Home remedies are not an alternative to professional medical advice. If your pet has a serious issue, please consult your vet immediately. All cats will suffer from some form of stress and anxiety at some point in their lives. Whether it’s short-lived because the stressful event is going to the vet’s or traveling or it’s something that is a daily part of their lives, it’s always difficult for us to see our cats suffer. If you are trying to make an event less stressful for your cat or want to make your cat’s daily life a little easier but don’t know how, we go over your options. We have eight methods and products that you can try with your cat that are proven to be safe and effective. We hope that you can find something that helps make your cat a little calmer in the face of anxiety-driven events, without relying on medication.

  1. Catnip Image Credit By: Badon Hill Studio, Shutterstock The idea here is to tire them out. This won’t work for cats that tend to have anxiety issues over unexpected events, but if you are leaving for the vet’s in 15 or 20 minutes, try giving your cat a bit of catnip. The effect of catnip tends to last between 5 and 15 minutes, which is when your cat will expend a ton of energy and might zone out for a while afterward. This means your cat might feel calmer and more tired during the stressful event. Pros

All-natural

Cats love it!

100% safe for cats

Cons

Doesn’t directly help a cat with anxiety

Short-term effect

Not all cats react to catnip

Pet parents with anxious pets know the pain of watching your fur baby be uncomfortable—that’s where the Hepper Nest Bed comes in. This product is designed with nervous pets in mind making it our favorite bed for anxious pets. The bowl shape with rounded sides wraps around your pet to make them feel safe and secure, while the sherpa fleece insert and flexible molded foam ensure that they are as cozy as possible. Calming your anxious pets has never been easier. Click here to buy one today. At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

  1. Silver Vine/Valerian

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 北海道自然散策のススメ〜自然大国北海道〜 (@hokkaidou_nature)

This study shows that the silver vine plant is just as effective as catnip. It is a vine native to Japan, Korea, China, and eastern Russia. If you haven’t heard of it before, cats have a similar reaction to silver vine as they do to catnip. The effects of silver vine tend to last longer than catnip, so you’ll need to give it about 30 minutes before the stressful event. Some cats get quite sleepy after the effects wear off, which might make it a relaxing remedy. Valerian is another natural herb that can have a similar effect, but the study found that only 50% of cats responded to valerian compared to the 80% of cats that react to catnip and silver vine. Pros

Similar reaction as seen with catnip

Cats that don’t respond to catnip might like silver vine

Safe for cats to inhale and ingest

All-natural, and some cats sleep afterward

Cons

Like catnip, not all cats react to it

Short-term effect

  1. Thundershirt

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BeeJay – aka Mr. B! 🦁 (@chonkymrb)

The Thundershirt is a weighted vest that provides gentle pressure on your cat’s body, which can help calm an anxious cat. It’s designed to prevent anxiety during stressful events, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or the dreaded trip to the vet. Like catnip and silver vine, 80% of cats respond well to this product. Pros

Not an oral medication or herb

Can be worn for long periods

Can help with other behavioral issues: scratching, urine marking, etc.

Cons

Doesn’t work for all cats

Expensive

It can take a bit of time for your cat to get used to it

  1. Feliway

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍒 ˩σяɛ Ѵι∂αℓ🍒 (@ungramitodecanela)

Feliway is a plug-in that releases the scent that your cat is rubbing all over your house with that adorable face. Cats rub their faces on everything in their home, making everything smell like them, which makes them feel calmer and more comfortable. Feliway is a synthetic version of this unique pheromone, so when plugged in, it can ease your cat’s anxiety, and luckily, you won’t smell a thing. Feliway also has calming wipes. Pros

Released into the air

When it works, it works well

Cons

Only covers 700 sq. ft., so you might need multiple plug-ins (expensive)

Needs a minimum of 1 week to be effective

Doesn’t work outside of the house (but there is a spray)

Doesn’t work for all cats

  1. Calming Collar Image Credit By: dexmac, Pixabay There are several different calming collars that are exactly what they sound like. Your cat wears a collar that has a calming effect using pheromone technology. The pheromones in the product emulate the scent that a mother cat has around her kittens. This can make a cat feel calm and secure. Pros

Cats wear it everywhere

Pheromones meant to mimic the scent of a mother cat

Cons

Only lasts 30 days, so you’ll need to buy one collar a month

Some of these collars have a strong scent that cats might not like

Many calming collars don’t have a proper clasp, so they fall off easily

  1. Rescue Remedy Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic liquid that you can add to your cat’s food or treats (or directly in their mouth). It is completely natural, with five flower extracts and no added alcohol. This product has been around for a long time, and many vets recommend it. It can also be given after a stressful event to help calm your cat after the fact. Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock Pros

