How to Help an Anxious Cat Feel Safe

Not unlike many of us, cats are creatures of habit and routine. A disrupted schedule, a new face in the house, or even a rearranged piece of furniture can be enough to throw them off. When that happens, anxiety can follow fast.

According to PetMD, between 20 and 25 percent of cats show signs of anxiety at some point. Veterinarian Dr. Preston Turano believes the true number is likely higher, since many cases may go unrecognized by pet parents. Likewise, a 2025 review published in Veterinary Medicine International identified fear, anxiety, and stress as the most common behavioral challenges in domestic cats, and offered suggestions for creating a cat-friendly environment.

Similar to us humans, anxiety can manifest itself even if no immediate danger is present. With our cats, the signs of anxiety can include hiding more than usual, overgrooming, avoiding the litter box, or becoming overly clingy. If you are concerned about your cat and their anxiety, here are three tips you can implement to help them.  

Stick to a Routine

Cats thrive on stability. As best you can, try to feed them at the same time and avoid moving things like their water bowl or litter box. When cats know what to expect, their stress levels tend to drop.  

Hawk, the cat for whom Super Caturday is named, taught me a lot about this. For example, Hawk is adamant about being fed first thing in the morning, and I don’t dare miss that interval by even a millisecond. However, in the afternoon, Hawk operates more on a floating clock, depending on when he wakes up from his nap. The later we get in the day, the more I take my cues from Hawk as to when he is hungry.

Otherwise, I keep everything right where it is for Hawk, including his chair by the patio window, and make any changes delicately. Something as common as rearranging furniture, switching up your work schedule, or having a new person come over to visit can be enough to make our cats uncomfortable.

In other words, the more stable and familiar their environment, the more secure our feline friends feel.

No Humans Allowed: Create a Safe Space

When I was a kid, I had a poster on my bedroom door with a caution-style road sign that read "No Parents Allowed!" We can think in similar terms for our cats, in that every cat needs a spot that is fully theirs and theirs alone.

This can include, but is not limited to, a cozy corner, a covered bed somewhere out of the way, or an elevated perch. When their little worlds feel like too much, having a dedicated retreat area gives our cats somewhere to decompress (and nap!) on their own terms. Within that little retreat space, you can try placing a piece of your old clothing, such as a shirt or a jacket. The familiar scent of someone they trust can be a source of calm for an anxious cat.

Give Them Something Soft and Familiar

Cats instinctively seek out cozy, nest-like spaces, and having something soft within their domain turns an ordinary corner of your home into a place they look forward to returning to.

This is part of the thinking behind the Super Caturday blanket, our brand's flagship product. With my career in the automotive industry, I run into words like “design” and “develop” quite frequently, especially in reference to emerging vehicle technologies, which can include everything from powertrain to infotainment systems. Although a small blanket is quite different from a full-size car, truck, or SUV, the mentality is the same: we wanted to “develop” something a cat would be proud to nap on.

Made from 100 percent polyester, Super Caturday blankets are soft enough for cats to curl up in and durable enough to handle whatever they put them through. The 100 percent polyester construction also means it stays soft wash after wash, something that was important to us, especially when your cat has claimed it as their own.

Super Caturday blankets can go anywhere, from the back of the couch to the top of the kitchen cupboard. Drop one by your cat’s favorite spot so they can rest on it when they feel anxious.  

A Little Intention Goes a Long Way

A good routine, a private space, and a Super Caturday blanket can go a long way toward helping an anxious cat feel more settled and secure.

If your cat's anxiety seems severe or persistent despite these changes, it is always worth a conversation with your veterinarian. Most cases, however, respond well to exactly the kind of simple, thoughtful adjustments described above.