Instructions
Reinforce calm behavior that you feel is appropriate. When your cat acts violently or is frantic, your temptation might be to find an immediate fix by feeding or playing with it. However, this reinforces your cat's bad behavior. You should be sure to reward calm behavior, and ignore or punish bad behavior.
Speak to your cat in a calm voice. When trying to correct bad behavior, yelling at your cat can make it more stressed. You should firmly tell your cat "no" when it does bad things, but you should always use a soft and firm tone that isn't harsh or too loud.
Give your cat catnip or a massage to calm it down. Catnip, an attractive substance that makes most cats go crazy with delight, can calm a cat and allow it to forget whatever is bothering it. A nice massage can also relax your cat and help it sleep.
Provide hiding places for your cat that allow it to get some privacy. Cats may need some time to cool down before they can interact socially with people or other animals. A cat box, quiet room or covered bed can provide a haven for a stressed cat.
Maintain a calm environment without any loud noises or sudden interruptions. You can put soothing music on a stereo or turn on the TV, but you should make sure that the environment is calm and without sudden and loud interactions, as these will scare and stress your cat.
How to Destress a Cat
When cats become frazzled and stressed, their tails become puffy, their nails stick out and they frenetically run around the house, biting and scratching everything in their path. Your cat's stressed state poses problems for your furniture, your guests and your state of mind, as you imagine the discomfort that your cat must feel. However, by using a few techniques, you can calm a stressed cat and return it to a state of comfort and happiness.