The best pet calming products for anxious animals

If your cat or dog is an anxious animal, there are plenty of calming products on the market that will ease their nerves so you can relax with them, too. Your pet will likely have a safe space that they will retreat to when under threat, normally their dog or cat bed, or even on the sofa, and every pet will have different things that make them nervous. Some may be frightened of loud noises and bangs, such as fireworks. Others may get stressed about being left on their own. You may even have a pet that gets worked up about travelling. Whatever their triggers, there are many pet products out there that are designed to lessen their symptoms.

With more people working from home during the week than ever before, it's becoming rare for many pet parents to leave their dogs or cats at home and for them to be a little more anxious when it comes to loud noises and different people in the house. Phobias, illnesses and injuries can also cause your pet to show signs of being nervous and stressed. Signs include being lethargic, trembling, a reduced appetite and many more. You can find more information about how to spot if your pet is anxious in our FAQs section at the bottom of this article.

Best pet calming products at a glance

• Best pet calming plug-in: ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser with 30 Day Refill - View now on Amazon UK
• Best non-herbal calming collar: ADAPTIL Calm On-the-Go Collar - View now on Amazon UK
• Best calming spot-on treatment: Beaphar Calming Spot-On - View now on Amazon UK

Nobody wants to see their beloved companion anxious or scared, and while we can't cure their fear like we'd want to, we can invest in remedies to help. Pet calming products like calming plug-in diffusers, pet supplements, sprays and anti-anxiety beds can all help.

We've searched the web for highly rated and positively reviewed pet calming products that are designed to help with separation anxiety, aggression, stress while travelling and more, so every possibility is covered. All to help your anxious animal feel happier.

Always consult a vet before undertaking any pet treatments.

Best pet calming products

You can find more of these types of beds in our anti-anxiety dog bed round-up.

FAQs

How do I know if my pet is anxious?

If you’re reading this, you’re probably looking at some of the signs of anxiety in pets and how they act when they’re feeling stressed. Some situations including separation, phobias, and illness or injury can be common causes of anxiety in cats and dogs. To make it extra clear, here are some signs of stress and anxiety in pets:

• Trembling
• Hiding
• Trying to escape
• Tucking their tail between their legs
• Being lethargic
• Panting
• Pacing
• Seeking comfort and affection
• Barking and howling excessively
• Destructive tendencies
• Decreased appetite
• Digestive issues

What to do if your pet is anxious

It can be overwhelming to think that your pet has anxiety, but it can be common in rescue pets or those going through stressful situations. In any situation, if you suspect your pet has anxiety, you should always contact your vet. They can help suggest a course of action and find out the trigger.

If you’ve already contacted your vet and are now looking at how you can take action at home, here is our choice of popular and useful options. You'll find pet calming products such as dog calming beds and plug-ins, plus cat calming products like compression shirts and supplements.

How to treat separation anxiety in dogs

Consulting with animal behaviourist Bryony Cole from Eye to Eye dogs, you can find a guide for owners on how to avoid separation anxiety in their dogs as well as using pet calming products. For a run-down of the top tips we’ve found, here are our highlights below so that you know what to do as you head back to the office.

Five tips to prepare a dog to be left alone:

1. Test runs

Make sure you have tested out with trial runs leaving home, so that your dog won’t feel as stressed when you adjust back to office work. These runs are recommended by going through a typical morning routine, leaving them for five minutes and then building the duration of the separation up.

2. A brisk walk

If your dog struggles with any excess energy, take your dog for a brisk walk before leaving for work in the morning so any extra alertness is taken off. This puts them in the mood to relax. A 45-minute walk is what's recommended for most breeds if they’re being left indoors for a longer period of time.

3. Find a trusted dog walker to break up the day

Too intense? You can find a trusted family member, professional dog walker or someone close to you to check on your dog during the day. This also gives the opportunity to get some fresh air, exercise and relieve themselves.

Ideally, a dog must not be left alone for longer than six hours, and that’s two hours for puppies. If a dog walker isn’t in your budget, you can use sites like Borrow My Doggy to connect dog lovers with families whose pet needs attention or walking.

4. Rotate toys

If you change up your dogs' toys every day, it will reduce the chances of them getting bored. Give them different toys to play with every day and this may give them a different experience.

5. Put your dog into a separate room while WFH

If your dog is used to being by your side, this may be a cause for their separation anxiety. While you’re still working from home, spend some time with your dog in a different room to test how they’ll behave separately. This will give you a chance to see how your dog behaves while building up its tolerance for isolation. Just like the trial runs, increase your time slowly.

