It’s no secret that cats get stressed easily.

Whether it’s a recent change in the home, stray cats hanging around, or something else, many things can send a cat’s nervous system into overdrive.

And let me tell you, a stressed cat equals a stressed pet parent.

When a cat is stressed or anxious, they can develop undesirable behaviors, such as howling, pacing, spraying, and inappropriate elimination. And fixing these problems is NOT easy.

Having one cat with separation anxiety and another prone to high territorial stress, I’ve spent hours researching cat stress.

I’ve also tried and tested almost every cat calming aid I could find.

In this article, I’m sharing the cat calming products I’ve found most effective for my anxious cats.

The 5 Best Cat Calming Products

While results differ between cats, here are the cat calming aids I’ve had success with.

1. Feliway (Cat Pheromone Diffusers & Sprays)

Feliway is one of the most popular calming products for cats. It works by emitting the natural pheromones a mother cat releases to calm her kittens.

Feliway comes in both a spray and a diffuser.

The Feliway spray is excellent for travel as you can spray it on the blanket inside their carrier to help them stay calm while on the road.

The Feliway diffuser can help keep anxious cats calm at home. However, it is only effective if used in a small room with closed doors and windows.

One great use for the Feliway diffuser is when moving house. Once you set up your cat’s basecamp (a small room) in the new home, plug in Feliway to promote a sense of calm while they adjust to their new environment.

However, Feliway is hit or miss. It works great for some cats but has no effect on others. But in my opinion, it’s well worth giving it a try!

2. Pet Hemp Oil

I’ve tried many different cat calming supplements but none of them have been as effective as CBD/hemp oil for pets.

Pets, like humans, have an endocannabinoid system (ECS) that helps regulate mood, stress, and overall homeostasis. Cannabinoids like CBD in hemp oil interact with ECS receptors, promoting a calming effect by balancing the nervous system.

Hemp oil may also help regulate cortisol levels (the stress hormone), reducing physical symptoms of stress such as restlessness or excessive vocalization.

Furthermore, CBD is thought to influence serotonin receptors in the brain. By promoting serotonin activity, hemp oil can foster feelings of relaxation in our furry friends.

4. Cat Calming Collars

Calming collars are another popular calming aid for cats.

Some release pheromones, while others contain naturally calming plants such as lavender.

My main concern is that most cat calming collars are not the ‘breakaway style.’ I’ve seen many cats get their collars caught on things when playing or get their jaws stuck in a collar, so non-breakaway collars are dangerous.

They can also have a strong smell, which makes me question how cats feel wearing something with such an intense scent.

Even so, I find calming collars useful during travel. But rather than put the collar around their neck, I prefer to attach it to the inside of their carrier.

5. Calming Spot-On For Cats

When I was in the UK, I came across these Beaphar Calming Spot-On for Cats.

Like the Beaphar calming collar, the Pipettes contain valerian extract, a plant known for its calming effect on people and animals.

So, if you don’t like non-breakaway collars like me, the spot-on version is a good alternative.

During my latest house move, I used one of these on one of my cats, Georgie.

It’s difficult to know how much this product helped, but Georgie quickly adjusted to the new house and didn’t seem stressed at all!

6. Anti-Anxiety Prescription Medications

Natural cat calming products are great for many cats. But if you have a feline that is prone to separation anxiety or displays severe signs of stress like spraying, it might not be enough.

Honestly, getting anti-anxiety prescription medication for my two highly anxious cats during my recent house move was a game changer!

Scooby is super sensitive to changes in his routine and environment, so I was worried he would pee all over the furniture in the new house!

Moreover, due to territorial insecurity, Cappuccino often paces, howls, and sprays when kept indoors.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) is an antidepressant commonly used to treat cat stress and anxiety in the USA and many other countries.

However, note that it is not an approved drug in Thailand, so it isn’t easy to get it here.

I had very positive experiences using fluoxetine on my two cats.

They adjusted to the new house very well. There was no spraying or inappropriate peeing, and neither cat displayed any negative side effects.

So, if you have a cat that sprays or pees around the house due to stress and you’ve tried all the natural options to no avail, consider speaking to your vet about prescription medications.

Common Causes Of Cat Stress And Anxiety

Now, let’s talk about how and why cats get stressed.

Sometimes, cat stress occurs suddenly and rapidly due to a big change in their lives. Other times, it creeps up slowly, making it hard to pinpoint the root cause.

With that in mind, here are the most common culprits behind your fur baby’s stress:

1. Moving House

They say that moving house is one of the most stressful things in a person’s life.

So, imagine what it’s like for a species known for developing a strong attachment to its territory.

Yep, moving house stresses out most cats to some degree. Thankfully, the cat-calming products mentioned above can make this process easier for them.

2. Travel

Travel is another massive stressor for cats. It’s a significant, sudden change to their very predictable routine, and as you may know, cats love routine.

Airplane travel is at the top of the ‘most stressful travel experiences for cats’ list. So if you’re moving countries with your cat, cat calming products are an absolute must!

Some cats also get very stressed during short car rides, especially if the destination is a vet clinic! So, these kitties may also need a little help getting through the scary experience.

3. Territorial Stress

Many cats get stressed when they hear outdoor cats fighting or see cats in their garden.

In fact, seeing unfamiliar felines in or close to their territory can make your kitty extremely territorially insecure.

As soon as they see an unfamiliar cat, your cat’s nervous system goes into the ‘fight or flight’ mood. That’s why they either run and hide or try to get outside and fight them.

To your cat, this is a colossal threat. Your kitty worries that the unfamiliar cat will invade its territory, stealing its home and owner.

To help you understand better, seeing a cat get into their territory is akin to a human seeing someone break into their house!

4. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is common among dogs, but many cats can also experience it.

It is particularly common in cats who were orphaned at a young age and, as a result, raised by humans.

It is also more common among solo pets and cats who are used to their humans being home all the time (such as working from home).

When I went away earlier this year, I discovered my cat, Scooby, has territorial anxiety.

I raised Scooby as an orphan kitten from one week old, and because of this, he has an unhealthy attachment to me.

Despite having a pet sitter visit him twice a day, Scooby couldn’t cope with me not being around, and he ended up peeing all over the sofa, bed, and many other places.

Now, whenever I go away, even for just a weekend, I have to use cat calming products on Scooby!

5. A New Household Member

Another huge stressor for felines is the introduction of a new pet, a new baby, or even a new adult human.

Because cats thrive on routine and familiarity, the presence of a new person or animal can really upset them.

Again, they feel threatened that they will lose their territory and, worse, you, their owner.

So, whether you’re planning to adopt a new pet, are pregnant, or have a new partner, you might want to use cat calming products to help your kitty adjust to the new situation.

6. Change In Routine Or Environment

Finally, some cats can get stressed over changes we would consider small. This could be:

• A new litter box or moving the litter box to a new location
• New furniture or rearranging existing furniture
• Redecorating or doing renovations
• A change to your work schedule (and thus, a change in the times you are home)
• A change to their mealtimes
• Switching them to a different food or litter that they are used to

Final Thoughts On Cat Calming Products

As I previously mentioned, the results of these cat calming products differ from cat to cat. So, it is often a case of trying them one at a time to see which one works best for your cat.

Moreover, many cat calming products don’t start working immediately, so be patient.

Finally, although there are some prescription medications for cat stress, these should always be the last resort. I strongly suggest trying all the natural options first before considering any medication that carries side effects.

Do you use any cat-calming products on your kitty that I didn’t mention? Let me know in the comments!