Do you wanna know the most effective herbs for cat anxiety that every cat parent should know about? Here are the tried and true natural herbs that will not only change your cat’s life, but yours as well.
Photo by: Viktoria Sapata
Having a scared and anxious kitty can be extremely distressing on any kitty cat parent. If you are anything like me, you are doing all the research you can to help your furry bundle of joy. As a cat parent myself, it is important to me to help my cats as naturally as possible in order to limit their little bodies from any chemicals or side effects.
Here we will be discussing 5 wonderful calming cat herbs that will help your little scaredy cat gently and naturally.You are going to learn all about these 5 calming cat herbs and will feel more confident and in control of the circumstances of what is going on with kitty.This post is all about these 5 calming cat herbs that every cat parent should know about.I have found that cats respond beautifully to herbal remedies, especially for calming. They are ideal because they are mild and will not knock your cat out or make them feel hungover like tranquilizing medications.
As a side note, our animals are energy sponges, whatever you are dealing with, they are dealing with. This is a good time to look inward to see how you have been feeling. Remember, when you are calm and relaxed it will inspire your cat to be as well. Therefore, it’s not a bad idea to take the same herbs as you are planning on giving to your cat. Note: Please consult with a holistic veterinarian or herbalist if your cat is currently on any medication to be sure there aren’t any interactions.
5 Calming Cat Herbs
1. Catnip (Nepeta Cataria)
As a cat owner, I am sure you have heard of this plant. Most cats love this herb and even though it may excite them initially, there is a calm that progresses. Keep in mind that for some cats(approximately 20%), catnip doesn’t do anything for them, but don’t get your whiskers in a bunch, we have a wonderful alternative below.
Catnip is great for anxious cats with nervous stomachs, especially if vomiting is caused by stressful events, this is a good choice.Before a car ride, a trip to the veterinarian or any other kind of stressful event: Give 15-20 minutes before. You can sprinkle some on a towel or blanket, be sure to rub the catnip between your fingers as you sprinkle to release the aroma for kitty. You can repeat this every 2-3 hours before the stressful event. However, limit this dosage to stressful times only, cats can become desensitized to catnip if given too frequently. It’s a good idea to give your cat another sprinkle after the stressful event.
As for tinctures, 6-10 drops can be given for every 10 pounds of an animal’s weight. Again, administered about 20 minutes prior to stressful event.For prolonged period of stress such as traveling, add 12 drops per 8 ounces of their drinking water. Alternatively, you can drop a couple fresh leaves in their water bowl.For calming your cat on a day to day basis:You can give your cat some catnip a couple times a week as a treat or when he/she seems more anxious. Such as, when there is a visitor, fireworks, night cries, or just before you leave for the day (separation anxiety).Catnip tea or tinctures are other ways to give kitty this marvelous herb.
Caution: Catnip is safe if used sparingly with pregnant cats.
2. Valerian (Valeriana Officinalis)
Now, I haven’t forgotten about you kitties who are opposed to catnip. Valerian is considered to bethe other catnip. Though very effective, this herb has a very strong smell that most people are not fans of. However, this powerful herbs makes it worth it, take it from someone who uses it personally…me!
It is known to decrease tension, hysteria, anxiety, and over excitement. You can sprinkle a tiny bit of this herb in kitty’s food or sprinkle some on their blanket. As a glycerin based tincture, 1-3 drops can be administered to cats two or three times a day over a period of several days prior to a high anxiety event. Valerian overall works well in small doses several times a day over a period of several days.
Caution: There is a small percentage of animals and humans that have the opposite effects of valerian-acting as a stimulant rather than a sedative. It can cause upset stomach in large doses.
Not recommended for pregnant cats, but other than that this herb is safe.
3. Chamomile (Anthemis nobilis: Matricaria recutita)
This herb has a sedative effect that helps with sleep and a nervous belly. Chamomile is the go to herb everyone thinks of to soothe that is great for all anxiety related problems. It is considered to be one of the tastiest calming herbs, making it a good first try remedy.
So any event that will cause kitty to have a nervous belly due to stress, chamomile is your go to herb. You can try making chamomile tea which they might like, or sprinkle the herb in their food. Tinctures are also available, but be sure that all tinctures for pets are alcohol free. It can be given in small doses of 0.25-0.50 milliliters per 20 pounds of weight, two times per day or as needed to calm them. Tinctures can be given directly into the mouth, in their water or food. You can also diffuse a pure chamomile essential oil for them to inhale.
Caution:No doubt, chamomile is one of the safest herbs on this planet, but some humans and animals are very allergic to this plant. Be sure to check for any sensitivity prior to feeding your ca tthis herb. You can apply a small bit to your cat’s skin to see if there’s a reaction. Once that has been ruled out, start with a drop or tiny sprinkle orally to see how kitty responds. Limit use of this herb for pregnant cats, it can inhibit fetus growth in some animals.*Note* Any allergy is an alarm from the body that the gut needs attention.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
For cats that need help with howling, crying, pacing, lavender’s sedative effects are very powerful for these types of concerns. If you are using an essential oil, it is extremely important that you use a pure form of lavender essential oil without anything synthetic in them.You only need a drop here and there, so a little goes a long way. You can place a few drops in a diffuser, allow them to take a sniff of the open bottle, put some drops in a spray bottle with a bit of vodka to spray in the room or in the car before their car ride, or a drop on a cotton ball can work as well. You can also use the dried herb to make some tea to add to their food but only from time to time. Too much ingested lavender can be hard on the liver and kidneys.
5. Oat (Avena sativa)
Yes, you read it correctly, oats! Oat is a very powerful herb, it is not only great for supporting,it even strengthens the nervous system overall. It’s great for debilitated and aging kitties which also helps with mental lethargy.
Cooked oatmeal can be added to their food daily or a few times a week. Another option is to grow or get an oat grass plant for them to munch on. You can let them graze or you can snip some off and add it to their food. Organic oat straw tea is also another option to add to kitty’s food. Dried oat straw brews nicely into a tea which can be poured over your cats food. Infuse a teaspoon of oat straw in 8 ounces of hot water.
Feed 1 ounce of cooled tea daily for cats. There are also glycerin tinctures available that you can go for as an alternative. 1/4-1/2 a teaspoon for every 20 pounds of weight. If your cat loves baths, you can boil some oats and add it to their bath water to create a very calming experience. Oat also comes in capsule form or tinctures as well that you can add to their food.
Caution: Too much oat straw can cause vomiting or over-excitement, if this occurs, reduce the dosage you’re giving kitty.
These are the 5 calming cat herbs that will be life changing for you and your cat baby. Nature is filled with natural alternatives for your bundle of fur, no chemicals, no side effects. These herbs are gentle yet effective. Remember to only purchase your herbs and oils from a high quality company to ensure you get potent, powerful and safe herbs and essential oils.
Let us know how these holistic options worked for you in the comment section below!