14 Best Cat Calming Supplements For Anxiety & Stress
- May 27, 2023
- By Dr. Deborah Fletcher
There are numerous reasons why our pets may experience anxiety or stress. If you have a nervous or stressed-out cat under specific settings, you can buy pills to assist reduce some of their symptoms.
Because these supplements do not require a prescription, there is no need to worry about refills—and you can take them as needed.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has compiled a list of the best cat calming supplements for anxiety & stress to help you feel better.
Hopefully, these reviews will assist you in determining the best treatment for your frightened kitten.
Reviews
Best Overall: Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement
We believe you’ll enjoy Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement for your kitties. It’s our personal favorite because it’s natural and effective, and it’s also vet-recommended.
It works like a charm to alleviate any unpleasant emotions your cat may be experiencing. The formula calls for five flower combinations to calm your worried cat: the Star of Bethlehem, Rock Rose, Cherry Plum, Impatiens, and Clematis.
Each one has been connected to calming effects that will benefit your cat. These drops are administered orally. Simply add 4 drops to water and give to your cat. It also does not stop with your cat.
This is completely safe to give to almost any home pet. It may not work for all cats, depending on the level of their anxiety.
Pros
- Veterinary recommendation
- Natural
- Simple to administrate
Cons
- It is possible that this method will not work for all cats.
Premium Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Supplement
Vetoquinol Zylkene Behavior Support Capsules Small Dog & Cat Supplement may work wonderfully if you don’t mind spending a little extra for maximum performance.
Unlike drops, capsules deliver a stronger punch, making them suitable for more complex anxiety conditions. Each bottle contains thirty tablets, and you can select for auto-shipping to avoid the inconvenience of reordering.
Because this formula is non-drowsy, you won’t have to worry about making your pet sleepy or disrupting their routine.
The beneficial element in the bottle is alpha-casozepine, a stress-relieving component found in cow’s milk but without the lactose.
These pills should be taken on an as-needed basis, so only give them this medicine if they are experiencing severe anxiety.
Pros
- For more severe anxiety problems
- Non-drowsy
- There is no lactose.
Cons
- Pricey
Solliquin Calming Cat Soft Chews by Nutramax
If you have a large adult cat, you should give these Nutramax Solliquin Calming Cat Soft Chews a try.
These chews contain a variety of chemicals to encourage ultimate stress relief, so always check the label or consult your veterinarian before administering to ensure they’re the best choice for your feline.
Unlike other stress relievers, these chews promote sleep, which has an impact on their whole routine. They’re safe enough to use on a daily basis and should be ideal for calming down an anxious cat.
This variety is better suited for cats who have more serious nerve difficulties rather than those who only require temporary relief during vet visits.
These chews are intended to supplement an actual behavioral strategy to alleviate anxiety with the assistance of your veterinarian.
They can be beneficial for up to 45 days, so don’t expect to see effects right away if you feed these chews to your cat.
Pros
- Long-term care services
- Aids in sleep
- It encourages overall behavioral improvements.
Cons
- Not for quick relief
Calming Cat Chews by ThunderWunders
ThunderWunders Calming Cat Chews can be used as needed to relieve any immediate tension from current events. They’re the right bite-size with tempting chicken flavor, so your cat will be duped into thinking it’s a good treat.
These chews contain relaxing chamomile and L-tryptophan, which can help your kitty relax and sleep if needed. You should never give your cat more than the suggested dose because too much can be dangerous.
There are 100 chews in all, thus one container will last a long time. This pill isn’t intended to be taken as a daily anxiety medication, so if you’re searching for a continual calming agent, you might want to consider elsewhere.
However, if you need a quick fix for a vet appointment or the introduction of a new pet, these small chews can go a long way.
Furthermore, they are manufactured in the United States using high-quality ingredients. These chews are not intended for pregnant or nursing cats, so consult your veterinarian for alternatives.
Pros
- Chamomile was added.
- Excellent flavor
- Encourages restful sleep
Cons
- Not suitable for pregnant or nursing cats.
