Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Pheromone diffusers and sprays are marketed as a solution to preserve cats calm when stress ranges soar. However do they really work? And which sort of pheromone product will probably be greatest on your personal nervous kitty?
Certainly, nobody likes to see their cat in misery—particularly when dangerous conduct is the top outcome. This evaluation will discover the advantages and disadvantages of the highest pheromone sprays and diffusers obtainable, with suggestions that talk to particular cat mother or father wants.
At a Look: Our High Picks for Finest Pheromone Diffusers and Sprays for Cats To Purchase
Need a fast take a look at the merchandise reviewed on this article? Within the comparability desk under, we’ve highlighted among the most necessary options of every product. You’ll discover extra detailed details about every product later within the article.
Finest for Separation Nervousness
Finest for Harmful Kitties
Finest for Situational Stress
9.1
Picked by 31 individuals immediately!
bSerene Pheromone and Catnip Oil Calming Spray
- Comprises catnip oil
- Comprises 11.6% feline facial pheromone AND 0.5% Nepeta cataria extract (generally known as catnip oil)
- Each 2 ml bottle ought to comprise about 400 sprays
Why Belief Cats.com?
All Cats.com evaluations are developed by the lens of a shrewd client. We don’t obtain compensation from the manufacturers we select to function however moderately choose merchandise based mostly on real-world testing and thorough analysis.
To study extra about cat pheromone merchandise and the way they work, I checked out quite a few scientific research on the use and efficacy of cat pheromone remedy. I additionally referenced research on pheromones in multi-cat households, and pheromones for stress throughout transport. I researched the vary of pheromone merchandise, contemplating who they may swimsuit and what issues they’re prone to resolve. Constructive (and not-so-positive) evaluations confirmed how completely different calming instruments labored for different cat mother and father. Primarily based on these findings, I chosen 4 sprays and 4 diffusers for in-person testing with my very own two cats.
The merchandise featured right here come from respected manufacturers within the pet house. I prioritized merchandise clinically confirmed to be efficient and people advisable by veterinarians. I additionally thought-about product design, the quantity of pheromones allotted, and price.
What Are Cat Pheromone Merchandise?
Cats have glands on their head, cheeks, paw pads, and tail that launch pure “feel-good” chemical compounds known as pheromones. These odorless alerts permit cats to speak and mark objects as secure and acquainted. For this reason your kitty likes to head-butt you. It’s their means of claiming, “That is my human—they’re secure.”
Pheromone diffusers and sprays mimic these pure cat-appeasing pheromones to calm feline nerves. In flip, they need to curb stress-induced behaviors like extreme vocalization, scratching, hiding, and combating amongst cats. They’re usually utilized in vet clinics or shelters to loosen up cats. Artificial pheromones gained’t work for each cat, however many cat mother and father report noticeable variations of their pet’s conduct after utilizing them.
You’ll discover two kinds of pheromones utilized in these merchandise. The feline facial pheromone is helpful for basic stress and calms cats on a person stage. And the maternal cat-appeasing pheromone (FAP) helps preserve the peace in multi-cat properties the place combating is an issue.
Who Are Pheromone Diffusers and Sprays Good For?
Pheromone merchandise are species-specific—that means they gained’t be detectable or helpful for canines, people, or different pets. However they’re utterly secure to make use of round different animals who share your cat’s house. Pets and babies ought to be supervised round them although.
Pheromone merchandise could also be useful for:
- Cats with separation nervousness
- Multi-cat properties with fixed combating
- Throughout journey
- Journeys to the vet or groomer
- Introducing new cats to one another
- Cats with situational stress (ie: fireworks, storms, noisy home visitors)
- Curbing harmful conduct stemming from nerves (ie: scratching and urine marking)
- Cats experiencing hectic modifications to their setting (like transferring or reworking)
Potential downsides of pheromone merchandise embody:
- They are often costly (particularly if used long-term)
- Some customers report malfunctions like diffusers melting, leaking, or leaving oil stains on partitions
- Some sprays might have an off-putting scent
- They could not work on your cat
As a remaining be aware, cat mother and father ought to have reasonable expectations for the effectiveness of some of these merchandise. They usually work greatest alongside different kinds of calming instruments, like calming treats, Thundershirts, calming beds, and assist from an expert behaviorist or coach. It’s additionally advisable to verify in together with your vet for ongoing nervousness to rule out an underlying medical situation.
The ten Finest Pheromone Merchandise for Peaceable Cats
Our rankings are decided by a wide range of elements. Every cat can have completely different wants and preferences, so whereas the Feliway Traditional Calming Diffuser Package is our best choice, it is probably not preferrred on your distinctive cat.
