Calming Cat Treats: 7 to Help Your Anxious Feline
Reviewed by Emily Swiniarski, DVM. Updated on March 05, 2024
Anxiety isn’t something that affects just people—our feline friends can get anxious too. A new baby, dog, or home can all make your cat anxious. Sometimes even moving the furniture around can make your kitty feel insecure.
In addition, some felines develop separation anxiety when they’re away from their favorite human, while others just feel anxious more generally, especially if they had a traumatic experience.
Older cats can also develop anxiety as their memory and cognitive abilities start to fade, or if they start developing joint pain or illness. Other kitties might experience situational anxiety, which could happen during a veterinarian visit or trip to the groomer.
The good news is that there are things you can do to help your furry best friend feel more relaxed. Calming cat treats are part of that solution.
It’s important to note that certain medical conditions or pain can cause anxiety in cats, so it’s a good idea to have your cat examined by a veterinarian to rule out anything serious. If your feline gets a clear bill of health, these calming cat treats may help your cat destress.
Our Picks:
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- Best Overall Calming Cat Treats: VetriScience Composure Chicken Liver Flavored Soft Chews Calming Supplement
- Best for Calming Cat Treats for Everyday Stress: Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
- Best Cat Treats for Situational Anxiety: ThunderWunders Calming Cat Chews
- Best Calming Cat Treats for Multi-Pet Homes: Nutramax Solliquin Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Cats
- Best for Cats with Sensitive Stomachs: NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Cat Supplement Plus Melatonin
- Best Salmon-Flavored Calming Cat Treats: Zesty Paws Calming Bites
- Best CBD Cat Calming Treat: HolistaPet CBD Cat Treats
Best Calming Cat Treats: 7 Top Picks
Best Overall Calming Cat Treats
Our Pick: VetriScience Composure Chicken Liver Flavored Soft Chews Calming Supplement
Formulated specifically for cats that are nervous, hyperactive, anxious, or stressed, these treats start working in as little as 20 to 30 minutes after you give one to your cat. “VetriScience Composure chews have patented colostrum calming complex, thiamine, and L-theanine to help calm a cat’s anxiety,” explains Dr. Michelle Burch, a clinical veterinarian with 10 years of experience from Paramount Pet Health. The packaging includes recommended dosage, but you can also up the dosage safely if your cat needs a little extra help calming down.
Highlights
- Treats can be broken into smaller pieces
- They start having an effect on your cat quickly
- Safe to increase the dosage
- Chicken-liver flavored to appeal to cats
- Veterinarian formulated and recommended
- Available in different size packages
- Has NASC quality seal
Things to Consider
- Some older cats struggle to chew the treats because they’re harder than some chews
- Treats have a medicinal smell that some cats don’t like
- Not clear if they’re safe for pregnant cats
Best for Calming Cat Treats for Everyday Stress
Our Pick: Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
Made with L-theanine, thiamine (Vitamin B1) and a colostrum calming complex biopeptide blend, these treats are designed to help reduce your kitty’s anxiety and behavioral issues without making them sleepy or too sedated. So, you don’t have to worry that your kitty’s personality or energy will be impacted. They’re also safe to give every day without side effects.
Highlights
- Made in Vermont
- Free of wheat, corn and artificial ingredients
- Contain three active ingredients to calm your cat
- Won’t sedate or make your kitty sleepy
- Can be used daily or in times of high stress
- Safe to double or triple the dose
- Has NASC quality seal
Things to Consider
- Not meant for pregnant cats
- Only safe for cats, so keep away from other pets
Best Cat Treats for Situational Anxiety
Our Pick: ThunderWunders Calming Cat Chews
Made by the same U.S. company known for its anti-anxiety thundershirts for pets, these calming treats contain three active ingredients to help provide stress relief: thiamine, L-tryptophan, and chamomile. They’re chicken-flavored and work great for cats that have situational anxiety while traveling, during storms or fireworks, or visits with the veterinarian.
Highlights
- Dosage based on weight
- Treats stored in resealable jar
- Made in the USA
- Three active ingredients
- Made for cats with situational anxiety
- Chicken-flavored
Things to Consider
- Not meant for everyday use and shouldn’t be given for more than seven days in a row
- Shouldn’t exceed 4 chews daily
- Not for kittens under 12 weeks
- No NASC Quality seal
- Have a strong smell
Best Calming Cat Treats for Multi-Pet Homes
Our Pick: Nutramax Solliquin Soft Chews Calming Supplement for Cats
If you live with a cat and a dog, these treats might be what you’re looking for because they’re safe for both pets—which is a relief, especially if you are worried your dog might accidentally stumble upon your cat’s treats. “Solliquin contains L-theanine, magnolia/phellodendron extract, and whey protein concentrate to help control anxiety in a cat,” explains Burch, [and it] has been shown to help cats stop over-grooming, hiding, spraying, and inter-cat aggression.”