All-natural with no alcohol

Can be effective for stress relief

Recommended by vets

Cons

Needs to be given 30 minutes before the stressful event

Doesn’t work for all cats

  1. Calming Treats/Food Image Credit: Andriy Blokhin, Shutterstock There are calming treats and calming cat food that can help your anxious cat. The treats are usually given once a day and are meant to last all day. They don’t act as sedatives but are meant to make your cat feel calmer and less anxious. The food is designed to relax your cat and can help with digestive, skin, and urinary problems. Pros

If your cat has anxiety and other health issues, the food helps with everything

Effective at relaxing cats

The effects of one treat can last all day

Cons

If your cat doesn’t like the food or treat, you can’t force them to eat it

The food is expensive and needs vet authorization

Doesn’t work for every cat

  1. Music for Cats Image Credit: Lightspruch, Shutterstock This calming music speaker for cats plays 90 minutes of music designed to relax your stressed-out kitty. It’s wireless and can be placed near the area where your cat tends to hang out and sleep, or it can even be put in the car. It was specially made by a sound behaviorist, with specific frequencies for cats. When plugged in, it can play all day and all night continuously (if it works well and your cat seems to need it). Pros

Can be charged to play for 8 hours without being plugged in

Can travel in the car with you

Sound behaviorists created the music specifically for cats

Can be played all night or just during a stressful event

Cons

Expensive

Won’t calm every cat

Other Steps If you can figure out the specific source of your cat’s anxiety, you can take steps to help minimize it. Working with a cat behaviorist can also help, particularly if none of these methods seem to. Try spending extra time playing and bonding with your cat, which might help alleviate their anxiety. If your cat loves feather wands, spend time playing with your cat with one. This kind of playtime and bonding can make your cat feel more secure overall. Image Credit: Piqsels

Conclusion Sometimes these remedies might take a bit of time to truly work. Not every product will work for every cat. You might need to try several different items and methods until you find the right one. In some cases, you might need to use multiple methods for the best results. However, if your cat’s anxiety seems to be affecting their quality of life and nothing seems to be working, you should take your cat to the vet. Sometimes, you have no choice but to use anti-anxiety medication, particularly if your cat is causing self-injury and damage to your home. Your cat’s health and happiness are the most important things.

Featured Image Credit: Robyn Randell, Pixabay

Home remedies are not an alternative to professional medical advice. If your pet has a serious issue, please consult your vet immediately.

All cats will suffer from some form of stress and anxiety at some point in their lives. Whether it’s short-lived because the stressful event is going to the vet’s or traveling or it’s something that is a daily part of their lives, it’s always difficult for us to see our cats suffer.

If you are trying to make an event less stressful for your cat or want to make your cat’s daily life a little easier but don’t know how, we go over your options. We have eight methods and products that you can try with your cat that are proven to be safe and effective.

We hope that you can find something that helps make your cat a little calmer in the face of anxiety-driven events, without relying on medication.

1. Catnip

The idea here is to tire them out. This won’t work for cats that tend to have anxiety issues over unexpected events, but if you are leaving for the vet’s in 15 or 20 minutes, try giving your cat a bit of catnip.

The effect of catnip tends to last between 5 and 15 minutes, which is when your cat will expend a ton of energy and might zone out for a while afterward. This means your cat might feel calmer and more tired during the stressful event.

Pros

All-natural

Cats love it!

100% safe for cats

Cons

Doesn’t directly help a cat with anxiety

Short-term effect

Not all cats react to catnip

All-natural

Cats love it!

100% safe for cats

  • All-natural
  • Cats love it!
  • 100% safe for cats

Doesn’t directly help a cat with anxiety

Short-term effect

Not all cats react to catnip

  • Doesn’t directly help a cat with anxiety
  • Short-term effect
  • Not all cats react to catnip

This product is designed with nervous pets in mind making it our favorite bed for anxious pets. The bowl shape with rounded sides wraps around your pet to make them feel safe and secure, while the sherpa fleece insert and flexible molded foam ensure that they are as cozy as possible. Calming your anxious pets has never been easier. Click here to buy one today.

At Pet Keen, we’ve admired Hepper for many years and decided to take a controlling ownership interest so that we could benefit from the outstanding designs of this cool cat company!

