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Best Calming Treats for Cats 2024
Written by Adam Lee-Smith
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 10/23/2024, edited: 10/23/2024
The Wag! team conducts independent research and consults pet experts to curate our recommendations. This content is supported by our affiliate pet partners and we may receive a commission on the links provided.
Picture this: your cat needs to see a vet, but by the time they're through the vet's door, they're stressed, skittish, and nearly impossible to handle. Sound familiar?
Stress and anxiety can cause plenty of problem behaviors in your purring pal, like marking, scratching, hiding, and overgrooming. Calming treats are a natural way of easing your feline friend's nerves, using ingredients proven to reduce anxiety and improve your cat's mood.
We've rounded up six of the best calming cat treats for travel, vet visits, and general anxiety to help your feline relax in stressful situations.
Overview
Pet Honesty Dual Texture Calming Chews
Pet Honesty Dual Texture Calming Chews include several ingredients that can reduce stress and anxiety in cats. A 2018 study suggests one active ingredient, L-theanine, commonly found in green tea, can reduce long-term stress in as little as 15 days.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) is another calming ingredient that promotes cortisol production, which helps cats manage stress. Chamomile, in small doses, is a sleep aid for cats, just like for humans. Overall, these cat treats check all the boxes for calming down your feline friend—highly recommended.
Pet Honesty Calming Chews
Why Wag! loves Pet Honesty Dual Texture Calming Chews
- Crunchy with a soft center, just like traditional cat treats
- Includes L-theanine, chamomile, and thiamine to reduce stress
- No soy, corn, or wheat
- Money-back guarantee if unsatisfied with purchase
Considerations & concerns
- Aside from calming ingredients, barley flour and brewers yeast are the top ingredients
- Feed your cat one chew per lb of body weight per day
- May negatively interact with some medications, like blood thinners
What pet parents say about Pet Honesty Dual Texture Calming Chews
"My extra spicy cat loves these treats, and it really does make a difference in how she responds to our other cat and to us. When she went without in between shipments, she started hissing and exhibiting anxiety and aggression again. As soon as we got the next bag, she was back to [a] calmer, cooler version of herself."
"At first they didn't want them because they had other treats. I gave it a few days of no treats then when I went back to these, they enjoyed them a lot. Has really helped my one cat with being so anxious and the other one with being so wild. Will continue to get!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Pet Honesty.
Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats
Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats rely on catnip as the key calming ingredient. When sniffed, catnip is a stimulant for cats, but when eaten, it has a calming effect that can help with anxiety.
As well as being calming cat treats, Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats include probiotics and prebiotics that help digestion. Plus, they're all-natural, with quality cuts of chicken and sweet potato at the top of the ingredient list.
Shameless Pets Crunchy Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats
- All-natural cat treats with real chicken as the #1 ingredient
- Contains catnip, which has a soothing effect on cats when ingested
- Rich in probiotics and prebiotics to aid digestion
- No corn or soy
- Just 1.5 calories per treat
Considerations & concerns
- Catnip may not change your cat's long-term stress levels
- Cats build up a tolerance to catnip, making it less effective over time
What pet parents say about Shameless Pets Catnip N Chill Crunchy Cat Treats
"My older cat has reached a point in life where he needs some medical treatments twice a day. My trial order of Smalls cat food included these treats. Lo and behold, my cat LOVES these treats. I shake the bag and he jumps up onto the nightstand so I can give him his meds, then he gets 3 to 4 kibbles as a reward. No trauma, no fighting, no spitting out, no hiding - and I get a healthy cat who is happy to boot. So glad I found where I can order more of these. Highly recommend!"
"Great for the cat. She seems to calm down better after she's played and then relaxes."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Shameless Pets.
Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews are among the best calming cat treats for travel or taking your feline friend to the dreaded vet. These chewy treats contain C3 (colostrum calming complex), a patented blend of proteins that incorporates colostrum, produced from mammary glands.
Along with calming ingredients like thiamine and L-theanine, C3 is proven to reduce stress. Across the board, these treats are an excellent all-natural remedy for keeping your kitty calm.
Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
Why Wag! loves Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
- Contains patented C3 (colostrum calming complex), which promotes calmness
- Includes other calming ingredients like thiamine and L-theanine
- Flavored with chicken liver to encourage your cat to chow down
Considerations & concerns
- Some pet parents commented that their cats didn't like how these treats taste
- Recommended dosage is one chew per day
What pet parents say about Pet Naturals Calming Cat Chews
"Calming for sure! I bring these treats out when our boos are ramping up to be feisty, and they help to reset their focus and chill out. Thank you!"
"My cat used to love these but now turns away and spits them out. I crumble the treat into his food which sometimes works. They are great for traveling and vet visits."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Pet Naturals.
Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats
In addition to chamomile and lavender, Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats include tryptophan, a natural amino acid that aids serotonin production, helping improve your purring pal's mood.
As a bonus, Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats are nutritionally rich. Get Naked loads each treat with taurine, fatty acids, and lysine to support your feline's general well-being.
Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats
- Rich in tryptophan, chamomile, and lavender to promote serotonin production and calmness
- Grain-free with real salmon as the #1 ingredient
- High in taurine, lysine, and fatty acids
- Less than 1 calorie per treat
Considerations & concerns
- Contains dried cheese—may be unsuitable for cats with sensitive stomachs and dairy allergies
What pet parents say about Get Naked Calming Health Crunchy Cat Treats
"I like that this product is natural and has a somewhat clean label. My cat loves the salmon & cheese flavor and it works regarding the calming benefit."
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright npicpet.
VetriScience Composure Calming Soft Chews
VetriScience claims its calming cat treats can change your kitty's mood in just 30 minutes, using a blend of C3 (colostrum calming complex), L-theanine, and thiamine to reduce nervousness and anxiety.
VetriScience Composure Calming Soft Chews might not be the tastiest treats in the world, but they're available in a few different flavors to appease fussy felines.
- Available flavors: Chicken, Trout, Chicken & Trout
VetriScience Composure Calming Soft Chews
Why Wag! loves VetriScience Composure Calming Soft Chews
- Enriched with C3, L-theanine, and thiamine, which are proven to reduce anxiety and promote calmness
- Fast-acting—claims to start working within 30 minutes
- Available in various flavors to please fussy felines
Considerations & concerns
- Brewer's yeast, canola oil, and chicken liver flavor are the top three ingredients
- Feed your cat only 1 or 2 chews daily
- Some pet parents commented their cats didn't like these treats
What pet parents say about VetriScience Composure Calming Soft Chews
"One of my two cats loves the taste and I see that she is calmer when I give her two treats. The other cat won't eat the treat all the time. But when she does eat two of them she also seems to calm down and relax"
"This works wonders with my 10-year-old guy. He is very stressed when he hast to go to the vet or we have a lot of company. This does the trick every time and he is able to relax and enjoy…himself."
Read more reviews on Chewy.Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright VetriScience.
Marly & Dan Salmon Calming Cat Treats
Marly & Dan Salmon Calming Cat Treats soothe your cat's nerves with a mix of chamomile, valerian root, and L-tryptophan. Valerian root is considered a catnip alternative, and studies support claims it has a euphoric effect in some cats.
These calming treats offer additional nutritional support for cats. They include omega fatty acids, which support skin and coat health, and cranberry extract, which is high in antioxidants promoting urinary tract health.
Marly & Dan Calming Cat Treats
Why Wag! loves Marly & Dan Salmon Calming Cat Treats
- Contains chamomile, valerian root, and L-tryptophan, which can improve your cat's mood
- Supports skin, coat, and urinary health
- Made with natural ingredients—salmon pulp is the top ingredient
Considerations & concerns
Contains carrageenan, which is considered safe for cats by the FDA but could upset your feline's stomach
What pet parents say about Marly & Dan Salmon Calming Cat Treats
"My cat loves these and actually comes to "ask" for them at the same time every night now. He curls up in bed with me about an hour later, and that's all she wrote, folks! He is out for the night."
"He loves them, and he also has a history of UTI and urinary blockage so these treats are perfect for him!"
Read more reviews on Chewy.
Image sourced from Chewy. Copyright Marly & Dan.
FAQ
What are the side effects of calming treats for cats?
Will catnip calm a cat?
How many calming treats should I give my cat?
What happens if you give a cat too many calming treats?