We have 25 years of experience as Maine Coon cat owners and have also owned many other pets throughout our lives. Don’t try and do it too close to your cat but relatively near them (they obviously have to see you otherwise you’re going to look pretty stupid) slowly roll onto your back and impersonate Harry in the picture above! “When you travel, it’s like taking a piece of their home with them.”. Since I was just 2 years of age I've had pets in my life - which I don't mind admitting is 47 years! But with a pet cat, you might start with a “cat fight” first. Jennifer Van de Kieft—a certified feline training and behavior specialist who runs the consulting company Cat Advocate LLC—also notes that when it comes to cats and stress, “it’s so much easier to prevent fear than it is to treat it.”. All you need to do is behave as a cat would towards an aggressive cat if it didn’t want to appear as a threat. Teach your children about your cat’s feelings and needs and how they should behave around them. Cats are highly sensitive creatures and can get stressed by things you’d never consider. Offering extra stimulation during times before they become aggressive can help a cat change their behavior over time. Cat pheromone products like FeliWay are created in labs to mimic the pheromones that are naturally produced by our feline pals. Interceptor is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates. Rules are rules. If an aggressive cat is staring-down another cat, you will never see it yawn. Most vets recommend lavender, frankincense, and copaiba for cats. How to Calm Your Cat Down? Put some on the floor near them and if they seem interested and willing, try and get them to take one from your hands. Petting a cat has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in humans (1), but what about when our whiskered friends are the ones feeling anxious? While you should avoid smothering your kitty with love, just being there physically is a good idea, especially if you have an affectionate cat. They therefore have a calming effect when prescribed. Especially if they are starting to avoid using the litter box and urinating inappropriately. They can be added to a diffuser to create a calm space, or a collar that your cat wears everywhere. Our previous two, Harry and Charlie, sadly, passed away during the last six months. It won’t be easy and it won’t always work but if you can communicate the importance of this to your kids, especially if a cat is nervous – it will really help them out! Many people stow carriers in their basement or closets, only bringing them out for car trips—most often to the veterinarian’s office. Whatever the reason, you want your cat to trust you. Your cat should relax a little and you should see the results of this immediately. 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. This is why training children is so important. Look at one of our cat’s, Harry, in the next photo. 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. When you do it you can almost see them becoming less stressed and anxious right in front of you! Understanding Cat Behavior: Anxiety, Fear, and Hyperactivity, “There are many things that can stress out cats,” says Christine Calder, a certified veterinary behaviorist and the director of behavior services for. 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. Her story on a New Jersey farm that raises water buffalo won a "Best Single Article" Eddie Award for excellence in magazine writing. They will brush up their hunting skills now and then. If the cat starts meowing at 4 a.m., have a snack set to go off at 3:45.”. 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. There are numerous reasons why your cat may feel particularly anxious but usually, it’s related to their environment or their history. As you yawn, close your eyes which will help your cause. Cats thrive on routine. For instance, slow blinking followed by a big yawn and then look away for a bit before doing it again. This feeds nicely into the last point actually. Dr. Emily Swiniarski is Chief Medical Officer of PAWS Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Young and adult cats need at least two play sessions a day, she says, in the morning and evening. Access our library of professional veterinarian resources. It’s conveniently available on Amazon. Then, after a while, get up and just get on with stuff. When your cat is comfortable around you, he is more likely to stay calm and be relaxed. These behaviours include, but are not limited to: 1. We love this particular technique so much. There are several pheromone diffusers that aim to mimic a cat’s own scent to help it feel at home. “Sometimes when cats are upset, it can take a couple hours to calm down,” says Van de Kieft. Any of the above tips will have an impact but I usually combine a few of them at the same time. 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. Earthing is also known as grounding is also one of the best ways to calm an anxious cat. Until they aren’t. Knowing how to calm a cat down at night may be the key to getting a good night’s rest yourself. 6. Still, cats will mature, and their kitten hyperactivity will subside by three to four years. A desire to explore or roam far from home. Cats can get stressed and we as Cat parents should take extra notice to see any sudden changes to our Cats behavior. If it seems bored and needs more stimulation, you’d better read our Top 19 ways to keep your cat entertained. suggest to pet parents as a cat anxiety treatment? Moods are contagious and if you’re calm and happy, then there is less for your cat to be stressed out about. You can reinforce with treats if you’d like. If you'd like to know more about us, and how to contact us - take a look at our About page here! Provide Stimulation to Calm an Aggressive Cat Many times, aggression in cats is associated with built-up energy. Other times, you may need to calm a cat for reasons that have nothing to do with fear. The idea behind this is that they will become more comfortable with you over time. Make your cat calm for a happier cat and closer bond. For instance, when he goes on a late-night, hyperactive rampage while you’re trying to sleep. Cats can become nervous easily and although some are more nervous than others, generally they don’t feel comfortable with people who make a lot of noise. Providing ways for a cat to exert its energy will help decrease aggressive behavior from building up. Cats don’t like unpredictable movements combined with noise and well, this kinda describes children perfectly, right? You can spritz this cat calming spray onto a towel or straight into the carrier itself. link to Why do cats shake their paws? 