2. Silver Vine/Valerian

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 北海道自然散策のススメ〜自然大国北海道〜 (@hokkaidou_nature)

This study shows that the silver vine plant is just as effective as catnip. It is a vine native to Japan, Korea, China, and eastern Russia. If you haven’t heard of it before, cats have a similar reaction to silver vine as they do to catnip.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 北海道自然散策のススメ〜自然大国北海道〜 (@hokkaidou_nature)

A post shared by 北海道自然散策のススメ〜自然大国北海道〜 (@hokkaidou_nature)

View this post on Instagram

View this post on Instagram

The effects of silver vine tend to last longer than catnip, so you’ll need to give it about 30 minutes before the stressful event. Some cats get quite sleepy after the effects wear off, which might make it a relaxing remedy.

Valerian is another natural herb that can have a similar effect, but the study found that only 50% of cats responded to valerian compared to the 80% of cats that react to catnip and silver vine.

Pros

Similar reaction as seen with catnip

Cats that don’t respond to catnip might like silver vine

Safe for cats to inhale and ingest

All-natural, and some cats sleep afterward

Cons

Like catnip, not all cats react to it

Short-term effect

3. Thundershirt

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BeeJay – aka Mr. B! 🦁 (@chonkymrb)

The Thundershirt is a weighted vest that provides gentle pressure on your cat’s body, which can help calm an anxious cat. It’s designed to prevent anxiety during stressful events, such as fireworks, thunderstorms, or the dreaded trip to the vet. Like catnip and silver vine, 80% of cats respond well to this product.

Similar reaction as seen with catnip

Cats that don’t respond to catnip might like silver vine

Safe for cats to inhale and ingest

All-natural, and some cats sleep afterward

  • Similar reaction as seen with catnip
  • Cats that don’t respond to catnip might like silver vine
  • Safe for cats to inhale and ingest
  • All-natural, and some cats sleep afterward

Like catnip, not all cats react to it

Short-term effect

  • Like catnip, not all cats react to it
  • Short-term effect

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BeeJay – aka Mr. B! 🦁 (@chonkymrb)

A post shared by BeeJay – aka Mr. B! 🦁 (@chonkymrb)

Pros

Not an oral medication or herb

Can be worn for long periods

Can help with other behavioral issues: scratching, urine marking, etc.

Cons

Doesn’t work for all cats

Expensive

It can take a bit of time for your cat to get used to it

4. Feliway

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍒 ˩σяɛ Ѵι∂αℓ🍒 (@ungramitodecanela)

Feliway is a plug-in that releases the scent that your cat is rubbing all over your house with that adorable face. Cats rub their faces on everything in their home, making everything smell like them, which makes them feel calmer and more comfortable.

Not an oral medication or herb

Can be worn for long periods

Can help with other behavioral issues: scratching, urine marking, etc.

  • Not an oral medication or herb
  • Can be worn for long periods
  • Can help with other behavioral issues: scratching, urine marking, etc.

Doesn’t work for all cats

Expensive

It can take a bit of time for your cat to get used to it

  • Doesn’t work for all cats
  • Expensive
  • It can take a bit of time for your cat to get used to it

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 🍒 ˩σяɛ Ѵι∂αℓ🍒 (@ungramitodecanela)

A post shared by 🍒 ˩σяɛ Ѵι∂αℓ🍒 (@ungramitodecanela)

Feliway is a synthetic version of this unique pheromone, so when plugged in, it can ease your cat’s anxiety, and luckily, you won’t smell a thing.

Feliway also has calming wipes.

Pros

Released into the air

When it works, it works well

Cons

Only covers 700 sq. ft., so you might need multiple plug-ins (expensive)

Needs a minimum of 1 week to be effective

Doesn’t work outside of the house (but there is a spray)

Doesn’t work for all cats

5. Calming Collar

There are several different calming collars that are exactly what they sound like. Your cat wears a collar that has a calming effect using pheromone technology.

Released into the air

When it works, it works well

  • Released into the air
  • When it works, it works well

Only covers 700 sq. ft., so you might need multiple plug-ins (expensive)

Needs a minimum of 1 week to be effective

Doesn’t work outside of the house (but there is a spray)

Doesn’t work for all cats

  • Only covers 700 sq. ft., so you might need multiple plug-ins (expensive)
  • Needs a minimum of 1 week to be effective
  • Doesn’t work outside of the house (but there is a spray)
  • Doesn’t work for all cats

The pheromones in the product emulate the scent that a mother cat has around her kittens. This can make a cat feel calm and secure.

