However, essential oils should never be used on cats due to their liver functioning, which makes it difficult (if not impossible) to break down the compounds and can lead to serious illness – even death. Remember, a cat is allowed to follow you (which, if you have a Maine Coon you will be well aware of) but you aren’t allowed to follow them! After identifying the reason for your cat's aggression, you can better manage their behavior. By nature, cats are both prey animals and predators, so “fear is a hardwired emotion in cats,” Calder notes. All Rights Reserved 2021. If cats don’t want to do something, don’t try and force them. “This way, their carrier can become a place of safety,” Van de Kieft says. Make your cat calm for a happier cat and closer bond. She has a husband, infant son, three-legged dog and two silly old cats at home. Senior cats need scheduled playtime once a day, too. Some stressors for cats include thunderstorms, strangers in the house, and moving into a new neighborhood among other things. They offer suggestion on how to calm a scared cat, how to help cats stay calm at night so you can get a good night’s sleep, how to make car rides less stressful, and how to help a cat adjust after a move. When it’s time for an actual drive somewhere, she suggests bringing along cat snacks and making sure there is good airflow in the car. While some cats are laidback and happy to roll with (or snooze through) almost anything, others are easily frazzled by all sorts of situations and experiences. The answer to this question pretty much depends on the breed of your cat. As a result, many are easily rattled. Young and adult cats need at least two play sessions a day, she says, in the morning and evening. Male domestic cats, or tomcats, are known to exhibit a number of potentially troublesome behaviours if they are not neutered, and this can be difficult for pet owners to manage. I love cats and I have always enjoyed discovering more about their psyche. Do cats ever calm down? A desire to explore or roam far from home. Allow it some space, and soon your cat’s timidness should subside. Another majo… All... petsKB is owned by Jane and Matt Pettitt. The scent emitted from diffusers can make your cat feel more calm and relaxed. Be patient with your cat When you shake a toy at a cat and it snubs your efforts to engage it in play, it can be quite disheartening. Open your eyes as slowly as you closed them. Instead, Van de Kieft recommends quickly removing the source of stress and then closing your scared cat off in one room, dimming the lights, and even putting on some stress-reducing cat music (2)—specially designed tracks with purring layered over soothing tunes. Her story on a New Jersey farm that raises water buffalo won a "Best Single Article" Eddie Award for excellence in magazine writing. Often they will do this as you approach and it is a sign that they trust you and don’t see you as a threat in any way. So now you will have a cat that is … Cat behavior helps us understand the cat signs and cat symptoms of a scared cat and helps us calm his anxiety. To calm your cat, it helps to first understand why they tend to react anxiously in car rides. If you’re having fun with them and they wander off, don’t follow them! Cat pheromone products like FeliWay are created in labs to mimic the pheromones that are naturally produced by our feline pals. Other times, you may need to calm a cat for reasons that have nothing to do with fear. © 2021 Great Pet Media. “Cats may respond positively to the presence of someone they know and trust,” Parry says. We offer valuable insights based on our own first-hand experiences. Look at them, yes, but don’t stare at them. We’re applying natural cat behavior to the situation. It can never hurt to take your cat to the veterinarian to undergo a thorough examination to make sure your cat doesn’t have any underlying health problems that are causing its anxiety. Calder also recommends food-dispensing and puzzle toys for cats in the evening to foster a calm night. Sign up for our newsletter to stay in-the-know. “Cats have a normal rhythm: hunt and then eat what they hunted, relax, and go to sleep,” Van de Kieft says. Let our authors & experts know what you think. For other instigators, you may have to be a bit more creative.As noted above, play aggression is a very common form of feline aggressive behavior. If an aggressive cat is staring-down another cat, you will never see it yawn. You should always speak with your own veterinarian first before adding or changing your cat’s diet. If the cat is looking at you, by all means, look at it back, but do occasionally look away. Don't fret! Remember that cats feel our energy whether is it positive or negative and it does affect them. Cats are not exactly known for their love of travel. These behaviours include, but are not limited to: 1. There are a number of products on the market designed to help calm down anxious cats. The tips below just work. Persistent meowing to attract female cats; 3. This is because they no longer will be able to associate you with any kind of threat as they will have become more accustomed to you. Whatever the reason, you want your cat to trust you. You can spritz this cat calming spray onto a towel or straight into the carrier itself. Or, alternatively, it might just be an aggressive cat. Make it a nice silent one. So, that’s great – but what does this have to do with you calming them down? In general, Calder says it’s best to give cats plenty of space and provide ample hiding spots and vertical territory where they can retreat, relax, and calm down when they’re anxious or scared. Offering extra stimulation during times before they become aggressive can help a cat change their behavior over time. Earthing is also known as grounding is also one of the best ways to calm an anxious cat. 20. If the cat starts meowing at 4 a.m., have a snack set to go off at 3:45.”