Advice for helping pets who are anxious about fireworks

Why are our pets scared of fireworks?

According to RSPCA, it is estimated that 45 per cent of dogs in the UK display nervousness or fear when they hear fireworks. However, there are many simple ways you can help your pet cope with the loud noises on Bonfire Night. If you do a little preparation before the fireworks begin your pet will be less scared. Here is an infographic from RSPCA which displays some useful information about fireworks and pets.

Pets At Home expert's top tips for keeping your dog calm during fireworks:

Dr Karlien Heyrman, Head of Pets at Pets at Home, said**:** “Bonfire Night can be a really uneasy time for our pets, leaving them feeling stressed and anxious – especially those who are naturally more nervous.

“It’s never nice to see your pet upset but thankfully there are some easy steps you can take – in advance and on the night – to help keep them relaxed. It’s also important for you, as an owner, to remain calm and to not soothe them too much as pets can sense any changes in our behaviour which can make them feel more anxious.”

To help pet owners prepare, experts at Pets at Home have shared their top tips on how to keep your furry friends calm and at ease this firework season

Know the signs of an anxious pet

All pets are different and it’s important that you’re able to recognise what anxiety looks like for yours.

Common signs of fear to look out for include pacing and panting in dogs, hiding and hissing in cats and stamping or a change of appetite in rabbits.

For most pets, a fearful state usually starts with a watchful phase where they will be unusually alert. If you spot your pet acting this way, it’s best to wait until they’ve started to calm down before you give them affection or distract them with a game. There’s the risk that you could be accidentally rewarding them for being scared if you step in too soon.

Create a quiet and safe space

One of the best things you can do to ease your pet’s anxiety is to make sure they have a quiet space away from the loud bangs and bright lights.

Create their haven in advance of firework season by using familiar toys and lots of bedding for them to burrow in, including pieces of clothing with your scent so that they’re comforted by the smell. You can then use treats and rewards to build positive associations with the area so it’s somewhere they feel happy and safe. It’s also best to leave some treats there for them to chew on.

During firework displays, you should try to muffle the sound and hide the flashing lights as best you can by keeping windows, blinds and curtains closed. You can also try turning on the TV or playing rhythmic music moderately loud using Pets at Home’s Spotify playlists, which have a range of genres to choose from.

For rabbits and guinea pigs, it’s best to not bring them inside if they’re not used to it – this could make them more anxious. You should provide them with lots of bedding to hide in and partly cover the hutch in blankets to help muffle the noise. Both pets are sociable animals so should live in pairs or groups of their own kind to be happy, healthy and feel safe in the long term.

Try pet calming products

While treats and toys may be enough to distract and calm some pets, for more anxious dogs cats, and small animals you may have to explore alternative methods such as anti-anxiety products. These should ideally be introduced at least two weeks before Bonfire Night to allow your pet the chance to get used to them.

Thundershirts are anxiety jackets that apply mild but constant pressure to soothe distressed pets in a non-intrusive way. It’s best to introduce your pet to these by wearing them for short intervals at a time in the run up to Bonfire Night.

Pet owners can also try pheromone products such as a plug-in diffuser which replicates natural chemicals released by animals to send a comforting message. For dogs, they will replicate those released by their mother after giving birth to relax their offspring and let them know they are in a safe space.

For pets who experience severe noise phobia and anxiety, there are different supplements or tablets which can help but it’s always best to seek advice from an expert – either by booking an appointment with your local vet or speaking to the pet care advisors in-store at Pets at Home.

Start creating positive associations

It’s possible to help your pet change their behaviour and reduce their fear of loud noises but this takes time – often up to a few months ahead of Bonfire Night.

You can use recordings to gradually expose your cat or dog to very low levels of noise that scare them, slowly increasing the volume as they adjust. This allows you to create positive associations by using treats and games to reward them while the sounds are playing.

Eventually, your pet will begin to associate the noises with tasty treats and playtime, instead of something they should be scared of.

Remember to stop immediately if you see any signs of fear in your pet, and only restart the process at a volume your pet is comfortable with once they are calm.

Consult an expert if the anxiety continues

Once firework season is over, keep a close eye on your pet for several days afterwards. Check how much they are eating and drinking and, for cats, monitor how much they’re using their litter tray or going outside.

If you are seeing signs of stress or fear and would like some support, the teams at Pets at Home or Vets4Pets, both part of the Pets at Home family, will be able to help.

Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Take a Break, heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.