4 Good Calming Treats for Cats (Reviews)

Do calming treats actually work for cats? Well, maybe. I’ve tried to find the perfect ones while browsing the options available for sale these days, and I have to say, there isn’t such a thing as the best cat calming treats out there. You’ll find that most products have reviews from both happy and unhappy pet parents, so it’s a matter of hit or miss. In any case, I’ve found that one of the first products that seem to work is the VetriScience Composure Pro Bite Size Chews for Dogs and Cats. This formula is designed for pets that are in need of cognitive, behavioral, and brain function support. It also promotes sleep efficiency, which means that they might work if you’re planning a move with your feline buddy. If this product is no longer available, check out the Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Supplement Chew Treats for Cats, instead. 

Best Calming Treats for Cats (Reviews)

To be completely honest with you, I was amazed at the low number of effective calming cat treats for cats that I came across. As you might expect, not all cats react the same to a product. 

My own, for example, doesn’t manifest the slightest interest in catnip. Each of our feline friends is different, but based on what I have found, these are some of the calming snacks for cats that actually work. 

1. VetriScience Composure Pro Bite Size Chews for Dogs and Cats

I was a little wary of this product since it’s recommended for both dogs and cats. As you can expect, the things that work for dogs might not do the same for cats. But from what I have noticed, this option has received quite a bit of critical acclaim from cat parents, as well. 

The Composure Pro is specifically made to be given to pets that exhibit hyperactivity, anxiety, or nervousness, which means that they might work as calming treats for cat travel, for instance. 

What’s worth noting about this one is that the dosage makes it a little tricky for you to administer it conveniently to a cat. For example, one chew is recommended for an animal weighing between 51 and 100 pounds, which means that you’d have to give your cat a little less than a quarter of a chew. 

Some of those that have given this a try say that even though their cats are particularly picky, they actually seemed to like the taste of these treats. The chews have a nice texture and smell, and it seems to be a helpful addition to the cat’s diet. 

However, as is the case with lots of other products in the same category, these aren’t made to treat the primary issue. Therefore, you should only give them to your cat if she is constantly anxious, but you really ought to look for the source of anxiety and fix the problem. 

2. Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Supplement Chew Treats for Cats

I have come to really like this brand. The company makes a variety of products, whether they are made to help your cat say goodbye to fleas or give her some help with regard to digestion (hairballs). But the most important thing is that they mostly use natural ingredients. 

I haven’t had the time to go through every single product that they manufacture, but I will tell you that this one doesn’t contain any nasty ingredients. In this sense, you will be glad to know that the treats have no wheat, corn or any artificial ingredients, which effectively makes them safe for your feline companion.

The blend includes Thiamine, C3 (a colostrum calming complex) and L-theanine. All of these three are apparently capable of promoting a relax and calm state even in particularly anxious cats. 

This product is highly recommended for boarding your cats when you go on vacation, for when the weather is really bad (thunderstorms), or for when you both have to go to the vet. In case the situation is really stressful, you can double the dose without having to worry about affecting your cat’s health. Pretty neat, right?

While most of those that have given them a shot say that they work, there’s always the matter of the cat’s personal preference that needs to be taken into account. Some cats like the taste while others refuse eating it, like with any other treats. 

3. NutriVet Feline Paw Gel Formulated with Herbs and Essential Oils

While it might not exactly be a treat in the strict sense of the word, this gel is another that you should bear in mind, especially if you know that your cat is going to go through a stressful event such as you moving houses or just several visits to the vet. 

The coolest thing about this gel is that it is made of all-natural ingredients, meaning that it virtually poses no health risk to your cat. It’s also worth noting that, unlike other products in the same category, it’s manufactured in the United States. 

The gel doesn’t contain any nasty ingredients such as soy, corn, or wheat, or petroleum jelly. This particular option is free of artificial coors, flavors, or preservatives, so you can rest assured that it is completely safe to give to your cat. For pets who like receiving food right from their owners, this can be a really neat way of rewarding your cats while keeping them cozy in your lap.

