Dogs
Dog-appeasing pheromone products are synthetic versions of a chemical compound naturally secreted by lactating mother dogs during nursing. These are odorless but are detected by a dog’s vomeronasal organ, which is connected not only to the olfactory system (your dog’s sense of smell), but also to the amygdala and hypothalamus — important parts of a dog’s brain that affect behavior and nervous system reactions. This organ allows dogs to taste and smell pheromones. You might notice a dog make a funny face after smelling something, almost like they are “tasting” the smell. This is called the flehmen response, and while it isn’t seen as often in dogs as it is in cats, horses, or other animals, when dogs are processing the smell you might see them flicking their tongues or smacking their mouth to better gather all the pheromone’s information. When a dog smells the dog-appeasing pheromones that they have associated with the safety and comfort of their mother and littermates, their autonomic nervous system (which is responsible for the reactions of fight, flight, rest, and relaxation) responds in a positive way, helping them relax and stay calm. For this reason, pheromones have been widely suggested for helping dogs during transitional periods or with anxieties and phobias.
How to Use Pheromones for Your Dog
Follow these tips to get the most benefits from using dog-appeasing pheromones with your dog:
- When you first bring a new puppy home
- When bringing home an adopted dog
- During puppy play dates and dog training classes
- During thunderstorm season
- Before and during veterinary visits
- When guests or visitors come to your home
- During car rides or other travel that might cause your dog anxiety
Do pheromone products work for all pets?
Pheromone diffusers, sprays, or collars do tend to work for the majority of pets, however, some pets are less sensitive to them.
We always recommend using pheromone products in conjunction with other methods, such as positive reinforcement training to modify unwanted behaviors, and environmental changes if required.
For more severely anxious cats or dogs, you should also speak to your veterinarian about anti-anxiety medications.
Pheromone products mimic natural pheromones produced by dogs and cats. They are not a drug and don’t enter your pet’s bloodstream, so they’re considered very safe and low risk.
Pheromones work on a species-to-species basis, so cat pheromones will work on cats and dog pheromones will work on dogs. They won’t impact other species or humans.
At Small Door, we recommend pheromone diffusers and sprays made by Feliway for cats, as they are a reputable brand with a history of clinical scientific research. Feliway also has product lines geared specifically towards multi-cat households (Feliway MultiCat) as well as cats who exhibit general anxiety (Feliway Classic) or inappropriate scratching behaviors (Feliway FeliScratch).
Cats in particular can benefit from pheromone use at the vet! Whenever your cat comes to see our doctors, we use sprays and diffusers to make the experience as stress free as possible. You might also consider spraying your cat’s carrier with pheromones before bringing them to the vet, to help them stay calm during the journey.
For dogs, we recommend products by Adaptil. They make collars, diffusers, and sprays to help relax your pup.
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A change in routine or exposure to loud or new noises, among many other causes, can bring about significant changes in your pet’s behavior.
Behavioral changes are a good indication that your pet is stressed by something, says Dr. Jennifer Coates, a veterinarian in Fort Collins, Colorado.
“You know your pet best,” says Dr. Coates. “Sometimes the changes you notice are caused by a medical problem, but just like us, pets can experience purely mental or emotional stress.”
Although you might think medication is needed to calm your pet’s anxiety, there are many natural remedies that can work, too. It just takes time to figure out which one(s) your pet responds to the best.
As natural and holistic remedies are becoming more and more popular, the same holds true for canines. Both Dr. Coates and holistic veterinarian Dr. Laurie Coger recommend always going to your vet first so they can diagnose the root cause of the stress and rule out a more serious medical or behavioral issue.
Once your vet has confirmed that it’s not a health issue, these natural stress remedies for pets could be precisely what your pet needs to return to his normal, happy self.
Sometimes, your stress becomes your pet’s stress. If a crazy work schedule means you aren’t taking your dog for the regular walks he’s become accustomed to, he’ll feel anxiety.
The change in routine, the loneliness and the feeling of being cooped up are all possible contributors to stress that can be eliminated by simply taking your pup outside to stretch his legs and get some fresh air.
A tired dog is a happy dog, and sometimes, the best home remedy for dog anxiety is getting them out of the house and letting them exercise. Even old dogs need regular exercise, as long as it involves activities that are easier on their aging joints.
As Dr. Coger explains, this stress-relief technique works on several levels. For instance, teaching your dog a new trick diverts his attention away from whatever is causing the stress in the first place.
You’re also engaging with him one-on-one—something many stressed dogs crave from their owners after long days alone at home. “A lot of dogs develop stress behaviors out of boredom,” she says. “But that can be avoided by simply having some fun together.”
We often think that tiredness only comes from physical exertion, but mental exertion can have the same calming effects. It doesn’t matter what new trick you teach your dog—anything that challenges him can provide stress relief.
Taking a different route for a “scent walk” can provide both physical exercise and extra stimulation as your dog sniffs new bushes and meets new neighbors.
Adding enrichment to your pet’s day by feeding him from a puzzle ball or toy provides additional mental stimulation. There is no rule that says animals should only eat out of a bowl!
A 2017 study by the Scottish SPCA and the University of Glasgow showed that the right music could be effective in decreasing signs of anxiety in dogs.
The researchers observed groups of dogs with various types of music playing. After a week, they played a different genre of music. They found that soft rock and reggae music were the most effective, but individual dogs had distinct preferences.
Playing your pet’s favorite music at a low volume can add another layer of calm to your pet’s environment. But first make sure that your dog does indeed appreciate it by watching your dogs body language.