Cats are something of an enigma—intelligent, sometimes inscrutable animals whose sensitivity and perceptiveness make them fascinating and lovable pets. It’s not approved for use in animals by the FDA but it’s generally considered safe enough to use in small doses on cats. The first question cat owners might ask is whether the cat actually needs to be calmed down. Step 8 Cover the carrier or cage with a cloth, but leave plenty of air holes on the sides. “Always give cats a way out of a situation—an escape route—vertical or otherwise,” Parry advises. Certified animal behaviorist Jennie Lane of Alexandria, Virginia, recommends food-dispensing toys for some cats because it approximates their instinct to hunt for food. As is true with dogs, cats also require a low stress time to be set up in an unfamiliar environment where they will feel safe and secure as they adjust. You might try some herbal or homeopathic remedies such as Rescue Remedy Pet to help calm an anxious cat. Sometimes a noisy cat is simply uncomfortable from the car's vibration. A desire to explore or roam far from home. Take her to quiet place where she can be alone–if you’re in your home, a bathroom works well. “For most cats, covering up the carrier and blocking any extra stimuli is helpful,” Parry says—a towel or blanket will work fine. “People need to be able to take in all the information the cat is giving them with their expressions and body language—the tension in the body, the size of the pupils, the movement and direction of the ears, vocalizations, and so on.”. Here’s how you can create a calming situation for her to relax: Give the cat as much time as possible to calm down. And if they don’t have viable ways … “Cats may respond positively to the presence of someone they know and trust,” Parry says. “If any of their essential needs and resources are out of whack, you could have a chronically stressed cat,” Parry says. “Some of them can become over-stimulated and get aggressive when they play too long,” Lane says. Scratching posts are a good option, ideally placed in the cat’s favorite rooms. Besides addressing any behavioral issues and unhealthy household conflicts, it’s important to remember energy bursts are simply a part of who they are. Calming down a cat is a delicate process, so we’ve provided some tips for getting kitty back to his happy, mischievous self. Cats are known for getting the kitten crazies, or bursts of energy that range from running and jumping around the house at high speeds to animated play-fighting with other household pets. Cats do have a need for mental stimulation and exercise. Play some relaxing soft music to see if that will help them relax and calm down. Just like dogs, cats need an energy outlet. Bach Flowers, could be tested in these cases according to the guidelines set by the specialized veterinarian or floral therapist, always after a complete check up. Dodman likens off-the-wall behavior from cats to “cabin fever.” They’re cooped up inside, and though your cat may seek outside stimulation, dangers like traffic and wild animals typically make this an impractical solution. Restless or erratic behaviour; 4. “It can take cats hours to come down from a heightened, aroused state,” she says, so it’s important to give them space. Either because they are throwing rockets or firecrackers. By structuring in playtime with your cat, you can reduce unwanted or over-the-top behavior. If you’re a cat owner, you likely know that the picture-perfect idea of a cat purring and laying calmly at arm’s length while you pet her is inaccurate—at least some of the time. 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 cats don’t have safe, structured ways to entertain themselves, they’ll figure out ways to use that energy on their own. In this instance, Lane recommends consulting with an experienced animal behaviorist to help sort out issues  and ask your veterinarian for recommendations. Use Medicine to Calm a Cat Benadryl is a common way for owners to sedate their cat for travel. If you use a laser pointer for play, make sure to include opportunities for the cat to catch the “prey,” such as landing the laser on a treat, and letting the cat pounce on it. Cats are such interesting creatures. How to Calm a Cat: Throughout the year there are moments and days in which the cat can have a bad time. At a shelter, we’d recommend using a ‘cat den’ for her to settle down, which gives her somewhere to hide inside the cage. She notes that cats afraid of large rooms or unfamiliar environments can better acclimate to these areas through play. Talk to them in a normal, upbeat tone to help reassure them that everything is fine. First identify the behaviour you are seeing and go from there. A microwavable heat pack may be the easiest option, since you can quickly reheat it … Play and fun activities will also allow your cat to redirect its annoyance and frustration. Find out how to calm down an annoyed cat. When introducing the cat to a new pet, person, space, or other stressor that’s more long-term, Johnson advises to “take it slowly and introduce them one sense at a time,” since cats rely on their noses first and foremost. These are techniques that I have used successfully to calm a stray cat that lived on the streets for 3 years. Decompression for Cats. We’re not kitten around about this! And if they don’t have viable ways of letting that energy out during the day, you may find them careering around the house, jumping on top of furniture, and getting into areas they shouldn’t. They spend more time than normal going to the toilet. Cats feed off your stress so if you are the slightest bit stressed around them, … Using cat-friendly toys, such as interactive LED lasers or a tennis ball modified to contain treats, can work. With older cats, the most common physical reason for overactive activity is hyperthyroidism. Problem #3: My cat meows all night, which keeps me awake. But once you notice your cat is stressed or afraid, where do you go from there? It might be enough to keep your cat calm while you do a quick grooming. These behaviours include, but are not limited to: 1. All you need to hack your cat is a binder clip . “In some cases, short- or long-term anxiety medications can be very helpful,” she says. “Give cats things that they need in the places where they feel most comfortable,” Johnson says. Some of which are preventative measures to help them burn that energy off elsewhere, and some calm them mid-hyper-blowout. However, there are ways to provide safe outdoor activities for your cat. She emphasizes allowing cats to leave their scent in places they care about, and allowing them to access those places in times of stress. Specific feed and rewards, as there are products on the market that contain soothing substances that … Your veterinarian will look at factors like an individual cat’s history, specific triggers to problems, and a cat’s early life. She recommends “interactive play with a lure toy” in these spaces. One of the easiest ways to calm down an energetic kitten is to give it some … Subsequently, you’ll have a cat with bursts of energy. Likewise, if transporting your cat in a carrier or taking them to an unfamiliar place, Parry recommends taking along an item that bears the cat’s own scent from a “happy place and time,” which provides familiarity in a stressful situation. “The cat’s ancestors lived in much larger territories.”. “Play decreases stress in cats and can increase their confidence in places previously associated with fear,” Johnson says. Remember, it's important to figure out the underlying cause of the aggression. 1. “People think they can get the cat used to the scary thing by exposure,” she explains, “but desensitization by definition has to be done very gradually, and over days, weeks, or months to be effective.”. Catnip. “At the vet practice, when we have an aggressive cat in the exam room, we’ll put a couple of drops of lavender oil on a paper towel, so it’s just airing in the exam room,” she says. Territorial urine spraying; 2. Much like scent, cats are very sensitive to noise. 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