Phenomenal Pheromones!

Pheromones are naturally produced chemical scents which have a behavioural influence. They have been available in the animal world for some time for both dogs and cats. The cat version is called ‘Feliway’ and it is a synthetic version of the scent the cat spreads when it rubs its face up against objects and people. Cats find this scent extremely reassuring and relaxing, as they use it to mark their territory and make themselves feel secure. The dog pheromone is called ‘Dog Appeasing Pheromone’ or DAP. It is a synthetic version of the scent the bitch releases from her mammary glands when producing milk. It is an extremely comforting and relaxing scent to a dog as they associate it with one of the times in their life when they are the safest.


DAP has also been around for some time but a couple of recent clinical trials have been released which have really proved its worth. Firstly, it was used on dogs who were going into kennels, which for some can be a very stressful experience. Dogs wearing a DAP collar, which looks just like a flea collar and releases the scent for about 4 weeks, were shown to be significantly more relaxed and quieter. This study was done by the Dogs Trust and they were so impressed they are now going to be using the collars on all the dogs they have in their rehoming centres. In the second study, puppies who attended training classes were split into groups and half were fitted with collars and half weren’t. Those who wore the collars for 8 weeks while attending the classes were significantly calmer, more confident and better behaved. Not only that but this effect was still present when they were a year old, long after they had stopped wearing the collar. This is a very significant study and proves that a DAP collar could really help give your pup a good start in life and help turn them into a good ‘canine citizens’.


Feliway has been used for some time as a stress reliving technique in cats. It is available as either a plug-in diffuser or as a spray. Cats are very susceptible to stress, especially in the home, but are very bad at showing it. A stressed cat will not seek attention or reassurance, they are more likely to hide away, withdraw from family life and may urinate in the home in an attempt to mark their territory and make themselves feel more secure. Feliway can be used in a variety of situations to help cats feel more relaxed, for example if they have just moved into a new home, or to treat problems which could be related to stress, such as inappropriate urination in the house. It is also extremely helpful in multi-cat households, as cats do not naturally live in close proximity and having to share territory can be a significant source of distress. Several clinical trials have proved that it really helps and I regularly recommend it to my clients.


These pheromones are synthetic versions of natural substances and are not absorbed or processed by the body at all. They have been proven to have a significant effect on our pets, especially in stressful situations and in their early development. They are definitely something every responsible pet owner should consider, especially in multi-cat households and for young puppies. I should also point out that humans can’t smell them at all and they have no effect on us!