't contain pheromones.

ThunderEase Calming Spray for Cats

ThunderEase Calming Spray for Cats uses a formula to mimic a cat's natural facial pheromones, providing a sense of security and calmness in stressful situations. It reduces spraying in nine out of 10 cats and is easy to use.

ThunderEase is a vet-recommended product by the company famous for the ThunderShirt. Like other sprays, apply it to objects and areas your cat frequently encounters. If traveling, spray in their carrier at least 15 minutes before leaving.

Precautions When Using Calming Sprays

Don't apply any of the products on this list directly to your pet. Only spray objects, bedding, or inside carriers and cars. Allow the spray to settle before introducing your cat to the area.

If your cat shows any signs of skin irritation from contact or adverse reactions to the scents of these sprays, remove them from the area and contact your vet. It's best to test a small area first to see how your cat reacts. Remember, every cat has individual preferences and will respond differently to calming sprays.

From Cowering Kitty to Cool Cat

Cats develop fears of objects, places, or people, and you may never know why. You can try to help them overcome their apprehension with behavioral modifications and positive reinforcement, but sometimes that's not enough. If you have a scared kitty, it's worth giving one of these calming sprays a try. Watch your fearful feline go from afraid to laid back with a simple spray. Be patient, as results may take some time to appear.

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