Last Updated on January 25, 2023 by admin
Do you have a stressed-out cat? Do they pace, meow excessively, and hide? Don’t worry – it’s normal for cats to experience stress. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to help calm your cat down and reduce their anxiety. In this article we’ll explore five easy methods you can use to create a peaceful atmosphere for your feline friend.
It can be difficult to calm a cat down when it is feeling anxious or overwhelmed. However, there are a few steps that can be taken to help soothe your feline friend. Johnson recommends scents such as honeysuckle and lavender, which can have a calming effect on cats. Another option is to try using a soothing remedy such as herbal calming sprays, pet-friendly CBD oil, or feline-specific calming supplements. Creating a positive environment around the source of fear, such as introducing a new family member, can also help. Additionally, establishing a normal routine – such as playing with your cat before bed – and providing enrichment activities, like food activity toys, can help to keep your cat relaxed. Finally, if cats are tussling, making a loud noise or creating another distraction can help to diffuse the situation. With these tips in mind, you can help to keep your cat calm and happy.
Create a Positive Environment
Creating a positive environment is key to calming down a cat. Some recommend scents such as honeysuckle and lavender, which have a soothing effect on cats. However, it is better to buy aroma or fragrance products that are specifically designed for cats since some essential oils can be toxic to cats. Another way is using food puzzles to engage their minds and bodies, as well as vertical space for climbing. Make sure your cat has all their essentials inside the room: litter box, food, and water. Give them time and space to decompress. If there’s a specific source of fear, like a vacuum cleaner, try to create a positive experience around it by using positive reinforcement or gently move your cat to another area of the house when you vacuum. Finally, make sure your cat has their own safe space to retreat to when they feel overwhelmed. With the right environment, cats can increase their activity, reduce mental stagnation and prevent behavioral issues.
Provide Soothing Remedies
To further help your cat relax, there are a few natural remedies you can use. Popular options for calming cats include herbal remedies such as chamomile, hops, valerian, skullcap, and passionflower. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that mimics your cat’s natural pheromones and helps to provide a calming effect. Calming pet supplements such as L theanine, tryptophan, and choline are also helpful for cat anxiety. Finally, consider using a calming cat spray or pheromone spray to help reduce stress in cats. All of these remedies can be used in combination with other methods to help your cat relax and feel safe.
Play With Your Cat
In addition to creating a positive environment, providing soothing remedies, and keeping your cat inside, another way to help calm down your cat is to try playing with them. Playing with your cat can both help give them an energy outlet and also help create a normal rhythm for them. Cat owners should try playing with their cats a lot before they travel so that they can be more inclined to sleep during the journey. Some good toys to use include wand chases, red laser pointers, and food activity toys. However, it’s important to remember that aggressive cats can be dangerous, so never intervene while your cat is acting upset. If they happen to be tussling, simply make a brief loud noise or create another distraction.
Keep Your Cat Indoors
Keeping your cat indoors is an important step to ensuring their safety and keeping them calm. There are several steps you can take to make the indoors a comfortable and happy place for your cat. For one, cats love looking out windows, so make sure windows are properly screened to prevent them from escaping. Also, try to keep the noise level low in the house, as your cat may become stressed due to unfamiliar sounds. Be sure to provide plenty of toys, scratching posts and climbing frames to keep them entertained and engaged. Additionally, cats enjoy chewing on grass and other plants, so consider placing potted plants with wheat or oat grass seed in the house for your cat to nibble on. Just remember that cats can easily get gastrointestinal upset if they chew too much on plants. Finally, create a cool, dark spot for your cat to retreat to in hot weather by using a cardboard box lined with cotton or terry towel. By following these steps, you can ensure that your cat remains calm and happy indoors.
Establish a Routine
Creating a regular routine for your cat is essential to helping them settle into their new environment. This can help reduce anxiety and keep them feeling secure. Start by feeding your cat at the same time each day and regularly take them outside for fresh air. If you’re going to be out of the house for extended periods of time, make sure to provide them with plenty of toys and distractions. Taking car rides more often can also help them get used to traveling, which can help reduce stress in the long run.
Introduce New Family Members Slowly
Introducing a new family member into your cat’s environment can be intimidating and cause them to become stressed. To help reduce the anxiety that they may experience, it’s best to take it slow. Have a friend or family member help you with the introduction and have one cat and one person on each side of the door. Slowly lure or coax your cat out of a place where they feel safe, but don’t force them. Allow your cat to make the first move and have another family member or friend quietly sit down next to your new cat. Provide your cat with some of your clothing so that they can get used to your scent and feel comfortable around you. Fit the room with water, food, and litter boxes, and provide some toys and treats to keep their minds occupied. With this gradual process, it will be easier for them to adjust to the new addition to your family.
Provide a Safe Space
Giving your cat a safe space to retreat to when it feels stressed is also a great way to help it relax. Experts recommend creating hiding places for your cat using their basket or boxes. These safe spaces will allow your cat to escape from any potential threats and help them feel secure. Additionally, providing plenty of vertical territory, like a cat tree, can help cats feel more comfortable and in control of their environment. You can also provide your cat with a hammock or elevated bed which will give them a cozy place to relax and take a nap. Giving your cat the opportunity to hide and take naps can help them stay calm and will also provide physical and mental stimulation which is essential for stress-free cats.
Create a Normal Rhythm
It’s important to create a normal rhythm for your cat to help them stay relaxed and calm. One way to do this is by playing calming music an hour and a half before bedtime. Harmonies, pure tones, and regular rhythms can be used to produce calming effects but avoid dissonance and irregular beats. It’s also helpful to be aware of the normal respiratory rate for a cat so that you can recognize when they are breathing fast. A healthy cat will take between 20 and 30 breaths per minute, and rapid breathing in cats is also known as tachypnea. If your cat has a rapid heartbeat, it can be a sign of heart or lung disease, or a systemic problem. To diagnose and treat arrhythmias in pets, we need to listen for the rate, rhythm, and sounds of their heart. A normal cat heart rate is between 140–220 beats per minute and presence of cardiac rhythm disturbances are also referred to as cardiac dysrrhythmias. Creating a normal rhythm for your cat can help keep them calm and relaxed.
Intervene Carefully During Aggressive Behavior
It’s important to intervene carefully when a cat is acting aggressively. Distracting a cat with a toy or treat can help sidetrack it from its behavior, and it’s important to avoid situations that may make the cat aggressive. Separating cats who are acting aggressively toward each other and reintroducing them slowly with positive reinforcement can also help. Pheromones, available through your veterinarian, may also be used to reduce stress-related behavior. Lastly, ensuring a cat has a safe space away from other animals or unfamiliar people and a normal rhythm of activity is essential for calming an aggressive cat.