Sometimes our felines can be nervous Nellies, while others can be downright aggressive. Regardless of why you need calming supplements for your cats, you might not be too keen on the idea of pills. It can be tricky with cats because they are so hesitant to take them.
Rather than wrangling your cat to shove a pill down their throat every time they are on the fritz, you could persuade them with a delicious treat. But if you start to look for calming supplements on the market, things can get a little bit fuzzy. For your convenience, we have rounded up six of the best cat calming supplements we could find.
We absolutely loved the Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming chews—they were our favorite overall. These chews are gentle enough for your cats to snack without an issue. There are 30 included, which contain no wheat, corn, or artificial ingredients.
These chews contain a unique proprietary blend including thiamine, colostrum calming complex, and L-theanine. These veterinary formulated chews are perfectly safe—you can dose up to three times for incredibly high-stress situations.
These chews are manufactured in the United States with both domestic and imported ingredients. If you have a pregnant or nursing cat, these chews are not recommended.
These Paws & Pals Dog Calming Treats can be used for dogs or cats, making it easy if you also have an anxious pooch. There are 180 soft chews and all, so one jar will last quite a while. Considering the amount, we think these are the best calming cat treats for the money. Though these are soft, they do dry out quickly when left out.
This recipe uses a powerful blend of chamomile, thiamine, passionflower, ginger, L-tryptophan, and melatonin. This is a potent combination that reduces extreme stress situations. There are clear instructions on the back of the label letting you know how many chews to give your cat based on its weight.
These particular chews take roughly 30 minutes to take effect. So, in the event of a stressful situation, always make sure to let it settle in their stomach. These chews contain all-natural ingredients that are trusted and made in the USA.
Solliquin Behavioral Health Supplements are a little on the pricey side, but the effects are well worth it. We really loved this product as it truly helps to balance behavior with gentle relaxation instead of changing your cats’ behavior entirely.
It’s a very gradual reduction of energy, so you can rest easy knowing that your cat is calm, but not overly so. This product does the job efficiently and comes with 75 soft chews in one bag.
This is designed to be a short-term solution for long-term results. It is recommended to use this product to reduce your cat stress and utilize behavior modification so you won’t have to give this to them daily. However, it is a really great product for occasional use and high-stress situations.
When we tried the Licks Pill-Free Cat Calming Liquid, it was an excellent remedy for anxiety. This agent can be used for dogs or cats as long as you follow the dosage instruction on the side. Because it is liquid, it acts quickly, soaking into the system fast.
The general time of effectiveness is usually between 30 minutes to an hour. It naturally relaxes your cat without making them super drowsy, which is what we were looking for. We found it to be incredibly effective over chewables because of its fast-acting power.
This product uses only 100% human-grade ingredients, so you know that it is safe for your pets. Even though this is for anxiety, it also helps with aggression. So if you’re worried about your little one exhibiting aggression—possibly at the veterinarian, groomer, or kennel—this is a perfect product to curb some of that negative energy.
Pros
Fast-acting
Effective
Non-drowsy
Cons
Only 30 packets
5. VetriScience Laboratories Composure, Calming Formula for Cats
VetriScience Laboratories Composure is a very natural product that works well. It uses a combination of ingredients to ease nervousness but not alter your cat’s perception. This calming agent generally works 20 to 30 minutes after consumption.
It is safe enough to be given and up to triple doses without any negative impact. This product works gently to calm the mind and take the edge off of extreme stress.
These treats must be tasty because our cats gobbled them up. They have a chicken liver flavor with a decently strong scent to attract your feline friends. All in all, this product is safe and moderately effective, doing its job without being too powerful.
We tried the vet Classics stress away calming aid, which is dog and cat safe. Using a blend of melatonin, ginger, and chamomile, these chews reduce stress with natural ingredients. You’ll get 65 soft chews per bottle.
Veterinarians recommend this product as a safe way to eliminate anxiety without using any harmful additives. It is formulated to ease tension, using a blend of useful ingredients that work together to lessen symptoms.
This product is gentle, relaxing your pet without overwhelming them. We noticed the cats did not seem completely drowsy, but there was a noticeable calm. This product is especially effective for senior cats.
Pros
Great for seniors
Gentle effects
Cons
Not as effective as some
Cannot double dose
Buyer’s Guide: Selecting The Best Cat Calming Treat
If you have an anxious kitty, easing their nerves is probably number one on your priority list. But when you’re shopping for supplements and products, what effective ingredients are you looking for? How do you know the product is going to do as it says? Well, let us tell you.
Calming Cat Treats: What Are They For?
Common cat treats can be used in all kinds of situations. Some cats are naturally more nervous than others, requiring something that isn’t prescription medication to take the edge off. Other cats only get nervous in certain settings.
Some circumstances your cat might need a little help with anxiety include:
L-theanine—This substance contains a naturally forming amino acid in the body. These amino acids have been shown scientifically to reduce anxiety without causing drowsiness.
Thiamine– This B1 vitamin has been shown to decrease anxiety levels in the body, creating a stress-free experience for your feline pals
Chamomile— Studies have proven that chamomile has reduced the effects of stress and relaxes the entire body. There’s a reason human beings have trusted chamomile tea for Not only does it help calm our systems. It also helps effectively reduce the effects.
L-tryptophan—This is an amino acid that Is directly linked to the development of serotonin in the brain, which regulates mood and sleep.
Melatonin—Melatonin is a natural chemical the pineal gland in the brain produces to sleep.
Soft Chews vs. Licks
The most common form of cat treat that calms is the soft chews. Most cats can enjoy these and will be attracted to the scent and flavor.
These products usually take 30 to 60 minutes to take effect, and the outcome might not be extremely drastic.
However, licks tend to absorb faster, creating quicker results. And they might work best for kittens or seniors with bad teeth.
Other Options
Cat treats are the only thing you can purchase for your kitty to help calm your nerves. They also make tinctures and other supplements with aid and relaxation.
You can buy things and liquid or capsule form, whatever works best for your feline friend. And if the anxiety is bad enough, your veterinarian might prescribe a medication to be taken daily or as needed.
Conclusion
We are confident that there is a supplement on this list that your cat will work best with. Personally, we liked the Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Chews because they are safe, effective, and highly praised.
If you’re looking to save, you might enjoy the Paws & Pals Dog Calming Treats because they are affordable, powerful, and non-drowsy.
These products may work best for different cats, so it might be trial and error before you find the perfect calming cat treat.
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
