Some kitties have a nervous temperament. They tend to get scared easily. When this happens, it is distressing for the owner to watch. It’s often difficult to calm them down.
Frightened cats also have the unfortunate habit of scratching furniture. For some reason, they tend to pick the most valuable pieces on which to sharpen their claws.
Spraying is another behavior often aggravated by stress. As much as we love our pets, this is something we don’t want to live with. Cat urine smells horrible, and it is very hard to remove, once an indoor territory is marked.
Common feline anxiety-provoking situations include thunderstorms, hearing a dog barking loudly outside or the introduction of another animal into the house. Highly nervous cats may even get upset when people outside the family come to visit.
Cat Coat for Cats
Putting a snug-fitting coat on your cat is a very simple remedy that might work. The coat shown below comes in three sizes, and fits around your kitty’s body, staying in place with Velcro straps. Its design makes it easy to put on a nervous cat. If you have a skittish kitty, this would probably be useful for visits to the vet. It’s available in small, medium and large.
&
Calm Spray for Cats
Feliway is an industry leader in sprays that mimic a cat’s natural calming pheromones. This product has been shown, in clinical research, to reduce the occurrence of urine spraying and unwanted scratching in 90 percent of cats. It’s believed these behaviors increase when cats feel threatened, or territorial.
&
Bach Rescue Remedy for Cats
Some cat owners like to keep Rescue Remedy on hand for when their pet is especially nervous. This formula, made for pets, is based upon the work of a British physician named Dr. Edward Bach. Although he was trained as a medical doctor, he spent much of his career developing a line of homeopathic remedies that bear his name. He believed that negative emotions could cause physical illness. So he worked to find various remedies to calm mental distress.
His most famous creation is Rescue Remedy, a blend of five flower essences designed to ease shock and trauma. It’s also used on animals. There is a special formula made just for cats and dogs, which you can see here.
&
Is It Bad To Use Essential Oils On a Cat?
Many people assume that because you can use certain essential oils on dogs, you can also use them on cats. However, nearly every animal healthcare expert warns against this. That’s because cats lack a certain liver enzyme. (This enzyme is needed to process the strong aromatic compounds.) So it’s believed the essential oils can build up in the body at potentially toxic levels. Even though you may see information to the contrary, it’s my personal opinion that it’s better to play it safe, and not use essential oils on a cat.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Please check with your own vet before using any natural remedy on a pet.
For Additional Reading
Can You Use Essential Oils on Cats?
Cat Sleeping Pods and Unusual Cat Beds