Introduction
Cats have an incredibly sensitive sense of smell that they rely on for essential functions like finding food, detecting threats, communicating with other cats, and more. A cat’s sense of smell is much stronger than humans – some estimate it’s 14 times better than ours. Since smell plays such a crucial role in a cat’s perception of its environment, certain scents can have a big impact on a cat’s mood and stress levels.
Some scents are very calming and soothing for cats. Identifying these types of scents and using them appropriately can help relieve anxiety, improve mood, and create a more relaxing environment for our feline friends. This is important because chronic stress can negatively impact a cat’s health and quality of life. By providing calming scents, cat owners can help reduce stress and promote their cat’s wellbeing.
Lavender
Lavender has long been known for its calming effects on humans. Some studies and anecdotal reports suggest that lavender may have a similar soothing effect on cats. The scent of lavender comes from the oil found in the lavender plant. When diffused into the air or applied diluted on bedding or toys, some cats may find the floral smell relaxing.
According to one source, lavender has been shown to reduce signs of stress in cats like restlessness, vocalization, and hiding. The aroma may help promote relaxation and sleep. However, effects can vary between individual cats. Some cats appear unaffected or even agitated by lavender. It’s recommended to monitor your cat’s reaction closely when first introducing lavender.
While the scent of lavender may be calming for some felines, ingestion of the essential oil can be toxic to cats. It’s important to use lavender safely and avoid letting cats ingest products containing concentrated lavender oil. Proper dilution and air diffusion are advised. Overall, lavender’s soothing properties show promise for some cats but should be approached with care.
Catnip
Catnip is a type of herb from the mint family that is commonly used for its calming effects on cats (1). The active ingredient in catnip that causes this reaction is called nepetalactone. When cats smell or eat catnip, the nepetalactone binds to receptors in their brain that have a sedative-like effect (2). This causes most cats to become temporarily mellow and relaxed. Some signs that catnip is having a calming effect include purring, less aggression, and overall happier demeanor. The effects of catnip on cats generally last between 5-15 minutes before wearing off.
For many cats, catnip can be an effective way to help them relax and destress. The soothing nature of catnip may make cats less anxious or overstimulated. Catnip is generally considered safe for cats when given occasionally and in moderation. However, some cats may become overexcited or hyperactive after exposure to catnip. It’s best to monitor your cat’s individual reaction.
Overall, catnip is a natural calming option for many cats that can promote relaxation without sedating side effects. It should be provided safely and not overused. Pay attention to how your specific cat responds to determine if catnip is helpful for your feline friend.
Chamomile
Chamomile is a flowering herb that has a sweet, aromatic scent that can have a calming effect on cats. When inhaled, the oils in chamomile bind to receptors in a cat’s nose, sending calming signals to the brain. Research has shown chamomile can help relieve mild distress and anxiety in cats by having a soothing effect on their nervous system (Chamomile – VCA Animal Hospitals).
The aroma from chamomile can help relax cats when they are stressed or anxious. Burning chamomile incense or essential oils, or providing dried chamomile flowers for your cat to sniff, can help soothe your cat when they are feeling on edge. Just the soothing smell of chamomile has the power to calm a cat. However, ingesting chamomile can cause side effects in cats, so it’s best used solely for its calming aroma (Chamomile for Cats: Is It Safe? – Great Pet Care).
Valerian
Valerian is an herb that has been used as a sedative and anxiety reliever for humans. It has also been found to have calming effects on cats. According to this article from Scrumbles, “Valerian contains substances called valepotriates which have calming and sedative properties. When cats ingest valerian, these compounds are absorbed into the bloodstream where they attach to receptors in the brain that regulate anxiety.”
Valerian can be given to cats in several forms. As this article on CatHealth.com explains, “Valerian root can be purchased in capsule form, as a tincture, or as a tea. It can also be found in some calming treats or chews formulated for cats and dogs.” When using valerian for cats, it’s important to only use organic, high-quality supplements meant for animal consumption and to follow dosing guidelines.
Some key benefits of valerian for cats according to Meowy Janes include: “Aids in relieving stress and anxiety, Helps cats relax, Promotes restful sleep, Encourages play and exercise in anxious cats.” Overall, when used properly, valerian can be an excellent natural way to help calm anxious or stressed out cats.