That can assist you select the precise pheromone product on your cat, we’ve damaged down our suggestions by value, perfume, the circumstances underneath which they work greatest, and different key concerns.
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
On the earth of cat pheromone merchandise, Feliway is by far essentially the most well-known and respected. I examined the single-cat “Traditional” system, which releases the feline facial pheromone. Feliway additionally carries a multi-cat model for relieving tensions amongst feline housemates.
Like most diffusers on this checklist, every vial lasts roughly 30 days and diffuser heads should be changed each six months. Nevertheless, room temperature and airflow might alter that timeline. Additionally much like most pheromone diffusers, the Feliway Traditional covers as much as 700 sq. ft. This refers to an open ground plan, that means diffusers will solely be efficient in a single room. You might must buy a number of diffusers in case your cat reveals hectic behaviors in a number of rooms.
To keep away from leaking and danger of fireside, diffusers have to be upright, with the vents going through up. Conveniently, the Feliway’s electrical prongs rotate to accommodate horizontal retailers. One other function that caught my eye was a inexperienced gentle indicating it was on. Personally, I favored this element, however some discovered it too brilliant.
When plugged in, this diffuser is heat to the contact (as had been all of the examined diffusers on this checklist). The corporate notes that some customers might discover a slight odor for the primary 24–72 hours, though I didn’t discover any scent throughout use. One other potential watch-out is that wall retailers ought to have fairly sturdy plug retention. These items are pretty heavy, and I observed them sagging down in sure retailers. This might trigger them to fall and break.
As a remaining be aware, don’t fear if you happen to don’t see something popping out of the diffuser head: pheromones are invisible and there will probably be no seen vapor. Feliway reviews that it is best to discover enhancements in your pet’s conduct inside every week but it surely may take as much as 30 days.
What We Preferred:
- Inexperienced indicator gentle
- Rotating prongs
- Veterinarian advisable model
What We Didn’t Like:
- The diffuser head itself is a bit cumbersome/ugly
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
This bSerene diffuser is a relative newcomer available on the market. What caught my eye was that it incorporates each kinds of pheromones: facial and mammary. So, it calms cats on a person stage and helps them to get alongside. This makes it a good selection for households with fixed cat battles.
It additionally provides barely extra protection—750 sq. ft vs. the standard 650-700. Nevertheless, like the opposite diffusers, that is based mostly on an open ground plan and can solely be efficient in a single room. One other bonus: bSerene vials are stated to last more than most different diffusers. In keeping with the corporate, every refill ought to final about 45 days, significantly longer than the everyday 30-day use.
It’s a minor element, however I appreciated this diffuser’s streamlined design, which regarded significantly sleeker than the Feliway. On the draw back, it’s the one diffuser we examined that doesn’t have rotating electrical prongs to suit horizontal retailers.
What We Preferred:
- Promotes bonding and peaceable residing amongst cats
- Lasts longer than most diffusers (45 days vs. 30)
- Streamlined design
What We Didn’t Like:
- Refills are on the dear aspect
- Plug doesn’t rotate
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Cats might have a repute for being unbiased and solitary creatures, however they will nonetheless undergo from separation nervousness. As a result of they provide steady calm, diffusers are likely to have extra success relieving separation nervousness than calming sprays, that are solely efficient for a number of hours.
From the makers of the calming ThunderShirt, this diffuser is clinically confirmed to be efficient for 90% of cats. Since I’ve two cats at dwelling, I examined the multi-cat system. However there’s a single-cat system too. The diffuser head is designed equally to the Feliway, with prongs that may rotate for various retailers. The ThunderEase covers 700 sq. ft.
What We Preferred:
- Prongs can rotate
- Clinically confirmed to be efficient
- Good for multi-cat pressure
What We Didn’t Like:
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Pheromone diffusers and sprays aren’t low cost. Whether or not you’re on a funds or trying to purchase a number of diffusers, Consolation Zone provides an inexpensive possibility. For $35, you get two diffusers and two refills. This set is economical for individuals who want diffusers in a couple of room or want to have a substitute available.
Consolation Zone had the very best pheromone ranges of the 4 diffusers we examined. In contrast with the two% pheromone composition of the others, Consolation Zone incorporates 5% pheromones. In keeping with the corporate, most cats will see enhancements in anxiety-related conduct in about two weeks.
What We Preferred:
- Inexpensive possibility
- Greater pheromone composition
- Good, smooth design
- Prongs can rotate
- Security shutoff function prevents overheating
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some evaluations point out overheating and a burning scent (I didn’t observe this)
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Touring with cats just isn’t for the faint of coronary heart, however calming pheromones might assist. Sprays take advantage of sense for calming nerves throughout journey as a result of they’re moveable. Sprays are additionally preferrred for short-term hectic conditions and may be utilized on to the world the place your kitty might turn into distressed. On this case, their kitty provider.
