Cats are intelligent, cute and adorably playful and it’s no wonder they are one of the most popular pets in the United States – about 88 million kitties are currently Americans’ pets, compared to 74 million dogs. But just like humans and other creatures, cats can become stressed or scared sometimes by a lot of factors, such as vet trips, guests, new pets, or other things that can shake their peace.

So, in this case, you have to pay attention to their behavior and notice the strange signs that may indicate that your cat is stressed and try to solve the problem. “As prey animals, cats are masters of disguise,” said Dilara Goksel Parry, a certified cat behavior consultant with the San Francisco-based company Feline Minds. “People need to be able to take in all the information the cat is giving them with their expressions and body language — the tension in the body, the size of the pupils, the movement and direction of the ears, vocalizations, and so on.”

Once you find out that your cat is stressed and anxious, you have to calm them down, because otherwise, stress could lead to other serious problems that could adversely affect their health. So, here are some helpful tips on how to calm your cats and make them happy again!

Pay attention to their preferences

One of the biggest mistakes that new pet parents make when adopting a cat is to place their essentials in a room where they don’t feel comfortable – and unfortunately, it can be a pretty serious stressor for your cat. 

For instance, if you place your cat litter box in the bathroom or food in the kitchen, but they will feel more comfortable to eat and defecate in another room, then you have to make a sacrifice for your beloved furry friend.

Otherwise, not only will your cat be stressed and anxious, but it will also avoid eating the amount of food needed, and hesitate to defecate in its litter box. “Taking care of their basic needs in a cat-centric manner,” Parry says. You have to do what’s best for your cat. 

“Give cats things that they need in the places where they feel most comfortable,” Johnson says. “So that means that if your cat pretty much lives in your master bedroom, and they love to be in there but they’re too scared to come out, don’t put their cat litter box in the basement and their cat food in the kitchen.”

So, try to make your cat feel comfortable in your house and be a good pet parent. You need to be aware of the potential stressors of your cats and solve the problem before they get anxious and stressed. 

Try to put on soft music

Many people say that their beloved cats are sensitive to certain noises that make them anxious and stressed, such as construction, a baby crying, traffic, or other weather noises. So, in this case, you have to replace that annoying sound with another calmer alternative, such as pleasant white noise or music, and pay attention to the reaction of your cat. 

“There has not been much research on music or sounds with regards to calming a cat, but one can try soft classical music or pleasant ‘white noise’ and observe for how the cat responds,” Parry says. “At the least, it may reduce the impact of the ‘scary’ noises by creating a buffer.”

If you do a little research, you will find some interesting songs for cats that have a calming effect and were created especially by scientists at the University of Wisconsin. It is also said that cats enjoy music with purring, chirping, and kitty noises.

Think like a cat

When calming a cat, people tend to treat them the way they do with humans, but you have to think like a cat and be there for them only physically without kisses, cuddles, hugs, and petting. 

“People tend to think of what humans may like when they are stressed, instead of thinking like a cat,” Parry says. “This is probably the most common mistake we see… that guardians rush up and try to pet or pick up a highly aroused or stressed cat.” According to Ingrid Johnson, a certified cat behavioral consultant with the Georgia-based Fundamentally Feline, “it can take cats hours to come down from a heightened, aroused state.” So, try to give them space when they are stressed, but be there for them. 

If your cat is friendly and affectionate, you can talk or sing to them. Also, if your cat seeks your attention and shows that it wants to be petted then give it affection. “Cats may respond positively to the presence of someone they know and trust,” Parry says. “Just talking to them or even singing to them can be helpful.”

Spend time and play with your cat

Before adopting a cat as a pet, it’s important to understand that they will need your time and affection, so you have to spend a lot of time and play with them regularly. In this way, not only do you create a strong bond with your beloved furry friend, but you help them reduce chronic stress as well. Remember that playing and cuddling with your cat can be a valuable tool that works just in the case of cats suffering from chronic stress, being a long-term activity.

 To be more specific, these activities should not take place when the cat is in a highly aroused state for various reasons because they can accentuate their condition. When your cat is nervous, give them space. 

“Play decreases stress in cats and can increase their confidence in places previously associated with fear,” Johnson says. 

Nevertheless, if you spend enough time with your beloved pets, they will be less likely to develop frequent episodes of stress. Sometimes, you are the person who can significantly influence the health condition of your cat.

