I second winter. If a comfort item works, use it and don't worry about trying to change what works. But if you are stuck without your kitty again, then advice for handling the anxiety would be the same for anyone else -- deep breathe.

When I am anxious I will play around with anything near me, such as taking a quarter and flipping in my hands, putting it in one hand and then the other, twirling it about, etc. Is it possible that you could find a small comfort item like a key chain? That way it will always be in your pocket.

I kind of relate to the stuffed kitty bit. I have a stuffed leopard and a stuffed dalmatian (Julie and Dolly!) that I sleep with every night and have spent countless days hugging and squeezing turning anxiety attacks. When I was in 3rd grade I had a stuffed cat that I carried EVERYWHERE. To school, to dinner, all around the house, etc. This wasn't an anxiety thing and I don't understand fully why I did it. My mom got fed up with it and threw it away. I cried and complained that I could not sleep without it. I still have some weird attachment to the stuffties I have now. They HAVE to be in my bed even if I am not cuddling with them.