Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements Launches Probiotic for Cats Displaying Anxious Behaviors

#1 Vet Recommended Probiotic Brand to Support Calm Behavior now Available for Cats

ST. LOUIS , April 6, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements has announced that Calming Care, its #1 veterinarian-recommended probiotic brand for supporting calm behavior in dogs, is now available for cats. Calming Care is a management option for owners whose cats experience anxious behaviors like hiding or pacing. Calming Care is a probiotic supplement that contains a strain of beneficial bacteria that has been shown to help dogs and cats maintain calm behavior. It helps cats cope with changes in routine and location and helps promote positive behaviors such as playing and seeking out social contact.

Anxious behaviors in cats can be relatively common, but also misunderstood as common cat behavior. A 2021 Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements survey* revealed that 78% of cat owners surveyed had a cat that regularly exhibited one or more anxious behaviors, yet 22% of those owners believe these behaviors are just "the way their cat is." Anxious behaviors in cats can include hiding or withdrawing, showing aggression, showing compulsive behavior, pacing, vocalizing excessively or following family members around the house. Cats may experience anxious behaviors as a result of external stressors like change in environment, being confined to a cat carrier, being overstimulated or bored.

"It can be tricky for pet owners to identify anxious behaviors in cats because they may attribute anxious behavior to being part of their cat's personality or the 'that's just the way they are' mentality," said Dr. Ragen McGowan, PhD, Animal Behavior Expert at Purina. "If you notice your cat acting differently or if you're concerned about your cat's typical behavior, it's important to talk with your veterinarian to ensure there are no underlying health conditions. Your vet can provide a proper assessment and recommend if Calming Care is a good option for your pet. Keep in mind that it can take up to six weeks to start seeing results, so it's important to build the supplement into your regular feeding routine."

As Calming Care is just one tool in the toolbox to help address pets displaying anxious behaviors, Dr. McGowan recommends cat owners consider a variety of ways to keep their pets comfortable and calm:

• Provide enrichment. Making sure your cat is getting mental and physical exercise is crucial for their mental health. Set aside time to play one-on-one with your cat with a wand, cat ball or any other interactive toy that keeps your cat's attention. For those spending less time at home with their cats during the workday, consider providing them with an interactive toy or puzzle toy to keep your cat entertained while you're away.
• Identify the cause. Cats are very particular creatures who are in tune with even small changes in their environment. Rearranging furniture, having houseguests or even making changes to cat litter, diet or where water bowls are placed in your home can have a great impact on a cat's behavior. As a first step, cat owners can think through any recent changes to your cat's environment or routine and reverse them to see if this alleviates any anxious behaviors.
• Stay calm. Our pets can sense our stress and they look to us for reassurance, so showing them that we are calm and relaxed will likely help them remain calm as well.

For more information on Calming Care, visit www.proplanvetdirect.com or speak to your veterinarian.

About Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements
Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets are manufactured by Nestlé Purina PetCare, a global leader in the pet care industry. Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 8,700 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 51 million dogs and 65 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.

Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products, and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive.  

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news. 

*Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements online survey of 1,010 cat owners age 18 or older with 1-4 cats who had taken the cats to a veterinarian in the past 12 months; fielded March, 2021 by data vendor Relevation Research.  

SOURCE Purina