{"id":374350,"date":"2018-11-20T08:30:18","date_gmt":"2018-11-20T13:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/?p=374350"},"modified":"2024-10-03T14:40:48","modified_gmt":"2024-10-03T18:40:48","slug":"cat-pheromones-for-aggression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catster.com\/cat-behavior\/cat-pheromones-for-aggression\/","title":{"rendered":"Cat Pheromones for Aggression: Vet Approved Facts & FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n <\/span>\n \nCat Pheromones Overview<\/a>
\nHow Cat Pheromones Are Given<\/a>
\nWhat Happens If You Miss a Dose?<\/a>
\nSide Effects<\/a>
\nFrequently Asked Questions<\/a>
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If you have the time, space, and financial ability, there are many benefits to owning more than one cat. The kitties can keep each other company when you\u2019re away, play together, and help each other exercise. However, not all adult cats get along right away, and aggression between housemates can quickly become stressful for you, too.<\/p>\n

One strategy for dealing with feline aggression is the use of cat pheromones. In this article, we\u2019ll cover the facts and answer frequently asked questions about using cat pheromones for aggression.<\/p>\n

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What Are Cat Pheromones?<\/h2>\n

Pheromones are chemical substances naturally produced by cats that serve as a communication method, detected by scent. Synthetic cat pheromone products like Feliway <\/a>mimic these natural chemical scents. Cats use the pheromone scent to mark their territory, as a sexual behavior, and to build social bonds between each other.<\/p>\n

Scientists have found as many as five separate chemical signals in cat pheromones, all of which serve different purposes.1<\/sup> <\/a>Synthetic pheromone products generally contain the version that relates to marking territory.<\/p>\n

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Photo Credit: Anna Kraynova, Shutterstock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How Are Cat Pheromones Given?<\/h2>\n

Synthetic cat pheromones are available as a spray or a room diffuser. You can also find calming collars infused with pheromones. If you\u2019re using a collar, follow the product directions for the best results. Cat pheromone sprays usually take about 15 minutes to reach peak effect.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re trying to calm your cat in the car or at the vet, spray their carrier or a blanket and wait.<\/p>\n

Pheromone diffusers function like any other plug-in product. Depending on how much square footage you need to cover, you may need to purchase more than one. The location is key when you\u2019re using a cat pheromone diffuser.<\/p>\n

Try to place diffusers in places where your cats spend a lot of their time. If your cats seem to fight in specific spots in your house frequently, try putting a diffuser there.<\/p>\n

What Happens If You Miss a Dose?<\/h2>\n

Cat pheromones aren\u2019t given as a measured dose, so there are really no issues if you \u201cmiss\u201d one. However, if your cats respond positively to pheromone therapy for aggression, you might notice an increase in bad behavior if you stop using it.<\/p>\n

However, one research study suggested that cat pheromones improved aggression between household cats even after their owners discontinued using the product.2<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Potential Side Effects of Cat Pheromones<\/h2>\n

There are currently no known potential side effects of using cat pheromones. The main concern with using them to manage aggression is that they don\u2019t always work. Every cat responds differently to synthetic pheromones; there\u2019s no way to predict how yours will react until you use the product.<\/p>\n

There aren\u2019t many studies evaluating the effectiveness of cat pheromones at this time. The study we mentioned in the previous section concluded that pheromones reduced feline aggression in multi-cat households. Another recent study supports the theory that pheromones help reduce anxiety for cats in carriers.<\/p>\n

If cat pheromones aren\u2019t working to reduce aggression and anxiety in your home, you may notice the following signs from one or more of your cats:<\/p>\n

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