- Not intended for long-term use.
Vet Classics Stress Relief, Anxiety Relief
Vet Classics Stress Away Calming, Anxiety Aid may help your anxious feline relax in stressful times. These chews are designed for on-the-go use, making them ideal for road trips or minor problems.
These chews are especially beneficial to cats with sensitive stomachs. This mixture contains ginger to settle things down and chamomile to alleviate any potential irritation.
Melatonin, a natural substance produced by the brain for sleep, is also present in this supplement. There are 65 chews in each container, so you may spread them out as needed.
However, after you open them, you may notice that they dry out a little. Because these chews are suitable for all life phases, they are also suitable for pregnant, nursing, and older cats.
These chews aren’t for general nervousness, and they’re unlikely to help a cat with an anxiety problem. Instead, they are intended to provide brief relief.
Pros
- As-needed
- Flavored naturally
- Beneficial for sensitive stomachs
Cons
- It is possible that it will dry out over time.
- Not intended for daily use.
Buyer's Guide: Choosing the Best Cat Calming Supplements
Every cat has a unique personality and will react to things in their own unique way. If anxiety is an issue, it might manifest as a persistent disease or as a reaction to a specific incident.
Whatever the reason, you’ll want to give your cat a way to regulate or decrease the affects as much as possible.
We’ll go over some of the most common causes of stress and anxiety in cats so you can figure out where your cat stands on the scale and what steps to take next.
Cats with Situational Anxiety
Some cats may be fine on a normal day until something upsets the balance of things in the house. The good news is that environmental variables are sometimes the simplest to treat because you can make your cat more comfortable.
Many times, the source of anxiety or stress can be identified. The majority of the time, it is caused by visible changes that you are well aware of.
- Loud Sounds
Your cat may be especially sensitive to loud noises, which is very normal. When your cat hears a thunderstorm, fireworks, alarms, or other annoying noises, they may run under the bed.
- Changes in a New Home
Cats are habitual creatures. They may become bent if you move to a new home or bring home a new appliance or piece of furniture.
These changes are just temporary, and your cat will adapt, but they may require some assistance while they adjust.
- Veterinary Consultations
Let’s face it: vet visits are understandably frightening for many pets. It’s filled with strange animals, odors, and people.
Furthermore, your cat may associate the vet with negative experiences involving surgery, vaccinations, and other unpleasant recollections. It’s reasonable for them to feel concerned about the situation.
- Trips for Grooming
Not all cats enjoy having strangers handle them. Cats can be picky about who gets to pet them, let alone comb, trim, and bathe them.
Like the vet’s office, witnessing all the new stimuli might be taxing on them because everything is foreign to them.
- Travel
Many cats dislike long automobile rides. Not only is there strange movement going on, but they might not like being crated or caged while it’s going on.
Though understandable, feeding your cat a supplement during car rides can assist to alleviate stress.
- Additions to the Family
If you bring home a new baby or add new members to your household, your cat may suffer as a result.
They won’t understand much at first—all they know is that their safe place is being invaded by new individuals, which can be an emotionally draining experience for them.
- New Animals
It’s not uncommon for your cat to be terrified of a new pet in the house.
Whether it’s a bouncy new puppy, an invasive new kitten, or another strange species, your cat may be upset that you brought them home. Supplements might be quite helpful in assisting your pet’s adjustment.
Cats with Chronic Anxiety
Anxiety and stress aren’t always caused by the environment. There is a possibility that your cat has a neurological imbalance that predisposes them to anxious behavior.
Chronic anxiety may be to fault if your cat appears to be on edge all of the time or lashes out aggressively. This form of anxiety may also be the result of prior abuse or neglect.
If you have a cat who has had a difficult background, it is natural for some leftover emotion to accompany them. To calm them down, you may need to place them on a long-term behavioral transition plan with the assistance of your veterinarian.
Many over-the-counter supplements can help to calm your cat down so they aren’t overly excited all of the time.
