Fortunately, there are natural and holistic solutions for alleviating your cat's anxiety, such as calming herbs. Popular options for calming herbs for cats with cat anxiety are catnip, chamomile, hops, valerian root, lemon balm, skullcap, and California poppy (don't worry: it doesn't have any opiates).
Supplements, such as L-theanine, Zylkene (hydrolyzed milk protein), or other calming formulations for felines. Pheromone products like Feliway, which release calming cat scent signals. A Thundershirt or other body wrap, which provides comfort by mimicking swaddling. Herbal treatments such as Rescue Remedy for pets.
Valerian. This herb is said to mimic catnip, with one significant difference. After her initial crazy-fest, not only will she be very calm, she is also likely to sleep. This herb is also used for humans as a remedy for insomnia and has the same effect on felines.
But, while you may love lavender and use it regularly in the bath, you might wonder if it can give your cat the same types of benefits. Unfortunately, the lavender plant and essential oils are toxic to cats and can lead to severe symptoms.
Given that catnip can have a calming, soothing effect, it can be used to: help reduce a cat's stress and anxiety when going to the vet, help reduce stress when traveling, help with urinary issues (note that stress is a major contributing factor to urinary obstruction in cats!).
Valerian Root is not only safe for your cat but it can actually be beneficial! It aids in relieving stress and anxiety and helps to promote play and exercise for house cats who prefer to lay around all day. It also helps to promote a bond between pet parent and kitty.
When sniffed, it acts as a stimulant, often causing cats to become very playful, rolling over on the ground and generally being hyperactive. But when eaten, catnip acts as a sedative, sometimes causing cats to drool, purr, or fall asleep.
How Long Does It Take for Cats to Get High on Catnip? Cats begin to feel the effects of catnip within a few seconds. The duration of the effect is variable, but typically lasts around 10 minutes and rarely more than 15.
Try changing the cat's schedule gradually To manage night time activity cat owners can try to gradually alter the cat's schedule by encouraging play time and feeding during the daytime and earlier evening hours, so that the cat's schedule more closely matches that of the humans in the household.
If your cat has anxiety, you may notice pacing or restlessness, hiding, decreased appetite, vocalization, hypervigilance, trembling, salivation, and excessive grooming.
The symptoms of lavender poisoning are pretty much in line with what you'd expect with any kind of toxin: vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea and refusal to eat. Beyond those outward signs, cats may experience dizzy spells, nausea, a low heart rate or respiratory distress.
Chamomile has soothing and relaxing properties that help to calm anxiety and reduce 'stress', which in turn aids in good sleep. Your nervous and jittery feline can surely get some relief. Check with your vet to know the adequate amount of chamomile tea for your cat. Too much tea can be toxic and dangerous.
Peppermint oil, listed in some products as menthol, is toxic to cats when ingested or inhaled. Of note, some formulations (like wintergreen oil) may contain aspirin derivatives, making them even more dangerous for cats. Birds are also indicated for this toxicity.
Catnip doesn't have to be a daily thing. While we might be tempted to offer our feline friends a little nightcap at the end of each day, it may be best to hold back. While there's no general agreed-upon consensus on how much too much, try to limit your kitty's exposure to catnip to once a week.
The short answer is yes; catnip is safe for cats; this is especially true because they are typically just smelling it, which allows them to feel the effects. If your cat ingests too much of this plant, it may cause adverse reactions like an upset stomach and cause temporary nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Cats love catnip. And it's perfectly safe - there's nothing in it that can harm your cat. If by some chance your cat was to eat a large amount of catnip, it could cause a mild tummy upset, but that's not likely to happen.
Chamomile should be used cautiously in cats. Do not give more than prescribed as high doses may be toxic.
Yes, German chamomile as a tea is safe for both cats and dogs in small amounts and if given for a short period of time. High dosages can be toxic. The tincture, essential oil, and homeopathy product can be potentially toxic to cats so please use them under the guidance of your holistic vet.