As for the reviews garnered by the product, you can tell that there are cats that love it and cats that don’t. For your enjoyment, however, we strongly suggest that you take the time to check out some consumer reports as they are particularly entertaining. One cat parent claims he was almost harassed by his cat since she loved snacking on the gel so much. 

4. Meowijuana Crunchie Munchie – Chicken Treats

Even though the name of the brand might be a little weird and might give you some incorrect ideas, the truth is that these cat snacks aren’t made with any CBD ingredient. In fact, they contain valerian root and have a center filled with catnip and that’s why they are pretty good at making your feline buddy relaxed and feeling at ease.

Every treat has less than 2 calories, which is definitely something to consider if you’re trying to keep your cat on a diet. My own cat is pretty chubby and I know how extremely challenging it can be to keep an eye on how much she eats or say no to her, actually.

If your budget has anything to say in your decision-making process, you might want to know that these treats aren’t really expensive, either. The chicken flavored outer shell boasted by the snacks will leave your cat really impressed, at least judging by the reviews that this product has acquired over time.

From what we’ve noticed, these treats are particularly popular with senior cats. We found one review from an individual claiming that their 19-year old cat went absolutely crazy over the Crunchie Munchie treats. They might be worth a try if you’re in the market for the best calming treats for cats and haven’t had a lot of luck up until now. 

Other Types of Good Cat Calming Products

As challenging as it has been for me to find several cat calming treats, I managed to come up with a list of a few decent ones. However, if you’d rather try to calm your cat some other way, check out the products showcased below. 

1. Relaxivet Dogs & Cats Calming Diffuser + Refill

I was rather surprised to see how popular this diffuser is. It has gotten reviews from cat parents who say that their pets now behave well and that they can always tell when the product is running low as they start hissing at each other. 

While most of the folks who have reviewed this product seem to have nothing but good things to say about it, there have been some that noted that it is made of essential oils. That’s why it smells a little strong, and while it might be great for the cats themselves, it might be harder to bear by the owners.

In any case, the anti-anxiety diffuser is capable of helping pets overcome their fears, no matter the factor that they might be caused by. 

2. Pet Pawsitive Hemp Oil for Dogs and Cats

Hemp has a variety of beneficial properties both for humans and for pets. It can promote a glossy and shiny coat due to its omega fatty acid content and it can even make it possible for senior dogs and cats to move easier and better. It effectively improves the symptoms of chronic arthritis and other old-age related diseases.

But what some people might not know is that hemp oil can also be utilized as a natural soother for cats and dogs, especially those that get stressed out because of vet visits, thunderstorms, or being boarded. The clinical signs of separation anxiety can be alleviated with hemp oil.

But how effective is this particular product? Well, it seems that it does work for most pets. Whether you have an anxious cat or an anxious dog, or even more seriously, one who suffers from epilepsy, this hemp oil can definitely make them calmer and more relaxed. 

3. Feliway Plug-In Diffuser Refill

Feliway has gotten a bad rap for not being effective, but what some cat parents might not be aware of is that the brand was taken over by another bigger company and that the formula was changed after that. This particular product is the original one, so it actually works, for a change.

The diffuser seems to be capable of doing exactly what it is supposed to. We found reviews from people who have used it in the car while transporting their cats to an entirely different town. They were able to tell when the product had become unplugged by realizing that one of the cats had become particularly agitated.

Another aspect that needs to be taken into account is that this one works quickly. Plus, it can be tolerated by people who are sensitive to scents or those who have asthma. 

4. Zen Kitty Aromatic Feline Calming Blend of Pure Hydrosols and Flower Essences

This product is 100% natural, which means that it is perfectly safe to use on cats. It contains essential oils and the formula was specifically created for our feline buddies using just organic hydrosols and flower essences in a water base and alcohol. 

Besides, this is one of the few options out there that were veterinarian approved, so you can at least rest assured that it’s not going to do any damage on your cat’s health whatsoever. The formula doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals, which means that the worst thing that could happen is your cat nor reacting to it in any way.

