One of the hardest parts of being a pet parent is finding a way to deal with a scared and anxious feline. Whether they are upset over a car ride, stressed about a vet appointment, or are not getting along with a new member of the household, a worked-up kitty can cause some big issues.

The crying, clawing, biting, and scratching can take its toll on your furniture and other possessions. Something that many people swear by, however, is a calming spray. This easy-to-use solution is an excellent option for keeping your furball calm and collected during an otherwise stressful situation.

Though using one is easy, finding the right calming spray for cats is difficult. That is why we have compiled a list of the nine best calming sprays for cats. We have reviewed the ingredients, scent, effectiveness, time frame, and much more. After the reviews, we have a buyer’s guide with more helpful tips.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favourites (Updated 2024)

The 8 Best Cat Calming Sprays

1. BestLife4Pets Calming Spray – Best Overall

Our first choice is the BestLife4Pets Calming Spray for cats. It is a 1-ounce bottle that comes in either a 2-pack or 3-pack. You can use this formula to calm your kitty during car rides, anxiety, or general stressful situations. It can also curb clawing, scratching, and biting on your furniture.

The BestLife4Pets is an all-natural botanical formula that uses cherry plum, rock rose, clematis, impatiens, and the star of Bethlehem to ease your cat into a state of zen-like calm. You can spray it on your cat’s crate, car seats, or furniture or rub it on your hands and put it directly on their fur. It is safe and non-addicting, as well.

BestLife4Pets comes in a leak-proof bottle, does not stain your furniture, and has a pleasant fragrance. Not only that, but it is formulated without harmful or artificial ingredients. Finally, the BestLife4Pets will take effect in as little as 15 minutes and last for hours. Overall, it’s the best calming spray this year.

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2. Nature’s Miracle Just for Cats Calming Spray – Best Value

If you are looking for a more affordable option for your stressed-out feline, Nature’s Miracle Just For Cats Calming Spray is a good option. This non-sedating formula will reduce your pet’s anxiety during car rides, vet appointments, and much more.

Nature’s Miracle is long-lasting and works within 20 minutes. The formula is made of herb, flower, and plant extracts such as lemongrass. You can spray it on all surfaces, such as your cat carrier, couch, and rugs, to keep your little one comfortable.

One drawback of this product, however, is it is not all-natural. It contains parabens and a few other artificial ingredients. Other than that, , Nature’s Miracle is the best cat calming spray for the money.

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3. Comfort Zone Cat Calming Spray – Premium Choice

The Comfort Zone Cat Calming Spray is ideal if you prefer a scentless spray. Although the formula is more expensive, it is drug and habit-forming-free. It is safe for all surfaces, pets, and humans and will not stain anything it is sprayed on.

The Comfort Zone replicates natural pheromones to calm your kitty. It also works to change your cat’s behavior in general over time. For example, you will see a calmer cat in a week and a change in their anxiety within 4 weeks.

As far as the short term, the Comfort Zone will help relax your cat in as little as 15 minutes, plus it will last up to 24 hours. What’s more, it will help with urine marking. The only drawback is that it’s more expensive than other brands. Otherwise, it’s perfect for those with fragrance sensitivities.

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4. bSerene Pheromone & Catnip Oil Calming Spray for Cats

Featuring calming pheromones with the beloved catnip oil, bSerene Calming Spray is available in a 2-ounce bottle that you can travel with for on-the-go anxiety needs. The first thing we want to point out about this formula is it is drug-free but has catnip in addition to the pheromones.

It can be sprayed on their sleeping space, crate, toys, and blankets to keep them calm. A pro tip is to use the same brand diffuser at home and on the go during car trips so your kitty will always feel “at home.”

The only downside of this product is that it is flammable, so it must be used cautiously and never near a fire source. It is also an eye irritant, so you must be careful to protect your eyes and your cat’s eyes during the application.

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5. Zen Kitty Aromatic Feline Calming

If you or your cat have sensitivities to oils, the Zen Kitty spray will be a winner for you. Made of hydrosols and flower essences in an alcohol and water base, the Zen Kitty Aromatic Feline Calming spray contains no essential oils that can irritant the skin and nose of you and your pet.

Using rose and Bulgarian Neroli, the Zen Kitty effectively calms and de-stresses your cat. You can use it on furniture, toys, and pet accessories. Not only that, but you can spray it directly on your feline if they compulsively clean or bite themselves during high-stress situations.

However, since it is alcohol-based, spraying it directly on your pet could cause their skin and fur to become dry. Not only that, but it can potentially stain furniture and fabrics, so spot testing is recommended. Moreover, the scent is not always a favorite among the feline population. Some kitties will not stay in the area if it is sprayed, making the calming effect useless.

