Just like us, pets can experience stress and anxiety – changes in routine, fireworks, being left alone, and thunderstorms can all be unsettling. There are lots of ways we can help our pets feel safer and more secure, and calming products are one option to consider.
While calming products can be helpful, they often work best alongside positive training techniques, environmental management, and veterinary advice where needed. Finding the right calming product is often a matter of trial and error, as your pet might respond to one ingredient, but not others.
Sprays
Best for: On the go and in the moment calming, also useful when bonding rabbits
Recommendation: Pet Remedy Calming Spray is a great all-round calming option. It contains a blend of essential oils designed to promote relaxation in stressed or anxious pets. It can be used for dogs, cats, rabbits, and even horses.
Supplements
Best for: Anxiety support from the inside out
Recommendation: YuMOVE Calming Care Dog tablets contain lemon balm and a blend of natural fish protein hydrolysates to support your dog’s brain, helping calming signals find the right spot. Zylkene Calming Supplement contains a natural milk protein which can have calming effects for both cats and dogs. Unlike sprays, some supplements may need to be given consistently for several days or weeks before you notice their full effect.
Diffusers
Best for: Everyday calming at home
Recommendation: Adaptil Calm Home Diffuser can help your dog to stay calm and adapt to different situations at home. For cats, the Feliway Optimum diffuser has advanced pheromones to help reduce a wide range of signs of stress in many situations. Feliway also has a specific diffuser called Feliway Friends with a different blend of pheromones to help ease signs of conflict in multi-cat households.
Treats and Chews
Best for: A distraction for dogs, with a little calming boost
Recommendation: VeggieDent Zen Dental Chews can help to clean teeth and freshen breath, and they also contain green tea extract which has soothing properties. They may help provide a positive distraction during a stressful event while offering additional calming support.
Collars
Best for: Dogs that need consistent calming even when out and about
Recommendation: Adaptil Calm Collar for Dogs releases gentle, comforting pheromones and is designed for everyday wear. There is also an Adaptil Junior Collar for Dogs which can support your puppy as they discover the world and meet new people and other dogs.
Choosing the right product really depends on what is causing your pet to feel anxious or stressed, and when they need support the most. Remember, if a product doesn’t appear to be helping, even though you’ve given it enough time and are using it correctly, speak to your vet. You might need to try a different product or need some further advice. Stress in pets can be really detrimental to their health and wellbeing, and it can be difficult to manage as their owner, so it definitely should not be ignored. Visit our Pet Health Hub for more advice on stress in pets, signs of stress, and things you can do to help.