Highlights
- Three active ingredients to ease anxiety
- Safe for cats and dogs
- Idea for situational anxiety and behavioral anxiety
- Can be given to pets for 30-45 days in a row
- Can double dose if needed
- Soft chews for older cats
- Available from veterinarian office and online
Things to consider
- Not for kittens under 8 pounds
- Some cats don’t like the taste
Best for Cats with Sensitive Stomachs
Our Pick: NaturVet Quiet Moments Calming Aid Cat Supplement Plus Melatonin
Designed for cats that suffer from situational or separation anxiety, these calming cat treats are an especially good choice for cats that have sensitive stomachs or get carsick while traveling because they contain ginger. The treats also contain three calming ingredients—thiamine, L-Tryptophan, and melatonin—to help your cat relax and sleep better.
Highlights
- Veterinarian formulated
- Three active calming ingredients: thiamine, L-Tryptophan and melatonin
- Contain ginger to help cats with sensitive tummies
- Great for helping ease travel, anxiety, and separation anxiety in cats
- Has NASC quality seal
- Manufactured in the USA
- Sold in a convenient re-sealable cup
Things to Consider
- Not for kittens under the age of 12 weeks
- Treats are on the large side, so they may have to be broken up for cats
- Some reviewers found that mixing them into food helped their cats take them
Best Salmon-Flavored Calming Cat Treats
Our Pick: Zesty Paws Calming Bites
If your cat has a taste for salmon, these USA-made treats might be a good choice. They’re soft to chew and they’re free of corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives. They contain three active ingredients to help de-stress your cat — L-tryptophan, melatonin, and chamomile extract—and they have omega-3 fatty acid that helps support your kitty’s brain health.
Highlights
- Made in the USA
- Contain three active ingredients for easing anxiety
- Contain omega-3 fatty acid for brain health
- Free of corn, wheat, artificial flavors, and preservatives
- Come in a resealable jar
- Have the NASC Quality Seal
Things to Consider
- Not for pregnant cats
- Some cats won’t enjoy the salmon flavor or smell
Best CBD Cat Calming Treat
Our pick: HolistaPet CBD Cat Treats
These salmon-flavored treats are made with full-spectrum hemp to help your cat truly reap the calming and possible pain-relieving benefits of CBD. Each one contains 2mg of CBD, making it easy to dose your kitty correctly. They’re also made without artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, as well as being gluten-free, non-GMO, dairy-free, and grain free. The company also third-party tests their ingredients to ensure safety.
Highlights
- All-natural, clean ingredients
- Can reduce anxiety as well as joint pain
- Can save 25% if you subscribe for recurring shipments
- 2mg of CBD per treat
- Salmon flavor appeals to picky kitties
- Free shipping available
- Treats come in a resealable jar
Things to Consider
- Pricier than most treats
- Only available to order online at the company website
Calming Cat Treats Buyer’s Guide
If you’re considering purchasing calming treats for your cat, take the following advice into consideration.
When to Use Calming Treats for Cats
Anxiety in cats looks a little different than it does for humans.
For example, “pets with generalized anxiety disorder can show signs of trembling, excessive vocalization, inappropriate urination, inappropriate defecation, pacing, hiding, and destructiveness,” explains Burch.
“Signs of separation anxiety in a cat can include excessive meowing or other vocalization, excessive grooming, and not eating,” she continues, while “cats with situational anxiety can display aggression, attempting to hide, salivating, vocalization, restlessness, or trembling.”
Calming cat treats can be used in any of these circumstances to help your cat calm down or when your cat is acting like they’re overstimulated. Some calming treats can even be used in combination with prescription medication, as long as you talk to your veterinarian first.
Ingredients in Calming Cat Treats
“When choosing calming treats, try to look for rosemary, chamomile, or tryptophan,” says Karen Riley, a certified pet nutritionist. “These have been proven to induce a calming sensation in cats and slow their aggression.”
Melatonin is another popular ingredient in cat treats that has some sedative effects to help your cat’s anxiety, though it can make them sleepy.
Burch, meanwhile, recommends looking for L-theanine, Philodendron extracts, whey protein concentrate, thiamine (Vitamin B1), or alpha-casozepine, though, she cautions,“depending on the supplement used, it may take up to six weeks to see the full-effect.”
CBD cat treats can also be an option for reducing cat anxiety, though CBD can make some cats hungry or extra sleepy. It might also not be the right choice for kitties with sensitive tummies.
What to Look for In Cat Calming Treats
“Unfortunately, supplements for animal use have a lack of regulation,” says Burch, “which results in many companies producing products that have no effect on your pet or causing potential harm.”
That’s why she recommends looking for treats that have the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) Quality Seal. This seal means that the product was audited by a third party and that the company has complied with certain criteria to ensure quality and safety standards for your cat. It also abides by some stricter labeling requirements.
Precautions When Giving Cats Calming Treats
Finally, try to pay attention to the calories in your cat’s treats, especially if your cat’s on a stricter diet or struggles with their weight. “Since cats require fewer calories per day, a daily supplement could lead to unwanted weight gain,” Butch says.
Before giving your cat treats regularly, especially for anxiety or behavior issues, you should discuss the treats with your veterinarian. They can help ensure the treats are from a reputable brand and review the ingredients for you.
“Your veterinarian will ensure no adverse effects will occur if your cat has any underlying medical conditions,” says Burch.
