Has your cat been scratching furniture excessively? Just like humans, cats also get anxious and stressed, especially when there is a change, such as moving, changes in the home, or conflict with other pets. While professional help and behavior modification programs are essential when dealing with cat anxiety-related behaviors, using pheromone diffusers also helps keep them calm and stress-free.
Let's learn all about pheromone diffusers for cats, from what pheromone diffusers are, how they work, their types, and the common behavioral problems addressed by pheromone diffusers to their benefits and risks and how to use them effectively.
What Are Pheromone Diffusers for Cats?
A pheromone diffuser is a device that emits synthetic pheromones, which helps soothe cats and reduce stress. It helps manage undesirable behavior, such as scratching and marking the territory. Cats leave their scent on places or things they want to mark safe or secure by rubbing their face on them; a synthetic pheromone helps them feel secure in the environment where it is used.
How Pheromone Diffusers Work: The Science Behind It
It is essential to understand how pheromone diffusers for cats work, especially for an anxious cat. They work on the principle of pheromones (odorless and colorless chemical signals) that cats produce, which calm them, make them feel safe, and deal with stress-related behavior. The artificial chemicals in a cat diffuser are designed so that the scent they produce imitates the pheromones cats naturally release.
Common Behavioral Problems Addressed by Pheromone Diffusers
Pheromone diffusers can be used to keep your cat calm and address various common problem behaviors, including:
Marking territory
A classic synthetic pheromone diffuser may help make your cat think they have already marked the area because cats usually will not try to pee or rub their face to mark the territory which already has their scent.
Scratching furniture
Cats generally scratch furniture to de-stress, so using a pheromone diffuser in that area can help a cat feel calm and secure in the environment.
Anxiety-related behaviors
Cats get nervous or anxious when they feel the change in the environment or see new people or animals. So, if you are moving or changing furniture, putting a pheromone diffuser will help calm your cat and make them feel safe.
Multi-cat conflicts
According to an article in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, the cat-appeasing pheromone can help treat aggression between cats in a multi-cat household. You can use a multi-cat pheromone diffuser when introducing a new cat into the family. It produces synthetic pheromones that mimic the pheromones nursing mothers release when caring for their kittens.
Types of Pheromone Diffusers for Cats
A pheromone diffuser for cats comes in different formats and types, such as plug-in diffusers, collars, and sprays.
Plug-in diffusers
With plug-in diffusers, you can plug in the device where the cat hangs out most or where unwanted behavior happens. A plug-in diffuser is usually drug-free and odorless vapor that creates calm and stress-free environments for cats and is great for use in the house only.
Sprays
According to an article by PetMD, you can use cat calming spray when transporting your cat, when visiting your veterinarian, or when you are on vacation. What you can do is spray the pheromone on a blanket, bandana, or your clothing about 10 minutes before you put the cat in the carrier.
Collars
A cat calming collar also helps keep the cat calm and stress-free, whether indoors or outdoors. Pheromone collars come in all sizes and should be changed every month.
Benefits and Risks of Pheromone Diffusers for Cats
Synthetic pheromones help reduce stress in cats and keep them calm and safe. They can help promote harmony and minimize aggressive behaviors, which makes the environment more peaceful for all the cats in the household.
Pheromone diffusers are generally considered safe; however, you still need to keep an eye out on your cat for any dismissive reactions to the diffuser. Some cats may interpret the smell of pheromones as a threat to their safe space, which often leads to marking around the diffuser (or the diffuser itself). Also, be careful with electronics, which heat the solution and clean the unit to escape possible accidental fires.
How to Choose the Best Pheromone Diffuser for Your Cat
When looking for a pheromone diffuser for your cat, always double-check the ingredients to ensure they are perfectly safe for cats. Make sure you read reviews about the product before selecting the right pheromone diffuser for your feline companion. The best would be to discuss with your vet or a cat behaviorist for recommendations about the best cat pheromone diffuser.
How to Use Pheromone Diffusers Effectively
Now, the most crucial question arises - how to use feline pheromone diffusers effectively. Use the diffuser in places where your cat mostly plays or hangs out or where the problem behavior occurs to address the behavior and make them feel comfortable.
If it is a plug-in diffuser, like any electronic oil diffuser or air freshener, you only need to plug it into a standard electrical socket. Then, place a cartridge filled with synthetic pheromone oil or solution (a combination of chemicals created to mimic the cat’s pheromones). These scents help cats keep calm and reduce stress. But how does the oil produce scent? The cat calming diffuser warms up the oil, lets it disperse, and penetrates the room with calming scents for cats.
Conclusion
While pheromone diffusers are safe for cats, they must not be seen as a magical solution for aggressive behaviors. This is only one part of the solution, you need to incorporate proper behavior modification programs and keep them mentally and physically stimulated to help your cat stay stress-free.