Having been formulated by a holistic animal practitioner, Zen Kitty is a rather new and upcoming product in this line. Nevertheless, it has received mostly favorable reviews but as per usual, there are cats that might not respond to the spray. It also smells nice, which is a bonus. 

Cat Calming Treats Guide

It can be difficult to get the right calming cat treats if you have no idea what to look for in them. The ingredients matter, without a doubt, but they should also appeal to your feline friend in another way so that your cat is actually interested in trying them. 

Let’s look at some of the most important aspects you should consider when shopping for cat stress relief products. 

Ingredients

This is by far the most important factor to check out when you’re trying to make the difference between one product and the next. Calming cat treats usually have the same ingredients, but some have more sedative effects compared to others. Melatonin and tryptophan are two common ingredients in products that are used for cat travel.

No matter if you opt for a cat pheromone spray or some treats, it would be great if the ingredients were all natural. This will ensure that your cat’s health is not going to be damaged in any possible way. And that’s what matters most, right?

Flavor

Cats are extremely specific about their personal tastes. My own doesn’t like fish or any type of milk products, but that’s not a golden rule since all cats are different. One flavor that’s become a little popular in cat calming treats is chicken, because it’s mostly harmless and most cats seem to like it. 

Different flavored options are also available, but you do have to do a bit of an effort to find them. 

Form

As you might have noticed, most of the calming treats for cats that we have recommended are actual snacks. This means that they can be crunchy or soft, and most cats seem to like the crunchy consistency better. Soft chews are also popular. 

You should look at the size, too, since those made for dogs can be considerably larger compared to those made specifically for cats.

You do have the option of splitting the treats if they’re too big, but that’s an effort you could do without. There’s also the gel form, which you can consider if your cat doesn’t have any teeth anymore (which could be the case with a senior cat, for instance) or if you want to switch things up once in a while. 

Reviews

I would like to tell you that cat calming treats reviews should give you a clue as to whether you’re about to purchase the right product for your feline companion or not. Unfortunately, cats are different, so while one might really like a calming treat, another might manifest no interest in it whatsoever. 

In any case, it would be a good idea to check out some reviews, because you’ll at least find out whether the product works in most cases. After all, you’re trying to get cat calming treats in an attempt to avoid cat anxiety meds that you’d get from the vet, so definitely read some reports from other pet parents if you can. 

Frequency of use

How often should you give your cat the treats so that they work? Consult the info provided by the manufacturing company, but make sure you read some reviews, too. Most treats are appropriate for daily use, but some can contain a variety of ingredients that might produce more serious sedative effects.

Needless to say, it’s not healthy to ‘drug’ your cat day in and day out and it effectively prevents her from enjoying a healthy and happy life. But if the ingredients are natural and safe and your cat is anxious, you could use the product every day. In any case, you should check the label to find out how often you’re supposed to give your cat the treats. 

Other options

It’s a good thing that you’re almost never have to deal with a cat calming treats overdose, especially if you choose an all-natural option. But if you want to take things to another level and absolutely make sure that your cat doesn’t suffer from anxiety, you could try other things. 

For example, nowadays there are cat calming collars, cat calming pheromone diffusers, and thundershirts for cats. It would be great if you were able to take your feline buddy to the vet before opting for any of calming products for cats currently available for sale. 

Do calming treats for cats work?

I have come across lots of articles recommending products and effectively lying to pet parents and telling them that they work. The most honest answer to this question is – you never know until you try them. As I have mentioned in this article, cats are finicky and different, and since cat calming treats aren’t expensive, just try as many as you can until you find the right one for your friend. There’s no other solution, really. 

Are calming treats safe for cats?

If the ingredients look good and if the formula contains just natural ingredients, it is indeed safe for our feline companions. Just to be on the safe side of things, look through some consumer reports to see whether no side effects have been reported by other pet parents. 

I hope I haven’t made things too complicated for you with this article, but I really tried to convey the right information. Get informed as best as possible before you give your cat anything.