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. They will feel intimidated if they keep getting approached by people. With his little paws tucked in you would think that this is a certain invite for you to give him a little cheeky tickle. Win a LIFETIME SUPPLY of Interceptor® Plus(milbemycin oxime/praziquantel) 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. I mean occasionally you can improve the bond between yourself and your cat if you have a little incentive. The answer to this question pretty much depends on the breed of your cat. Calder also recommends food-dispensing and puzzle toys for cats in the evening to foster a calm night. 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. You can see more details and the current price by clicking this link. 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. Van de Kieft notes that play can help too, especially for young cats, since “exercise makes you forget about what’s going on.”. I'm Matt Pettitt, joint founder of the Pets Knowledge Base alongside my wife, Jane. But calm, because of this excess of energy of your pet can be corrected following some simple guidelines. “Cats sleep a lot during the day, especially if you’re at work,” she adds. Let her get comfortable and used to that room before slowly introducing her to the rest of the new home, ideally one space at a time. 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. If they want to leave then there’s a reason for it. Cats are sweet, friendly, and cuddly. Molly is an award-winning independent journalist who often writes about animals and the humans who care for them. There are a few techniques, which aren’t rocket-science but will enable you to calm almost any cat, in almost any situation. She says that night waking in older cats can also be due to cognitive or sensory decline. She suggests playing with your cat close to your own bedtime and providing a dry food snack afterward—or even leaving it out in a food puzzle to give your cat something to work on overnight. All... petsKB is owned by Jane and Matt Pettitt. See the full details and current price at this link. Sometimes it’s hard to really know. Persistent meowing to attract female cats; 3. We’re applying natural cat behavior to the situation. Always let a cat make the first move. Give her an appropriate outlet Great Pet Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, Petting a cat has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety in humans (. Don’t pick them up and plonk them somewhere if you don’t think they want to be there. “This way, their carrier can become a place of safety,” Van de Kieft says. Some cats even go into hiding when they’re anxious. Let our authors & experts know what you think. These are no ordinary treats that you give your cat for being good. You are showing it that you are not considering attacking it and you aren’t particularly interested in bothering it. You’ll find practical advice and care tips along with the answers to popular questions about cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, hamsters, and other pets. You can see more details and the current price by clicking this link. See the full details and current price at this link. Treats may also include an ingredient called alpha-casozepine, which may have a mild calming effect on stressed animals. (These happy pheromones are what come off when your cat rubs her face against the couch base, for example.) 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. , may alleviate stress and anxiety during car rides, but make sure to speak with a veterinarian before giving your cat a new product. For cats that need some extra help while in the car, Calder sometimes prescribes gabapentin as a cat anxiety medication for car-induced stress. 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. Addressing that stress begins with advance training, Van de Kieft says. Calder and Van de Kieft both recommend designating a single “safe haven” room for your cat when moving into a new place. This is your cat telling you that you shouldn’t see them as a threat in any way. Along with its face, two of the most sensitive areas of a cat's anatomy are its front paws. It can be great in environments where other animals may have been – or indeed to use before a new kitten or cat enters your home for the first time. That may be what it looks like but don’t be fooled! However, some cats remain anxious. An aggravated cat or kitten is generally behaving that way because they don't know how to react. Slowly close your eyes whilst still facing it and keep them closed for about 2 seconds. I love the process you go through when a cat initially doesn’t trust you and you persevere to slowly start to see some results. Cats are not exactly known for their love of travel. This will include their normal and personal resting area, having the curtains drawn, no hectic movements or loud sounds and maybe some soothing music. Stay calm yourself so your cat can learn to trust you. Just get down on their level, follow the ideas I’ve mentioned above, and don’t pay them much attention. Then give her time and space to decompress. 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