Gel-based cat pheromone diffuser helps reduce stress behaviors at home

Abstract

Using pheromone diffusers is part of the strategy to control stress-related behaviors in cats (). The goal of the study was to compare the efficacy of a novel long-acting, unpowered gel-based diffuser containing a facial pheromone analog (Zenifelgel diffuser, Virbac) with a similar electrically powered feline pheromone diffuser that already has proven efficacy, on situational stress in cats, at home. The study involved 90 owners of cats presenting undesirable behaviors receiving one diffuser or the other: 46 received one gel diffuser and 44 received one plug-in device and a refill, for the 2-month study duration. The presence of the various undesirable behaviors was checked regularly and a general score was given to rate their presence. The most reported behaviors were related to hypervigilance, seeking the owner's attention, hiding, excessive vocalization, inactivity, and excessive scratching. All six behaviors significantly improved over time with Zenifelwhile only four improved with the reference product (no improvement for excessive meowing and inactivity). The general score significantly improved as of day 7 in both groups, with no difference between groups. More owners said they would use the product throughout the year with Zenifelthan with the reference product (80% vs. 42%,&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Therefore, both diffusers can be used to help control undesirable behaviors of cats at home but Zenifelis more convenient to use throughout the year.