I responded to someone wanting to know about Rescue Remedy on another post and thought maybe it would be good to let everyone know about this.
If you need to calm a cat a good way of doing it naturally is to use Rescue Remedy which is wonderful stuff but it is quite subtle and may not have as much effect as some might need. For something a little stronger you can use Valerian Root or Camomile. Both are natural and both can be purchased in a dry form. Camomile is usually purchased to make tea and you can simply mix it into food. Both of these are loved by cats and you shouldn't have a problem getting them to eat food which has either mixed in. However, Valerian Root is a much stronger smelling property than Camomile and some cats may not take to it as well as others.
In the case of wanting to trap or catch a cat, you can also make up a mixture of water and Rescue Remedy and spray the cage or trap. Feliway is also attractive to cats and can be sprayed inside a cage or trap.
If you are planning on catching a cat and transporting it to a vet, cover the cage with a towel once it is inside. It will help to lessen its anxiety.
A quick note of caution. For anyone who has stray or abandoned cats in their neighbourhood which they want to catch either keep or to fix and release, please be careful when approaching. You sometimes can't tell if a kitten is stray or feral and feral kittens can strip your hands to shreds. I still have the scars from a little 3 week old feral I thought I could just catch with my hands. I did but that sweet little baby turned into a rototiller. It was absolutely shocking to see. I had to drop it off at the vets and go to the hospital. Believe it or not, I had leather gloves on! So it can be done but don't ever walk into a situation like that until you know what you are dealing with.
If you would like to read up on Bach's Rescue Remedy which I recommend highly, here is the url for the official website:
These products are made from a base of flowers. The Rescue Remedy is great because it will calm down a cat or dog without making it dopey or lethargic. There is liquid and cream. The cream you rub onto their ears but I have never had much luck with it and prefer the liquid which you put in their water. The strange thing is your other pets can drink the same water and the only one affected will be the one who needs calming. Very strange but it works.
I almost forgot. If everything fails, you can drink the Rescue Remedy yourself!
