How do I make my cat relax?

Question

I have a young male cat that seems to be very tense. If I go to pet him or noises it will make him jump and/or run away. One time I farted and he jumped, no noke. How can I make him relax?

Answer 1

All cats have different temperaments. Some are carefree, and some are jumpy, with all shades of gray in between. I don't know what your home environment is like, or if you have behavior that causes your cat to be nervous (really erratic, jumping around, loud music, etc??).. If you aren't the cause of his jumpiness, there may be some sort of product that could help him to calm down a bit. I would talk to my vet. They sell vitamin supplements that help to calm anxious animals. I think it is vitamin B. Another thing is a mild sedative. The vet advised us to give my roommate's dog children's benedryl when we moved into our new apartment. The dog was freaking out, nervous all the time. She has settled in now. Maybe this would help your cat too?? Ask a vet first. And,be sure your cat has some place to call his very own. A safe comfortable bed in a spot where he can hide...etc... And avoid behaviors where you purposely freak him out to get a laugh. I know we are all guilty of it, but it sounds like this cat has almost been conditioned to be wary about his surroundings. Good luck!

Answer 2

Hi there... like humans, cats personalities vary. Some will be naturally high strung, others laid back...age will also sometimes change a nervous kitty.

One of the things we do to calm nervous cats is to play with them for 10 minutes several times a day to wear them out with a flying feather toy--getting them leap and jump to capture it. This helps establish a routine they can look forward to and also gives them the opportunity to learn trust as well ...later calming them down enough so that you can pet them.

Please be patient as some kitties need to learn that petting comes with rewarded play time so they associate the two together. Eventually, play time will not be necessary as they already have learned by then that petting is rewarding in itself.

Answer 3

don't know how long you've had your cat or what kind of environment he came from--or what kind of environment is your house. animals generally reflect the environment they live in. try to create a calm environment and also try to radiate as much calm in your own self as you can. animals are very receptive. if your cat came from a bad environment it might take them awhile to calm down, or even never. all you can do is continue to be affectionate and non-threatening and hope they will come around. good luck!

p.s. also try getting your cat neutered if you haven't already; it's required in many states anyway and often, but not always, helps calm them down a bit.

Answer 4

i basically offered my cat this collar that expenses $15 at petco. its referred to as feliway,i imagine. that's made up of cat pheremones and eases lower than pressure out cats. that's an similar hormone the mummy cat releases even as she has kittens to ease them and calm them. to this point, my cat went from aggressively scuffling with the different cats contained in the abode, to being calm and non violent. its meant to very last for 30days.

Answer 5

Catnip or there is a system that you plug into the wall and it gives off Pheramones that calm the cat, its call Feli-away