Feliway
Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone produced by cats as a calming signal to each other. Feliway diffusers release a synthetic version of this pheromone that helps relieve stress and provide comfort to cats. The Feliway brand offers several different products:
Feliway Classic Diffuser – This is the original Feliway plug-in diffuser that covers an area up to 700 square feet. It provides a constant release of the synthetic pheromone to help reduce stress-related behaviors like urine marking, scratching furniture, hiding, and aggressiveness.
Feliway Optimum Diffuser – This diffuser has an updated formula that is 50% more concentrated and covers an area up to 950 square feet. It helps reduce stress from changes in the home environment.
Feliway Multicat Diffuser – This diffuser is formulated specifically for multi-cat households to help reduce tension and conflict between cats who share territory.
Feliway Spray – This spray can be applied directly to objects like cat carriers, scratching posts, or bedding. It provides targeted calming where it’s applied.
Overall, Feliway products provide constant “happy signals” to help cats feel calm and secure in their environment. The pheromones have a clinically proven calming effect and can reduce stress-related behaviors.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be calming for cats when used properly, but many essential oils are toxic to cats and can cause liver damage or neurological problems.[1] Essential oils that are generally considered safe for cats in small amounts include lavender, Roman chamomile, frankincense, helichrysum, and valerian. However, it’s important to dilute any essential oil before diffusing it around cats.[2]
The best practices for using essential oils around cats are:[3]
- Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before use. Use 1-2 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier oil.
- Never apply undiluted essential oils directly onto a cat’s coat or skin.
- When diffusing essential oils, make sure your cat can leave the room if they don’t like the scent.
- Monitor your cat for signs of respiratory distress like coughing or wheezing when diffusing oils.
- Use water-based diffusers instead of nebulizers which put more concentrated oil into the air.
- Limit diffusion time to 1-2 hours per day.
- Keep diffusers out of reach of cats to prevent ingestion.
While some essential oils can have a calming effect, always exercise caution and monitor your cat closely when using them.
Cat Calming Treats
There are a variety of commercial cat calming treats and supplements that can help reduce anxiety in cats. These products often contain ingredients like tryptophan, L-theanine, chamomile, ginger, valerian root, and hemp that promote relaxation. Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps produce serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with calmness and happiness. L-theanine is also an amino acid found in green tea that has a calming effect. Herbs like chamomile, ginger, and valerian root have natural sedative properties that can ease anxiety.
Some popular calming treat brands for cats include Zylkene, Pet Naturals of Vermont Calming Chews, Purina Pro Plan Calming Care Probiotic Supplement, and VetriScience Composure. These are available as soft chews or capsules and are often formulated specifically for stress relief during events like thunderstorms, travel, vet visits, or separation anxiety. The calming effects may take 30-60 minutes to start working. It’s recommended to give cats the treats 30-60 minutes before a stressful situation. Always follow package instructions and consult your veterinarian before use.
Environmental Changes
Making some simple changes to your cat’s environment can help create a calming atmosphere. Here are some tips for creating a stress-free space:
Provide places for your cat to climb, scratch, and perch, like cat trees, scratching posts, and high shelves. Cats feel more secure when they can observe their surroundings from above (Creating a calming environment for your cat in six steps – Wamiz).
Make sure your cat has access to hiding spots like cardboard boxes, igloo bedding, and covered cat beds. Shy cats need places to retreat (10 Tips for Creating a Stress-Free Environment for Your Cat).
Keep their food, water, and litter boxes in quiet areas away from noisy appliances. Cats prefer to eat and relieve themselves in peace.
Use pheromone diffusers like Feliway to help relieve stress. These artificial pheromones mimic cat face pheromones to promote calmness.
Make sure your cat has access to sunny windows, bird feeders, or aquariums so they have interesting sights to watch. Bored cats can get anxious.
Keep playtime interactive using wand toys, laser pointers, and treats. A regular play schedule prevents restlessness.
Conclusion
In summary, the most effective calming scents for cats seem to be lavender, catnip, chamomile, and Feliway. Lavender has long been known for its soothing properties, and the smell of lavender oil or a lavender plant can have a relaxing effect on cats. Catnip is famous for making cats mellow and happy. Chamomile and valerian can also have mild sedative effects. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product that mimics feline facial pheromones to help reduce stress and anxiety. While other scents like essential oils can help, these four scents appear to have the most evidence behind their calming abilities for cats. Using calming scents can promote a more relaxed environment and happier state of mind for your feline friend.