Allow them to spread their scent

Another important thing that you have to take into consideration when adopting a cat as a pet is that these creatures like to spread their scent in their favorite places when they are happy and comfortable. “Cats do a lot of things to comfort themselves, like leaving their scent around with their facial rubbing, and their scent marking on their paws,” Johnson explains.

That being said, when you notice that your cat is stressed, all you have to do is to allow them to leave their scent in their favorite places and give them access to those places when they are stressed. You can also opt for scratching posts, but place them in your cat’s favorite spot. “It brings them comfort to be able to send messages around,” said Johnson. 

Moreover, if your cat is stressed because of the carrier or the vet trip (or other unfamiliar things), you can take with you an object that contains its scent and is also familiar to your cat, as this is the best solution to calm them down in a specific stressful situation.

Find the stressors

Sometimes, treating your cat with meds or opting for various calming methods is not enough, because you have to find and reduce the root of the problem. 

“It’s not enough to treat the symptom, as it were,” Parry says. “Knowing what triggers the fear allows you to build a plan to help the cat feel safe.”

So, all you have to do is to watch your cat’s behavior carefully and consider if you see something strange in their behavior, then try to find out why they act in a certain way. Moreover, don’t try to skip regular vet visits, as they are very important when you own a pet, and he or she can help you figure out the stressors. 

“If any of their essential needs and resources are out of whack, you could have a chronically stressed cat,” Parry says.

Pay attention to open spaces

There is a well-known fact that cats are afraid of open spaces. As you already know, felines feel comfortable only in a small and cozy spot where they don’t feel exposed and vulnerable – that’s why they prefer to hide in boxes. “Some cats are more bush-dwellers, so they like to stay hidden and under things, [other] cats gain a lot of comfort and solace in being up high,” said Johnson. 

So, if you want to solve this problem, you should opt for a cat tree that allows them to climb and walk when they feel it and a narrow space to hide, such as cat houses. “Always give cats a way out of a situation, an escape route, vertical or otherwise,” Parry said.

When you take your cat to the vet, make sure that you cover their carrier with a blanket or towel. “For most cats, covering up the carrier and blocking any extra stimuli is helpful,” Parry says. 

Some cats are afraid of carriers and it can lead to stress and anxiety. In this case, you have to train your cat so that it will see the carrier in a positive way. “I liken it to training a dog to walk on a leash,” Parry says. “We wouldn’t want a dog guardian to skip this step, and acclimating a cat to the carrier should be an early focus for the cat guardian.”

Ask your vet for anti-anxiety meds

As in the case of humans, cats can develop some health problems because of untreated episodes of stress and anxiety – so, as you probably know – severe sequences of stress should only be treated with specific meds or supplements. So, ask your vet for anti-anxiety meds that are right for your cat breed. Some cat products contain L-theanine – a substance that is also found in green tea and helps treat anxiety, having a calming effect. Anyway, you have to talk to your vet before taking this step! 

“If you have an anxious cat and the usual methods are not helping, then it is wise to consult a professional about this,” Parry says. “In some cases, short – or long – term anxiety medications can be very helpful,” she says.

Your veterinarian is the only one who can decide what kind of treatment is recommended for the health condition of your cat. So, don’t hesitate to ask for help if needed and don’t neglect his or her suggestions. 

Don’t rush the accommodation process

If your cat is stressed because of your guests, all you have to do is to keep your pet in another room until the guests leave. “If it is a short-term stressor — such as your friend coming over for the afternoon and bringing her dog, or a day-long home project — don’t even bother with trying to get the cat used to it,” said Parry. 

But, if you want to introduce a new family member in your household – whether we are talking about a new pet or baby – you have to take things slowly. “Take it slowly and introduce them one sense at a time,” said Johnson. 

If you rush the accommodation process, you will make a big cat parenting mistake. “People think they can get the cat used to the scary thing by exposure, but desensitization by definition has to be done very gradually, and over days, weeks, or months to be effective,” explained Parry. 

You can opt for essential oils to calm your cat

Even though it may sound crazy, it actually works! Just like humans, cats can calm down when they smell something that has a calming effect. Thus, you can opt for natural scents, such as essential oils that work as a real oasis of relaxation for your cat. According to animal experts, you can choose scents such as honeysuckle and lavender. 

“At the vet practice, when we have an aggressive cat in the exam room, we’ll put a couple of drops of lavender oil on a paper towel, so it’s just airing in the exam room,” Johnson said. Remember that it is very important to keep these essential oils away from your cat, as direct contact can adversely affect their health. In addition, all you have to do is to use these natural essential oils just to enhance the air in your room.