Just like people, cats can sometimes feel stressed out. Your cat might feel stressed out because they’re bored, because there’s too much noise, or because their environment changes suddenly (like when you move to a new house, for example).
While it’s important to address whatever is causing your cat’s stress (your vet should be able to help you figure this out), sometimes, that’s not enough. In these cases, giving your cat calming treats can be a great way to help them get some relief from their anxiety.
This helpful article will review the best calming treats for cats. We’ll also be talking about the ingredients in calming treats for cats, the benefits of giving your cat calming treats, and more — so stick around!
Understanding Cat Anxiety
Stress or anxiety in cats can lead to a few different issues, like excessive grooming, aggression (e.g. scratching and hissing), or destructive behaviors. Cat anxiety can be triggered by several different factors, such as loud noises (like thunderstorms and fireworks), and major changes in their environment (like a new pet being introduced).
Addressing the root cause of your cat’s stress is of utmost importance, so if your cat is showing signs of stress and distress for a long period, you should take them to a knowledgeable vet. Your vet might recommend giving your cat calming treats as a way to manage their anxiety symptoms.
Calming treats for cats are exactly what they sound like. They’re tempting treats designed to help your cat relax during stressful situations. Most calming treats are made with ingredients that work to soothe your cat’s nervous system, which makes them less reactive to stress. We’ll be reviewing the best calming treats for cats shortly, so don’t go anywhere.
What Are the Best Calming Treats for Cats?
Not all calming treats are created equal, which can make it quite difficult for pet parents to know whether they’re choosing the right ones. This is why we reviewed the best calming treats for cats that Under the Weather has to offer. Hopefully, this guide will help you make the right decision when it comes to picking out calming treats for your cat. Let’s take a closer look below:
Calming Soft Chews for cats
These calming soft chews by Under the Weather are a fantastic option for anxious kitties. These calming treats are specially formulated to help cats manage anxiety and stress. Whether your cat is dealing with anxiety from traveling, the stress of a vet visit, or changes in their living situation, these chews can be a major lifesaver.
What makes these soft chews for cats effective is their blend of high-quality, natural ingredients. These chews are designed to promote relaxation and reduce stress-related behaviors (like over-grooming and aggression) in cats.
To give you an example, these chews contain L-theanine, an amino acid that has been shown to have relaxing effects on both humans and animals. They also contain L-tryptophan, another amino acid that helps regulate mood by maintaining serotonin levels in the brain.
Each pack of these chews comes with about 60 star-shaped treats. They’re made with natural ingredients, including salmon flavor, which most cats absolutely love. These chews are formulated by veterinarians and are made in the USA, so you can rest assured that they’re both safe and effective.
The active ingredients in these chews include:
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): 65 mg per 2 chews
- L-Tryptophan: 10 mg per 2 chews
- L-Theanine: 8.5 mg per 2 chews
You might be wondering how many chews you should give to your furry friend per day. The dosage will, of course, depend on the weight of your cat. For cats up to 15 pounds, the recommended dose is two chews daily, while cats over 15 pounds might need four chews daily.
Calming Powder for cats
Another fantastic option for managing your cat’s stress is Under the Weather’s Calming Powder for Cats. This supplement is easy to mix into your cat’s food and it contains a blend of ingredients that are designed to keep your cat calm.
The powder includes ginger, which helps ease an upset stomach — a common issue when cats are nervous. Chamomile and L-theanine are also included to encourage sleep and relaxation, while L-tryptophan helps balance your cat’s mood.
This calming powder is particularly useful in stressful situations — like thunderstorms, car rides, or vet visits. It’s also a veterinarian-formulated product and is free from corn, artificial flavors, and dyes.
The chicken liver flavor is a bonus, as it makes the powder more palatable for most cats. Some cats are pickier than others, of course. If your cat refuses to eat the calming powder, you might have more luck with the calming soft chews.
The active ingredients in the calming powder include:
- Thiamine (Vitamin B1): 130 mg per 2 scoops
- Ginger: 120 mg per 2 scoops
- Chamomile: 120 mg per 2 scoops
- L-Tryptophan: 20 mg per 2 scoops
- L-Theanine: 17 mg per 2 scoops
The usual dosage for this calming powder is two scoops per day. You can easily mix it into their wet food, or even get your cat to take it with a liquid Churu treat.
Ingredients in Calming Treats for Cats
When picking out calming treats for your cat, you should pay close attention to the ingredients, since different products can have varying effects on your cat. Here are some of the most common ingredients found in cat-calming treats and how they help reduce stress:
L-Theanine
This amino acid is found naturally in tea leaves. It helps your cat relax without causing any drowsiness, and for this reason, it’s become a very popular ingredient in calming treats.
L-Tryptophan
Another amino acid, L-tryptophan, is commonly found in foods like turkey, red meat, and dairy products. It helps regulate mood by improving serotonin levels in the brain, which can reduce aggressive behavior in cats.
Thiamine (Vitamin B1)
Unlike the other ingredients, thiamine works by strengthening your cat’s immune system. This helps them handle stress better rather than directly calming them down.
Chamomile
Chamomile contains a high amount of tryptophan, which helps with cat stress and anxiety. It also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits, which means it’s a well-rounded ingredient in calming treats.
Valerian root
Often considered to be a natural alternative to catnip, valerian root has similar effects. It can help reduce stress in cats by encouraging playful behavior, which can be an effective way to redirect your cat’s energy during stressful situations.
Benefits of Calming Treats for Cats
There are plenty of benefits to giving your cat calming treats. Not only will calming treats help your cat feel less anxious, but they will improve their quality of life in general. Let’s take a closer look at the main benefits below:
Reduced anxiety levels
One of the main reasons pet parents decide to use calming treats is to help reduce their pet’s anxiety. Whether it’s triggered by loud noises or changes in routine, anxiety can cause your cat to exhibit unwanted behaviors — such as excessive grooming, hiding under the bed, or even aggression. Ingredients like L-tryptophan and chamomile have been shown to have calming effects on cats’ nervous systems.
Improved behavior
When your cat is less anxious, their behavior tends to improve. Calming treats can help reduce destructive behaviors in cats. For example, if your cat becomes aggressive or starts scratching furniture when they are stressed out, calming treats can help keep these types of behaviors in check.
Decreased stress levels
High stress levels can negatively affect your cat’s health. This can lead to issues like digestive problems and a weakened immune system. Calming treats for cats help decrease stress by inducing relaxation and reducing the fight-or-flight response, which is the body’s natural reaction to stress. This, in turn, helps prevent the health problems that are associated with chronic stress.
Improved quality of life
By managing your cat’s anxiety with calming treats, you can improve their quality of life. Anxious cats often struggle with health issues and may have a decreased sense of happiness because of this. When their anxiety is under control, they tend to have more energy, better digestion, and better social interactions with their humans and other cats.
Conclusion
As a pet parent, the last thing you want is for your fur baby to feel anxious or stressed out. Cats are especially prone to anxiety, especially if they’ve been through trauma in the past. Thankfully, calming treats for cats can make a significant difference to a cat with anxiety. Most cats love treats, so it should be easy to give them Under the Weather’s star-shaped Calming Soft Chews for cats.
At Under the Weather, we want to make it easy for pet owners to pick out the right supplements, food, and treats for their furry family members. Feel free to check out our wide selection of products, or check out our blog to learn more. A healthy pet means a happy home, so don’t wait any longer to give your pet what they deserve!