Pros

Cats wear it everywhere

Pheromones meant to mimic the scent of a mother cat

Cons

Only lasts 30 days, so you’ll need to buy one collar a month

Some of these collars have a strong scent that cats might not like

Many calming collars don’t have a proper clasp, so they fall off easily

6. Rescue Remedy

Rescue Remedy is a homeopathic liquid that you can add to your cat’s food or treats (or directly in their mouth). It is completely natural, with five flower extracts and no added alcohol.

Cats wear it everywhere

Pheromones meant to mimic the scent of a mother cat

  • Cats wear it everywhere
  • Pheromones meant to mimic the scent of a mother cat

Only lasts 30 days, so you’ll need to buy one collar a month

Some of these collars have a strong scent that cats might not like

Many calming collars don’t have a proper clasp, so they fall off easily

  • Only lasts 30 days, so you’ll need to buy one collar a month
  • Some of these collars have a strong scent that cats might not like
  • Many calming collars don’t have a proper clasp, so they fall off easily

This product has been around for a long time, and many vets recommend it. It can also be given after a stressful event to help calm your cat after the fact.

Pros

All-natural with no alcohol

Can be effective for stress relief

Recommended by vets

Cons

Needs to be given 30 minutes before the stressful event

Doesn’t work for all cats

7. Calming Treats/Food

There are calming treats and calming cat food that can help your anxious cat. The treats are usually given once a day and are meant to last all day. They don’t act as sedatives but are meant to make your cat feel calmer and less anxious.

All-natural with no alcohol

Can be effective for stress relief

Recommended by vets

  • All-natural with no alcohol
  • Can be effective for stress relief
  • Recommended by vets

Needs to be given 30 minutes before the stressful event

Doesn’t work for all cats

  • Needs to be given 30 minutes before the stressful event
  • Doesn’t work for all cats

The food is designed to relax your cat and can help with digestive, skin, and urinary problems.

Pros

If your cat has anxiety and other health issues, the food helps with everything

Effective at relaxing cats

The effects of one treat can last all day

Cons

If your cat doesn’t like the food or treat, you can’t force them to eat it

The food is expensive and needs vet authorization

Doesn’t work for every cat

8. Music for Cats

This calming music speaker for cats plays 90 minutes of music designed to relax your stressed-out kitty. It’s wireless and can be placed near the area where your cat tends to hang out and sleep, or it can even be put in the car. It was specially made by a sound behaviorist, with specific frequencies for cats.

If your cat has anxiety and other health issues, the food helps with everything

Effective at relaxing cats

The effects of one treat can last all day

  • If your cat has anxiety and other health issues, the food helps with everything
  • Effective at relaxing cats
  • The effects of one treat can last all day

If your cat doesn’t like the food or treat, you can’t force them to eat it

The food is expensive and needs vet authorization

Doesn’t work for every cat

  • If your cat doesn’t like the food or treat, you can’t force them to eat it
  • The food is expensive and needs vet authorization
  • Doesn’t work for every cat

When plugged in, it can play all day and all night continuously (if it works well and your cat seems to need it).

Pros

Can be charged to play for 8 hours without being plugged in

Can travel in the car with you

Sound behaviorists created the music specifically for cats

Can be played all night or just during a stressful event

Cons

Expensive

Won’t calm every cat

Other Steps

If you can figure out the specific source of your cat’s anxiety, you can take steps to help minimize it. Working with a cat behaviorist can also help, particularly if none of these methods seem to.

Can be charged to play for 8 hours without being plugged in

Can travel in the car with you

Sound behaviorists created the music specifically for cats

Can be played all night or just during a stressful event

  • Can be charged to play for 8 hours without being plugged in
  • Can travel in the car with you
  • Sound behaviorists created the music specifically for cats
  • Can be played all night or just during a stressful event

Expensive

Won’t calm every cat

  • Expensive
  • Won’t calm every cat

Try spending extra time playing and bonding with your cat, which might help alleviate their anxiety. If your cat loves feather wands, spend time playing with your cat with one. This kind of playtime and bonding can make your cat feel more secure overall.

Conclusion

Sometimes these remedies might take a bit of time to truly work. Not every product will work for every cat. You might need to try several different items and methods until you find the right one. In some cases, you might need to use multiple methods for the best results.

However, if your cat’s anxiety seems to be affecting their quality of life and nothing seems to be working, you should take your cat to the vet. Sometimes, you have no choice but to use anti-anxiety medication, particularly if your cat is causing self-injury and damage to your home. Your cat’s health and happiness are the most important things.

Featured Image Credit: Robyn Randell, Pixabay