ST. LOUIS — Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements on April 6 launched its new Calming Care cat supplements. The Calming Care supplements, once available only to dogs, serve as a management option for pet parents whose cats express anxious behaviors.

According to Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplements, anxious behaviors in cats can be common, but are usually misunderstood. A survey by the company found that 78% of cat owners had a cat that exhibited anxious behaviors, with 22% of cat owners believing the behavior to be normal.

Behaviors like hiding, withdrawing, pacing, excessive vocalizing, as well as aggression and compulsiveness, can signal that a cat is experiencing stress or anxiety. Cats experience such stress and anxiety resulting from changes in their environment, being confined, 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 Ragen McGowan, Ph.D., animal behavior expert at Purina.

Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Supplement’s new Calming Care for cats is formulated with the BL999 strain of bacteria, which has proven to aid in calm behavior, and vitamin E, which acts as a cortisol blocker to decrease stress and increase immune health. The supplement is meant to help cats cope with changes in their routine or location, promoting positive behavior.

"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,” McGowan added. “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."

The Calming Care supplements are available to veterinarians through Pro Plan Veterinary’s e-commerce site.

Read more about new pet food and treat products.