Every animal, no matter what you have to put in place to accommodate them, should be able to rest and feel safe in their environment.
Anxiety Symptoms
Cats can exhibit a wide range of anxiety-related behaviors. Some may be obvious, while others may fly under the radar for a while.
You may believe that your cat’s behavior is caused solely by idiosyncrasies or features, without comprehending the underlying causes.
Anxiety cues include:
- Using the restroom outside of the litter box on purpose
- Mood swings and volatile reactions
- Owners are obsessively followed
- A lot of meowing
- Acting nervous or apprehensive
- Keeping a safe distance from any sudden movements, noises, or individuals
- Cleaning and licking compulsively, which may or may not result in hair loss
- Listlessness and lethargy
- Destructive behaviors such as clawing or tearing belongings
- Diarrhea or vomiting
While these habits are undeniably difficult for owners, it is up to you to devise a strategy to make life easier for your cat. If they exhibit any of these undesirable habits, the possibility of an underlying problem is almost certain.
Consult with your veterinarian to determine the best plan for your cat. If you manage this situation proactively, you may alleviate symptoms and minimize anxiety—and everyone in the house will be much happier as a result.
Finding Beneficial Supplements
Once you’ve decided on a strategy, you’ll want to find the best supplements for your cat’s needs. There are a lot of possibilities on the market, so you should have no trouble finding one.
If you’re having difficulties deciding which one is best for your cat, refer back to our reviews.
Long-Term Therapy
Some medications are intended for long-term usage, which means they do not always function right away.
They must enter their system and gradually kick in over the course of several weeks before they are fully effective. These therapies are most effective for cats who are constantly anxious.
Short-Term Therapy
Other supplements are intended to work immediately. You’ll notice a reduction in nervous behavior about a half-hour after administering the treatment.
These strategies work well with cats who get agitated by outside influences rather than an overarching sense of worry.
Various Administration Forms
Cats have different likes and interests. Some cats will not be deterred by medication, while others will battle you tooth and nail. That is why cat owners have so many options on the market.
The following are the most prevalent sorts of formulas:
- Treats that are chewable
- Additives for powder
- Droplets of liquid
- Capsules
Others may be more effective than others, and some may be easier to administer to your cat. It is entirely dependent on the particular feline.
Supplement Active Ingredients
You can also base your decision on natural versus synthetic ingredients. It will ultimately be determined by your cat’s sensitivities and the intensity of the worried behavior.
Ingredients that work
- Herbs—plants such as chamomile, clematis, and cherry plum have been demonstrated to reduce anxiety.
- Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that promotes restful sleep and relaxation.
- Colostrum is a calming chemical contained in mother’s milk.
- L-theanine is a sedative and calming substance.
- Alpha-casozepine—a soothing substance found naturally in cow’s milk.
Conclusion
Each cat will react differently to any supplement, and success cannot be guaranteed, but we believe they will enjoy the Rescue Remedy Stress Relief Pet Supplement.
It’s completely natural, simple to use, and not at all hazardous. Your cat won’t even notice you’re giving it to them, therefore it’s suitable for even the most picky cats.
If you want to save money while still getting results, you can look into Vet Classics Stress Away Calming Anxiety Aid. It’s the most effective vitamin we could find for the money.
If you have any concerns regarding the safety of a product, always contact with your veterinarian so that you can together select the best course of action to calm your agitated kitty.
If BestForPets‘ (bestforpets.org) guide to the best cat calming supplements for anxiety & stress has helped you and your cat’s digestive issues, then share it on Facebook and Twitter.
Dr. Deborah Fletcher
Deborah R. Fletcher, DVM, is a skilled veterinarian with more than 15 years of experience dealing with companion and exotic animals. She has experience caring for a variety of animals, including household cats and dogs, reptiles, birds of prey, and even primates. Dr. Fletcher is a valuable part of the BestForPets team, where she contributes to their aim of providing pets and their owners with the finest possible treatment and services.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Deborah Fletcher
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