Whereas among the different sprays we examined smelled fairly strongly of alcohol, this Sentry spray was way more pleasing. The agreeable perfume makes it a robust contender for confined automobile journey the place sturdy smells are a priority. Moreover, this was the smallest and lightest weight spray that I examined. It will be straightforward to stash it in your bag or pocket to convey to the vet.
What We Preferred:
- Scientifically confirmed to calm cats in hectic conditions
- Light-weight container
- Good scent
What We Didn’t Like:
- Comprises 0.01% pheromones (considerably decrease than different sprays)
- Much less quantity than different sprays (48 ml)
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Generally cats get harmful once they’re burdened. Feliway’s Traditional spray is clinically confirmed to cut back scratching and urine spraying in 9 out of 10 cats. To spare your furnishings, cat mother and father can spray 8-10 pumps immediately onto the article your cat is scratching or marking.
It’s additionally a good selection for taking kitty to the vet. The consequences ought to final about 4 to 5 hours. One criticism we had was its pretty sturdy scent, which is fairly off-putting.
What We Preferred:
- Economical selection (incorporates 60 ml for $16)
- Confirmed to cut back indicators of stress in cats
- Superb for stress at dwelling or journeys to the vet
What We Didn’t Like:
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
Does your cat panic throughout fireworks or thunderstorms? Together with calming pheromones, this bSerene spray incorporates catnip oil, which ought to appeal to cats to the spayed space. Should you’re anticipating a hectic occasion, spray a favourite blanket to entice your kitty and soothe their nerves. That is additionally a great way to maintain cats calm throughout hectic actions like nail cropping or grooming.
I gave this a shot with a cat mattress my cat had misplaced curiosity in after I washed it. Though the scent initially perked his curiosity, he dismissed it fairly shortly. This additionally had the strongest scent, so I don’t advocate it for touring.
What We Preferred:
- Comprises catnip oil
- Comprises 11.6% feline facial pheromone AND 0.5% Nepeta cataria extract (generally known as catnip oil)
- Each 2 ml bottle ought to comprise about 400 sprays
What We Didn’t Like:
- Most costly spray
- Strongest scent
Liz Coleman / Cats.com
A typical criticism concerning sprays is their noxious smells. This Consolation Zone spray is made with zero perfumes, and it has just about no scent. This makes it a sensible selection for people (or cats) with delicate sniffers. It will even be an excellent choose for spraying immediately on furnishings because it gained’t depart a lingering scent.
Consolation Zone says it is best to discover modifications in your pet’s conduct in about 1–2 weeks, though some cats might take as much as 4 weeks. There have been some complaints about faulty bottles leaking or the nozzle being ineffective, however I discovered that it labored simply tremendous.
What We Preferred:
- Comprises 15% analogue of feline facial pheromone
- Inexpensive
- 90-day money-back assure
What We Didn’t Like:
- Some customers reported leaky or defective bottles
Sorts of Cat Calming Pheromone Merchandise
Artificial cat pheromones can take just a few completely different varieties. The kind that’s greatest for you’ll rely upon how you propose to make use of it. As an illustration, take into account whether or not your cat wants 24/7 nerve management, or her stress is extra situational. Additionally, take into account whether or not you’re attempting to cut back basic stress, or if it’s good to calm inter-cat tensions and combating.
- Sprays: As a result of they’re moveable, sprays take advantage of sense for stress throughout journey. Sprays are higher for lowering stress in a selected space of the house, like a litter field or feeding station.
- Diffusers: For cats who want round the clock rest, diffusers make a better option. These regularly waft calming pheromones throughout a whole room.
- Collars: Since they go wherever your cat goes, calming collars make sense for kitties who go outdoors often.
Often Requested Questions
Does pheromone spray work for cats?
For some cats, sure—however not all. Research have proven that pheromone merchandise can assist decrease feline nervousness. However distinction in setting and particular person personalities can result in different outcomes.
What are the unwanted side effects of pheromone diffusers or sprays?
Pheromones are pure and secure. Cats use them as a solution to talk. These usually are not a sedative nor a drug of any sort, so they don’t have unwanted side effects. Nevertheless, don’t permit cats (or toddlers) to ingest these merchandise.
How lengthy does cat pheromone spray final?
Sometimes, sprays will have an impact for 4-6 hours. After that point, they’ll should be reapplied. Pheromone diffusers, however, work around-the-clock.
