It seems like almost every single pet product these days is ‘vet-recommended’. How can so many cat products be recommended by vets? Which products truly are veterinarian-recommended? Dr. Jess compiled her own list of vet-recommended calming cat treats:
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Why Do Cats Stress and Have Anxiety?
Cats can be the biggest balls of stress out there.
Sometimes we can figure out what they are stressing out and other times we have no idea why they are acting so stressed.
And even other times, a veterinary trip is in order to find out an underlying medical cause for the stress and anxiety.
Here is a quick list of common reasons cats show signs of stress and anxiousness:
- Changes in the home: a new carpet cleaner, a different furniture arrangement in a room, a new cat addition to the family, etc.
- Acute stressors: These are short-term events that can really cause stress and alarm for your feline friend, such as fireworks, a smoke detector going off, or a thunderstorm.
- Medical issues: If you cat is under the weather and has a medical issue making them not feel all that great, or if they sense another cat in the house is ill.
- Upset Stomach: sometimes changes in the diet, illnesses, or eating habits can lead to an upset stomach that can not only lead to stress on their physical digestive tract, but also lead to more stress on the mental side of things.
What to Look For in Calming Treats:
Are they palatable? Is your cat going to eat them? These calming treats won’t help anyone if your cat won’t take them. What flavor does your cat like to snack on? Do they like soft or hard and crunchy treats? – buy calming treats in the flavor, texture, and shape that your cat prefers.
Check out the active ingredients: or what are the ingredients the treat is using to create the “calming” effect?
Frequency of feeding: How often can you feed these treats to your cat? Can you double or triple dose when necessary? All treats are not created equal, so check the label before giving your cat these treats, especially if you care hand delivering them to your pet frequently.
Benefits of Using Calming Cat Treats
- Reduce the stress in stressful situations: like fireworks and thunderstorms or even house guests or changes in your cat’s everyday environment
- Reduce general anxiety or nervousness: For everyday or general anxiety issues
- Soothing upset stomachs: Many calming kitty treats contain ginger, which can help to sooth stomach aches.
- Treats as positive reinforcement: Treat your cat when they deserve a treat!
How Do Calming Cat Treats Work?
These products use things like herbs (think chamomille, skullcap, etc.), flower essences, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to produce a calming effect, soothing without sedating.
Dr. Jess’ List of Calming Cat Treats:
This list contains recommended calming cat treats.
If you are looking for calming cat diffusers, check out Dr. Jess’s article on Comfort Zone vs Feliway before you make any purchasing decisions.
Top Vet-Recommended Calming Cat Treats
How are there so many cat products recommended by veterinarians? Which products truly are veterinarian-recommended? Dr. Jess compiled her own list of vet-recommended calming cat treats just for you!
Pet Naturals of Vermont - Calming for Cats
On the PetNaturals.com website, the company describes these treats as, "Calming for Cats chews are a calming supplement designed to support relaxation especially when your cat is stressed out. When your cat can’t deal with your holiday guests or you want him to stay calm on that long trip to the vet, Calming chews are a convenient opportunity to help him relax. Three ingredients work together to support calm behavior without sedation or personality changes. No herbals used.".
I really like that in times of high stress, you can double or triple the number of treats given to your cat in order to keep them calm.
In my experience with any calming product, it is best to give the calming agent before the stressful begins to occur.
NaturVet –Quiet Moments Calming Aid for Cats Plus Melatonin
NaturVet uses thiamine and L-tryptophan in hopes to help reduce stress and tension in cats that consume their product.
Melatonin is added because it has been shown in many studies to help promote rest and relaxation.
I really like the added bit of ginger as an ingredient to help soothe upset stomachs from stress!
Vet Classics Stress Away Calming Aid for Cats
VetClassics.com website explains this product this way: "Natural, chemical free solution to help support the nervous system in reducing stress and tension and to promote relaxation. Great for new environments, travel, fireworks, thunderstorms, prior to grooming, separation anxiety, and introducing a new family pet."
I like that these come in a sturdy bucket and lid, perfect for packing in a bag while traveling or on the go.
ThunderWunders Cat Calming Chews
The manufacturer of these calming treats also makes ThunderShirts and I've seen both products work on pets!
Thundershirt.com explains their product this way: "Calm now comes in a bite-sized bit for cats! ThunderWunders calming chews help to keep your cat calm and relaxed in typically stressful situations. Vets recommend these calming chews for travel, vet visits, visitors, changes in the home, or other situations that may cause anxiousness for your cat."
VetriScience Laboratories Composure, Calming Formula for Cats, 30 Bite-Sized Chews
These VetriScience Laboratories Composure Bite-Sized Chews use Colostrum, L-Theatine and Thiamine to ease nervousness without effecting your cat’s personality and they have a chicken liver flavor that I have seen kiity patients really love!
ThunderWunders Cat Calming Paw Gel
As mentioned above, Thundershirts has a line of calming aids for pets. This calming gel is pretty cool and I've seen it work on kitty patients!
The gel is placed on the cat's paw, and while the cat naturally cleans itself, it will contact the gel, lick it, and ingest it while it is doing it's daily routine of keeping clean.
Here is Thundershirt.com's explanation of the gel: "Apply vet recommended ThunderWunders Cat Calming Paw Gel on your cat’s paw to help promote calming and relaxation in stressful situations, like travel, vet visits, visitors, changes in the home, and more! Through natural ingredients, like oat, chamomile, and passionflower, the gel helps to calm and soothe your cat while they clean themselves. Simply apply the gel to you cat’s paw, and watch them lick their anxiety away!"
If you have a product in mind that would be a great fit for this list, send a note to Dr. Jess.
She may just add it to this list!
And always remember, monitor and closely watch your kitty whenever feeding them treats and reach out to your local vet if you have any questions.