To end on a bright note, however, this safe spray works quickly and will continue to be effective for several hours.

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6. Pet Organics No-Stress Spray

Pet Organics is an all-natural formula based on synthetic pheromones. It simulates calming pheromones like those a mother cat secretes to calm her kittens. It sends a chemical signal to their brain, letting them know there is nothing to fear.

Pet Organics is made with a mild rosemary and clove formula. The scent is mild but ineffective at calming down the more anxious pets. If your cat is overly fearful, this may not be the best option. Also, it can take a considerable amount of time for the scent to take effect.

On the other hand, the formula is safe to spray on all surfaces. The only drawback is it needs to be reapplied often. Finally, be aware that some cats do not like the scent and will not remain in the same space with it.

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7. SENTRY GOOD Behavior Calming Spray

Our ninth choice is the SENTRY GOOD Behavior Calming Spray. This lavender and chamomile formula can be used on furniture, cat carries, blankets, and other items. It uses pheromone technology to relieve stress due to car rides, dogs, and other anxiety-prone situations.

Unfortunately, the SENTRY GOOD spray requires several applications before it is effective. Also, because it comes in a 1-fluid-ounce bottle, you must repurchase it frequently. Most importantly, however, the SENTRY is less effective at reducing stress in your kitty.

Another factor you want to consider is the scent. It is not only very strong, but many animals do not appreciate it and will not stay in the same area. Also, the formula can stain most surfaces that are not easily wiped down. We recommend that you avoid using it on fabrics, rugs, couches, etc. Finally, the spray bottle becomes clogged and will not spray.

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8. Pet MasterMind Cat Spray

Our final choice is the Pet MasterMind Cat Spray. It is a herbal formula that comes in a 10.4-ounce bottle. It uses a blend of pheromones, jasmine, and passionflower to calm your pet. Unfortunately, the minimal effect of the spray takes a long time to work and will only last for about 30 minutes at the longest.

You should also note that the spray’s scent is not pleasant. It smells close to flowery cat pee and is unpleasant to spray on furniture. Also, beware that this formula will stain your fabrics and rugs. What’s worse is that it leaves a film on stone, plastic, and wood surfaces.

The Pet MasterMind is sourced in Canada and the USA. Although safe and natural, it requires a lot of product before you see minimal results. Also, like our last selection, the spray portion of the bottle becomes clogged quickly, and you will not be able to spray it. Overall, Pet Mastermind is our least favorite option for a calming spray for your cat.

Buyer’s Guide: Choose the Best Cat Calming Spray

Important Facts About Cat Calming Sprays

There is a lot of misinformation about what is healthy for your pet and what is not. When it comes to calming sprays, collars, and diffusers, some are questionable due to their ingredients. Some scents are harmful to your pet in their raw form yet perfectly safe in a diffused essential oil formula.

First, there are a few ways the calming sprays are formulated. They can be done with essential oils, essences, or pheromones.

Regardless of which calming spray type you choose, we want to ensure your cat is calmer and safe. Inhaling toxic ingredients can cause your feline to have a runny nose, cough, watery eyes, vomiting, burning nose and throat, and difficulty breathing. If you notice these signs, move your pet to fresh air right away. If the signs do not immediately clear up, call for assistance ASAP.

Here are some ingredients you should stay away from when looking for a calming product:

Shopping Tips

There are several reasons why you would need a calming spray for your cat. For example, some felines are naturally skittish and benefit from regular exposure to relaxing ingredients and scents. On the other hand, some pets only need help when going for a car ride, a vet visit, or when you might be introducing a new member of the family.

Either way, cats in distress can cry consistently, scratch, urinate, bite, and otherwise cause havoc in your household. For that reason, when you pick out a calming spray, you want to consider your kitty’s temperament and personality. Here are a few things to look at first:

• See also: How to Calm a Scared Kitten (7 Proven Methods)

Conclusion

Nothing is more stressful for us than having a cute kitty that is anxious, scared, and upset. Being able to calm and comfort them is important to ensure everyone’s well-being. We hope the reviews above have helped you determine which spray is ideal for your cat. Picking out a single product can be tough, but a zen-like cat is priceless.

In our opinion, the BestLife4Pets Calming Spray is the best available option. It is effective, long-lasting, and works quickly. If you need a more affordable option, Nature’s MiracleJust For Cats Calming Spray will keep your kitty relaxed at a lower price tag.

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Featured Image Credit: Olha Povozniuk, Shutterstock