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Support & safety portalPheromone therapy, or 'pheromonatherapy', is a great way of managing some common stress-related behavioural disorders in dogs and cats, without the need for drugs and their associated side-effects. It can also be used as an important add-on in the treatment of more complex behavioural problems by vets or behaviourists. So how does it work? This article explains what pheromones are, which products are available and how they may be used to help your pet.
Pheromones are chemical substances used for communication between individuals of the same species. They are detected by the vomeronasal organ, which is part of the olfaction system (the same system that detects smell). They trigger a specific action or event, such as a change in the emotional state of the animal.
An important pheromone in dogs is 'dog appeasing pheromone', which is produced in the sebaceous (or oil-producing) glands of the mammary chains of the nursing female. It appears to calm and reassure (or appease) the puppies.Cats release a number of pheromones when they use their face for marking. The most important are the F3 and F4 fractions:
CEVA Animal Health produce a product called Adaptil (formerly known as DAP), which is a synthetic version of dog appeasing pheromone. It is useful not only for puppies, but also for adult dogs. It may be used to help the dog adapt to stressful situations better. Examples of such situations include separation, weaning, transport and firework displays. It can also be used to help puppies during the socialisation period, to decrease their apprehensiveness in unfamiliar situations and environments. There are three different formulations available:
Two products are available, called Feliway and Felifriend. Again, these are produced by CEVA Animal Health. Feliway is a synthetic version of the F3 fraction of the feline facial pheromone, whilst Felifriend represents the F4 fraction.Feliway can be used in the control of stress/anxiety, urine marking and vertical scratching. It can also be used when introducing cats into new situations where stress is anticipated - for example, moving to a new home, visiting a veterinary practice, travelling in the car or introduction of a new pet/baby to the home. By reducing stress, you may see your cat's appetite, social interactions or play increase. Feliway is available in two formulations:
Felifriend is available as a spray and is applied to the hands prior to handling a cat. It may be used by new owners or other unfamiliar people to reassure the cat and decrease aggression towards them. It works in the vast majority of cases, but there have been a few reports of increased aggression. In these cases this tends to be directed towards people who have previously been targeted, and whom the cat would normally avoid.
The products are available widely from veterinary practices, pet supermarkets and online companies.For further information on Adaptil, visit http://www.adaptil.co.uk/For further information on Feliway, visit http://www.feliway.co.uk/