HomePre-Visit Calm
Pre-Visit Calm Guide

Veterinary stress is not inevitable.

For Cats who find veterinary visits especially difficult, there is a spectrum of tools, from pheromones and calming supplements to prescription medication. This guide covers your options and how to work with your CatsOnly Care Team to choose the right approach for your Cat.

See Your Options
Is Your Cat a Candidate?
  • Vocalizes excessively in the car or carrier
  • Has shown defensive or fear-responsive behavior at previous vet visits
  • Hides for days after returning home from the vet
  • Has been described as difficult to handle or required physical restraint
  • You dread taking them in because of how stressful it is for both of you

If any of these apply, mention it when you book. We will build a calming protocol into your appointment from the start.

Why This Matters Clinically

Reducing stress improves more than the experience.

A frightened Cat is not just uncomfortable, they are physiologically altered. Elevated cortisol affects heart rate, blood pressure readings, blood glucose, and the reliability of diagnostic findings. A Cat examined in a calmer state produces better clinical data, tolerates handling more safely, and builds a more positive association with veterinary care over time.

“Our goal isn’t just to sedate the Cat, it is to support them so they can receive the care they need without distress and ensure you no longer dread the trip to the clinic.”

CatsOnly Clinical Team
Pheromone Therapy

The foundation of a calmer visit.

Synthetic feline pheromones are the most universally recommended, lowest-risk starting point for any calming protocol. They do not sedate, they signal safety at a biological level. Cats respond to several types of pheromones in different situations, and choosing the right product for your Cat’s specific environment matters. Some products target carrier and travel stress, while others are best suited for ongoing home use or multi-cat households. Talk with your Care Team about what combination makes sense for your Cat’s needs.

Feliway Classic Spray
Feliway Classic Spray
Synthetic Facial Pheromone · OTC · Travel
Mimics the feline facial pheromone deposited when Cats rub on familiar objects. Spray inside the carrier 30 minutes before loading. Allow to dry before your Cat enters. Do not spray directly on your Cat. Best for carrier and travel-specific situations. Learn more →
Feliway Optimum Diffuser
Feliway Optimum Diffuser
Multi-Pheromone Diffuser · OTC · Home Use
Multi-pheromone blend associated with feline emotional comfort and social harmony. Plug in where the carrier lives at home. Most effective when running continuously for one to two weeks before a scheduled visit. Best for ongoing household stress management. Learn more →
SecureCat Feline Pheromone Diffuser
SecureCat Feline Pheromone Diffuser
Feline Pheromone · OTC · Travel & Home
A feline-specific pheromone system available in diffuser and spray formats. Designed for use in the carrier or small spaces as well as home environments. A good option for Cat Parents who want a targeted, portable solution. Learn more →
Which Pheromone Product Is Right for Your Cat?

The choice between a spray, diffuser, and specific formulation depends on whether you are targeting travel-specific stress, household tension between Cats, or general anxiety. If you are unsure which type to start with, ask your Feline Experience Specialist when you book your appointment and we will help you choose.

Calming Supplements

Science-backed, calming support you can provide.

Zylkene
Zylkene
Alpha-Casozepine · OTC
Derived from a natural milk protein with calming properties. Broad clinical use for situational anxiety in Cats. Can be sprinkled on food. Most effective when given for several days before a stressful event. Learn more →
Anxitaine
Anxitaine
L-Theanine Supplement · OTC
Contains L-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea, which has been shown to support a calm, relaxed state without sedation. Available in chewable tablet form that is palatable to most Cats. Can be given alone or combined with pheromone therapy. Learn more →
Composure
Composure
Multi-ingredient Calming Supplement · OTC
A combination supplement containing colostrum, L-theanine, and thiamine (B1). Designed for situational anxiety and general stress. Available in bite-sized chews. Well-tolerated and can be used short-term or as part of an ongoing calming routine. Learn more →
Solliquin
Solliquin
L-Theanine + Magnolia/Phellodendron · OTC
Veterinary-formulated supplement combining L-theanine with a patented Magnolia/Phellodendron extract. One of the more thoroughly studied OTC calming supplements available for Cats. Requires several weeks of consistent use for full effect. Learn more →
Purina Pro Plan Calming Care
Purina Pro Plan Calming Care
Probiotic Supplement · OTC
Contains Bifidobacterium longum BL999, shown in research to reduce anxious behaviors in Cats. Requires daily use for several weeks before benefits become apparent. Easily mixed into food. Best as a longer-term support rather than a situational intervention. Learn more →
ElleVet Hemp CBD+CBDA
ElleVet Hemp CBD+CBDA
Veterinary-Grade Hemp · OTC
Veterinary-formulated hemp-based supplement with clinical research support in dogs and emerging research in cats. Ask your Care Team at CatsOnly whether this option may be appropriate for your Cat before starting. Learn more →
Work with Your Care Team

The products above have the strongest available evidence or widest clinical use in veterinary practice. We recommend discussing any new supplement with your Care Team before starting.

Prescription Options Available

For Cats with more significant anxiety, prescription pre-visit medication is available and completely normal. We do not provide dosing guidance here, your veterinarian will prescribe and advise based on your Cat’s specific health status. Ask at your next visit or call during clinic hours.

Building a Protocol

Getting the most from what you choose to use.

1
Start weeks before the visit, not the morning of
Most calming supplements require days to weeks before full effect. The day-of component is important, but it builds on a foundation of prior use.
2
Layer multiple approaches
Pheromones plus supplements plus carrier training together are significantly more effective than any single element. These approaches work through different mechanisms.
3
Tell us what you have used and when
When you check in, let the Care Team know what calming measures you have taken and when you gave them. This context informs how we approach the exam.
4
For persistent or severe anxiety, ask about prescription options
If OTC approaches are not sufficient, a conversation with your Care Team about prescription pre-visit medication is the right next step. There is no anxiety threshold that must be met before it is reasonable to ask.
Our Commitment

CatsOnly holds Cat Friendly Practice Gold and Fear Free certifications. Every team member is trained in low-stress handling. The pheromones, warming, low-lighting, and exam approach inside our clinic are all designed to work alongside the preparation you do at home. Your effort and ours compound.

Also Read: Carrier & Transport Guide

Questions before your visit?

Our Feline Experience Specialists are available to take your calls during clinic hours.

Book a consult now