. Cats don’t like unpredictable movements combined with noise and well, this kinda describes children perfectly, right? To further those happy carrier feelings, Van de Kieft recommends taking a short walk with your cat in his carrier around the house, then in the hallway, then outside. Many people stow carriers in their basement or closets, only bringing them out for car trips—most often to the veterinarian’s office. Let Your Cat Ride Shotgun Calming cat treats contain certain natural herbs, minerals, and other natural calming agents that will reduce the amount of stress your cat … This will allow your nervous cat to adopt the high ground where it will feel safe and also provide it with places to hide. Many cat parents that use pheromones report that it does help lessen anxiety. For cats who are still overly anxious in the car, Van de Kieft and Calder both recommend pheromone sprays—products that mimic the natural cat pheromones linked to calm and peaceful feelings. They can be added to a diffuser to create a calm space, or a collar that your cat wears everywhere. But how can you calm a cat? Then give her time and space to decompress. There are several pheromone diffusers that aim to mimic a cat’s own scent to help it feel at home. Moods are contagious and if you’re calm and happy, then there is less for your cat to be stressed out about. Along with its face, two of the most sensitive areas of a cat's anatomy are its front paws. Our previous two, Harry and Charlie, sadly, passed away during the last six months. You will notice if you watch out for it carefully, that when you look at your cat, it may blink slowly and possibly then look away. What this is demonstrating to your cat is that your focus is not directly on it. Stock it with treats, fresh bedding, catnip, food and toys. Feliway makes a vet-recommended 30-day starter kit. They can be sprayed or used as a difusor. Just get down on their level, follow the ideas I’ve mentioned above, and don’t pay them much attention. Jennifer Van de Kieft—a certified feline training and behavior specialist who runs the consulting company, —also notes that when it comes to cats and stress, “it’s so much easier to prevent fear than it is to treat it.”, Instead, Van de Kieft recommends quickly removing the source of stress and then closing your scared cat off in one room, dimming the lights, and even putting on some stress-reducing cat music (. When a cat is stressed, it will need space, not contact. Rules are rules. When a nervous cat looks at you it will try to determine whether you are a threat or not. If they want to leave then there’s a reason for it. Plus, you’ll find the bond between you becomes closer. Dr. Emily Swiniarski is Chief Medical Officer of PAWS Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. They’re conveniently available on Amazon. You will be able to do this eventually but not at the outset if they are very anxious. For 22 situations you’ll definitely sympathize all too well with, head straight over to 22 Things All Cat Owners Have in Common. I'm Matt Pettitt, joint founder of the Pets Knowledge Base alongside my wife, Jane. We have 25 years of experience as Maine Coon cat owners and have also owned many other pets throughout our lives. This will include their normal and personal resting area, having the curtains drawn, no hectic movements or loud sounds and maybe some soothing music. Give her an appropriate outlet Again, this is less about a stress issue for cats, and more about an uneven match between their natural schedules and ours. It will focus entirely on you as you do it. We like Feline Greenies Dental Treats because they are a natural formula with added vitamins, minerals, and taurine to offer complete nutrition, plus dental care. If you have a cat, go and try this now. Van de Kieft recommends upping your cat’s daytime enrichment options so that he plays on his own during daylight hours instead of saving his energy to rampage through the house at night. How to Calm an Anxious Cat Take your cat to the veterinarian. Perhaps it wasn’t handled and socialized properly as a kitten or it is a nervous rescue cat with an unknown history. For some cats, Calder will prescribe medications to help reduce fear and anxiety. If you'd like to know more about us, and how to contact us - take a look at our About page here. Another great way to calm your cat down is by using calming cat treats. After all, cats are supposed to be ever-playful even into old age. These are no ordinary treats that you give your cat for being good. 6. “Cats sleep a lot during the day, especially if you’re at work,” she adds. While you should avoid smothering your kitty with love, just being there physically is a good idea, especially if you have an affectionate cat. 3. The first two steps we describe are known as the SLOBLY technique when used in combination. In general, cats don’t really calm down since they are born predators. You can see more details and the current price by clicking this link. Using a spray bottle as a method to calm a cat does the exact opposite. I don’t mean bribe your kids Although that does sometimes work! That means pet parents should not only have foresight into what could frazzle their cat, but also work on advance training and familiarization for situations you know will arise in the future—like a trip to the veterinarian. Then, after a while, get up and just get on with stuff. Put some on the floor near them and if they seem interested and willing, try and get them to take one from your hands. Keep some treats handy and if you’re sitting nearby and the nervous cat doesn’t seem too keen on approaching, try enticing them with some treats. Benadryl is a human anti-histamine medicine that tends to leave cats drowsy and therefore more compliant on long car trips. Repeat and eventually, you will find they become more comfortable in your presence. Meanwhile, stick to her usual schedule for feeding and playtime as much as possible. Whatever the cause, “it is important not to try and stop or correct the behavior, as this can sometimes be reinforcement,” Calder says. She recommends starting with the cat carrier. How to Calm Your Cat Down? This is a natural cat calming technique that works well to calm your cat down in the car. Are you looking for new ways to entertain your cat? Combine this with a slow-blink and occasionally looking away. I know – I’ve been using them the best part of my life! Until they aren’t. To calm a cat that’s agitated, use a quiet voice, lure it to you with food, and try gently petting it from the bridge of the nose up. Cats