Usually, cats take longer to calm down than a dog. Cats are more nervous animals and less likely to be socialized, so it’s going to take them a little bit longer to adjust. Usually, it depends on the reason why the cat is anxious. If you’re adopting a cat that’s never been in a home before, it’s going to take them longer to adjust than if you’re adopting a cat that has been in homes before.
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What Can I Give My Cat To Calm Her Down?
As a cat owner, you want to use safe products that have a long-term benefit to your cat’s health. There are effective natural remedies available that are easy to administer.
Chamomile
This flower has great anti-anxiety properties that are effective for cats. Animal studies have shown that chamomile has substances that act on the same parts of the brain and nervous system as anti-anxiety drugs do. This effect promotes relaxation and reduces stress. The best way to expose the flower to your cat is in its dried form.
Valerian
This herb will not only calm your cat down but also make her sleep. Valerian induces a feeling of euphoria that calms your cat and makes her more docile.
Hops
It is an ingredient in beer that produces a calming effect. The dried flower is not only effective but also kind to her liver.
Catnip
The most effective way to use catnip is to administer it fifteen minutes prior to a stressful event, e.g., a vet visit.
Bach Rescue Remedy
Although not technically a herb, this is a good way to use as a stress-relieving tactic as it works immediately. Ensure you get an alcohol-free one for her.
Benadryl
Ensure you administer as per your vet’s recommendation.
Gabapentin and Trazadone
Administer as per your vet’s recommendation.
Relaxing Massage
Giving your cat a relaxing massage will make her feel relaxed and can calm her down when she’s feeling stressed.
A Pheromone-Infused Collar
This will work to reduce stress while providing continuous calming aid to your feline friend.
How to Calm Down a Cat with Anxiety
Food and Games
Allocate time to play with your cat more if she is an indoor cat. A great way to stimulate your cat mentally and physically is the use of food activity toys.
Environment Enrichment
Do this by creating safe hiding spaces using her basket/couple of boxes where she can retreat when feeling stressed. You can let her interact with you on her terms, as cats need to feel in control of their surroundings.
Use Your Body Language
Your cat needs to have her own space, which makes her feel safe and an easy way to escape when everything gets too much. Remember not to crowd her nor make a fuss. Let her come back on her terms.
Relaxing Music
You can soothe your cat by playing her relaxing music as you bond.
Behavioral Conditioning
This is where you identify fear triggers in your cat’s life and work on desensitizing her to these triggers through repeated, safe exposure or completely removing them from that environment.
Counter-conditioning is where you train your cat to replace negative behavior with a positive one while forming positive associations with the new behavior. The overall goal is to teach your cat that they’re safe and to relax them.
How to Calm a Cat at Night
Enrich Your Daytime Options
This will ensure she plays on her own during the daytime, which means less activity at night. Young and adult cats need at least two play sessions a day, in the morning and evening.
Play With Your Cat Close To Your Bedtime
You can also provide a dry food snack afterward. Better yet, leave it out in a food puzzle to engage your cat overnight.
Time Her Feeds
You can get her a timed feeder and work on setting a convenient routine.
Puzzle Toys
Work on food dispensing and the use of puzzle toys in the evenings for your cat, which goes on to foster a calm night. (www.greatpetcare.com)
How to Calm Down a Hyperactive Cat
Play With Her
Spending several minutes every day playing with your cat helps her burn energy.
Provide Fun Toys
You can enrich your cat’s environment by making sure she has fun toys to play with. This is important, especially if she spends many hours alone in the house.
Friendly Company
A playdate with another cat can prove to be stimulating for your cat.
Pheromones
You can help your cat relax by spraying feline pheromones in her environment. It can also be incorporated into her collar.
Medication
Your vet can prescribe medication if the case is serious, which can be very helpful.
Her Own Space
This can be a dimly lit room which is her private haven. She can use this space to unwind away from other pets, people and distractions. It helps her let out energy without worrying about destroying anything.
Clean Their Litter Box
Cats are generally clean animals, so a dirty litter box can distress them, which might cause them to act out because they are unhappy. Just to be safe, clean their litter box every day.
Cuddle Time
Cats love attention and love from their owners, which makes them feel content and satisfied. If your cat craves your snuggles, she might start acting out to get your attention. Allocate time for snuggling and those loving belly rubs.
Grooming
A healthy cat will typically clean itself. Inability to clean themselves might cause frustrations which in turn leads to bad behavior. Let’s say a cat has become overweight over time and isn’t able to reach certain parts of her body to clean them. This can cause your cat anxiety and act out. Consult your vet on how to achieve a healthy weight.
How to Calm Down Your Cat When Angry
Provide a Safe Environment
A safe space helps to release a cat’s aggression, helping them calm down. Ensure you have scratching posts that act as a great alternative to your furniture. Make sure your cat’s litter is in an undisturbed area, as cats tend to hide more than usual when she’s angry.
Approach Slowly
Ease this fear by acting small and approaching slowly, which shows them you are not a threat. Once she has calmed down, you can approach your cat cautiously and slowly. You can offer him a treat and wait for him to come to you. Never make a cat feel like it’s cornered.
Interrupt the Behavior
Try distracting your cat with activities such as shaking a jar of coins, throwing their favorite toy in their direction, or squirting them lightly with a small water gun. Don’t offer them food /treat a pouch as they might interpret this as a reward for mean behavior. Remember not to try punishment, picking up or touching an angry cat as they might attack you.
At What Age Do Male Cats Calm Down
To answer this question, there isn’t a specific age when a male cat calms down.
The best possible way to calm down male cats is to have them neutered. Getting them neutered in time can curtail a number of behaviors. These include spraying urine everywhere, roaming ‘ their ‘ territory looking for mates, and absconding home.
Even if they are exhibiting just some of these behaviors, neutering may still help.