are sweet, friendly, and cuddly. Some cats even go into hiding when they’re anxious. If you use a spray bottle, you will create behavioral issues. By yawning in front of your cat (I bet you’re yawning right now, just thinking about it), you are demonstrating your lack of threat. Fill it with all her familiar belongings, and make sure there are separate areas for using the litter box, resting, eating and drinking. Repeat these steps every single time your cat looks at you and remember to keep things nice and slow. It’s particularly effective in multi-cat households and is conveniently available on Amazon. To see if cat music would work to calm cats at the vet's office, they experimented with 20 cats who enrolled in the study. See the full details and current price at this link. Since a new place will smell different already, “bring as much stuff as possible that smells like the cat, so there are familiar things there,” she says. How to Administer the Herbs to Calm Your Cat Herbs come in many forms – tinctures, dried flowers or leaves, essential oils, and teas are just a few. Our latest Maine Coon definitely responded well to these techniques when she joined us at age 16 months. Access our library of professional veterinarian resources. There are many things that cat parents have in common – it’s like being part of a crazy club. Since cats see best in low light, they’re hardwired to be most active at dawn and dusk. An aggravated cat or kitten is generally behaving that way because they don't know how to react. But don’t be fooled! Especially if they are starting to avoid using the litter box and urinating inappropriately. Van de Kieft says the best thing you can do is leave your carrier out all the time. When a cat rolls onto its back, it is not an invitation for you to tickle it! “Have friends over, have kids over, get them used to different experiences—it builds resilience,” she says. Unfamiliar scents or those of other animals can prove a real hindrance to your cat’s progress when it comes to settling in. If your cat does not stop for a moment, it bites, spider, smashes the curtains with its claws, throws objects, or shreds the cushions, it has a hyperactivity problem. Knowing how to calm a cat down at night may be the key to getting a good night’s rest yourself. This really works so if you can get over how you might look, do give it a go! Never stare at a cat that’s feeling stressed and anxious. If for whatever reason, they want to go somewhere that they’ll feel more secure they need to know that they can do that, alone. Restless or erratic behaviour; 4. There could be numerous reasons why your cat doesn’t seem as comfortable as it should. ), but what about when our whiskered friends are the ones feeling anxious? So, what you want to do is quite simple really. AND a $500 SHOPPING SPREE at Muttropolis! Give them space and don’t crowd them. Your cat will smell the scent on the blanket and it will calm him down due to the familiarity of the scent. That is why it is important to know how to calm a cat, with patience. Next up: a short drive in the car in which nothing bad happens and the treats are plentiful. Wait a couple of seconds and divert your attention to something else, but do all of this slowly with no sudden movements. If you own (or are thinking of acquiring) a Maine Coon cat - you need to grab a copy of our handbook! As I said above, if you’re going to take just one thing from this article or just don’t have time to read anymore, just take this one point on-board. As you yawn, close your eyes which will help your cause. Don’t try to pick her up or move her, Calder says, since some cats may redirect their stress onto you and become aggressive. You can reinforce with treats if you’d like. “Essential oils can be toxic to cats, especially if ingested.”. Teach your children about your cat’s feelings and needs and how they should behave around them. You will be showing it that you mean it no harm. As a result, many are easily rattled. It’s not really that complex. By nature, cats are both prey animals and predators, so “fear is a hardwired emotion in cats,” Calder notes. , may alleviate stress and anxiety during car rides, but make sure to speak with a veterinarian before giving your cat a new product. For example, if your cat hides in a wardrobe or a cupboard when you have visitors at the house, it’s probably unsettled by the new people. A nervous cat will want to be able to escape sometimes and climbing somewhere high is often appealing to them. Medication, if we are faced with a very serious case, it is possible to use drugs such as anxiolytics that always have to be prescribed by a veterinarian. Your cat will be able to tell that you are happy and in a good mood. Slowly close your eyes whilst still facing it and keep them closed for about 2 seconds. Again, keep everything really controlled and slow and make no sudden movements. I mean occasionally you can improve the bond between yourself and your cat if you have a little incentive. Her professional interests include infectious diseases, community cats, and whole health of animals in shelter environments, including medical protocols and stress reduction. When near a nervous cat, you should always remain calm – no sudden movements and no loud noises. It seems bored and needs and how they should behave around them cat rubs her face the... It yawn - take a look at our about page here you aren ’ t particularly interested bothering! For example. on below gives cats a sense of safety a and. Are created in labs to mimic a cat rolls onto its back but! Places to hide the market calm a cat to help calm down since they are born predators which nothing bad and. 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And force them to a stressful condition t matter what breed they are starting to avoid using the litter and... Safe haven ” room for your cat telling you that you mean it no harm if it has any,... Open your eyes which will help if you 'd like to know more about their psyche then is! Happens and the treats are plentiful and occasionally looking away predators, so “ fear is a nervous rescue with... With other things trust you progress when it comes in several different heights and is conveniently available Amazon...