Best Cat Pheromone Diffusers
Does your cat have behavioral issues you can’t curb with training. We’ve found the best cat pheromone diffusers to help you out with the problem.
Pheromone products for cats might be an option if your kitty is dealing with stress, acting aggressively, or exhibiting other behavioral issues. And the nice thing about taking this route is that it’s a natural approach, even though the products contain synthetic pheromones.
How do pheromone diffusers work? Well, they can have the same effect as the natural pheromones that are emitted by cats when they rub their faces on objects to mark their territory.
Cats communicate with the help of pheromones. So, when your kitty picks up on these feline pheromones (even the synthetic ones) through her vomeronasal organ, she’s able to interpret a message. And certain pheromones will tell her that she can feel calm and safe.
The highest quality feline pheromone products on the market mimic natural, calming pheromones. So, for example, if your kitty is going to the vet, you’re adding a new cat to the family, or you’re moving, using a cat pheromone product, like a diffuser, might help relieve some of the anxiety your pet experiences in stressful situations.
Why Choose Cat Pheromone Diffusers?
There are various types of feline pheromone products to choose from, including collars, wipes, sprays, and liquids. Diffusers, however, might be the way to go if you want to be able to cover a larger area with the pheromones, if your cat won’t tolerate wearing a collar, or if you want to rest assured that the pheromones will remain in the environment for an extended period of time. All you have to do is plug it in and let it do its thing!
Feline pheromone products that use artificial versions of natural pheromones, are considered safe for kitties, and they won’t affect other species. They aren’t associated with any side effects, and the pheromones don’t get into your pet’s bloodstream. All you have to do is choose the right type of diffuser, whether you want to promote a peaceful relationship between kitties who aren’t getting along or you want to help an anxious kitty feel more at ease.
Before You Shop, Consider Talking to Your Vet
Keep in mind that every cat is an individual, so some kitties might respond more to pheromone diffusers than others. Also, if your cat is showcasing behavioral problems, like urinating outside the litter box or exhibiting a high level of anxiety, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian for guidance. There might be an underlying health problem that needs to be addressed, or there might be other remedies that you can try to help your pet feel relaxed and secure in her environment.
Another Note Before We Move on to Our List of Recommendations
When shopping for a pheromone diffuser, look for one that doesn’t contain any other ingredients, like essential oils ( some essential oils are bad for cats) or pheromones for other species.
Keep in mind that pheromones are both colorless and odorless, and they are species-specific. So, if you buy a product that is for dogs, for example, it won’t work on your cat. Basically, you want to be sure that you’re buying a feline-specific pheromone product that will send the right message to your kitty.
Now, on to our list of recommendations for cat pheromone diffusers.
When You Want to Help a Single Cat Who’s Experiencing Stress
1. Editor’s Choice: Feliway Classic
Feliway Classic is a feline pheromone diffuser designed to help kitties who are spraying and using their urine to mark territory, as well as those who are exhibiting other negative behaviors like hiding or scratching. It is clinically proven, as well as veterinary used and recommended. It can also be used to help soothe and comfort kitties that are dealing with a challenging situation, or are in a stressful environment – e.g. after a move or when a new four-legged friend joins the family. Some kitties are so sensitive that even rearranging furniture can stress them out, and a pheromone diffuser can greatly help keep the stress to the minimum.
Using it as directed can provide results within about a week, so you shouldn’t expect your cat’s behavior to change immediately. The pheromones released by this product will help create an environment in which your pet feels comfortable and calm. And the results are continuous, which is definitely a plus.
To use this product, start by screwing the vial onto the diffuser unit. Then, all you have to do is plug the diffuser into an electric socket (it can work in horizontal outlets as well). Leaving it plugged in will allow the pheromones to be released continually into your home, and it can cover up to 700 square feet. If you need to cover more space, you’ll need more than one diffuser.
Be sure to place the diffuser in an area where your pet spends a lot of time, or in an area where negative behaviors are taking place, such as where your cat is spraying. Just avoid plugging it into a socket that’s behind a door, furniture, or curtains, or that’s under shelves, as doing so might limit the ability of the pheromones to spread throughout the environment.
When you run out, you can purchase refills. The product should last about a month before you need to get a refill, and the manufacturer recommends replacing the diffuser itself every six months. This diffuser covers up to 700 square feet, so have that in mind when buying.
Overall, this is a great place to start if you’re looking for a high-quality feline pheromone diffuser. Just be sure to read all of the product information carefully to be sure you use it properly.
2. Runner Up: Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser Kit for Cats and Kittens
The Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser Kit for Cats and Kittens contains two times more calming feline pheromones compared to some competitors’ products. It may help with calming cats that are stressed, and it might help with reducing urine spraying, as well as limiting unwanted scratching.
According to the manufacturer, most cats will begin to show improvement in their behavior after two weeks, but this will vary from one kitty to another. All you have to do is plug the diffuser into an unobstructed outlet so that the pheromones can be released and cover the room. For the best results, it’s a good idea to choose an area of your home where your pet spends the most time. You will likely need to buy several diffusers to cover more then one room.
A few things to know about this product: the diffuser will be warm to the touch, which is normal because this helps to release the pheromones, which are fragrance free. The diffuser will also release a slight vapor as the pheromones are activated. And the diffuser has a Shut Off feature that helps prevent overheating and fire.
Refills can be replaced every month, while the diffuser can be replaced every year.
3. Honorable Mention: ThunderEase Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser
ThunderEase Multi-Cat Calming Diffuser has been tested to be over 90% effective for reducing stress in felines, so it makes a great choice for a home where there are several cats in need of soothing and calming. Whether the issue is destructive clawing, anxiety, urine spraying, or aggression, this diffuser can help – the pheromones it emits mimic natura mother’s nursing pheromones which induce calmness in kitties. It is particularly practical in cases where there’s conflict or fighting between cats in the household, as it is potent enough for multi-cat families. It will continuously release calming pheromones for up to 30 days, which is more than enough for your kitties to get their ducks in order. The diffuser covers 700 square feet of space.
3. Best Multi-Cat: Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit
One of the biggest problems that cat owners face when introducing new cats into the mix is that not every cat will get along. Especially in the beginning! While this may just be a result of stress from the changes, it is often caused by aggression from the cats involved. The Feliway MultiCat Calming Diffuser Kit helps to reduce these aggressive behaviors, reducing behaviors ranging from staring and hissing to chasing and fighting.
The biggest difference between this model and the previously mentioned Feliway Classic is the behaviors that it works to target. While the Feliway Classic targets bad habits like urine spraying or scratching, the Feliway MultiCat is focused on reducing the stress that comes from conflict between cats. The company confirms that the two can be used at the same time if both are needed.
Feliway MultiCat is credited as being the number 1 vet-recommended solution to addressing issues with fighting among cats, reducing the frequency of issues and lowering the intensity of conflicts when they do arise. In doing so, it helps to create a calmer, more relaxed home and reduces the risk of injuries resulting from fighting.
A single diffuser can cover up to 700 square feet. You will start to see changes in your cats’ behavior after approximately 7 days of the diffuser running continuously. Refills are estimated to last approximately 30 days before being replaced.
4. Best Pack: Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser Home Kit for Cats and Kittens
For households with two or more cats that aren’t getting along, the Comfort Zone Multi-Cat Diffuser Home Kit for Cats and Kittens might be a great way to make everyone feel more at ease. It contains two times more calming pheromones compared to some of their competitors’ products, so it can help with a variety of aggressive behaviors, from hissing to fighting.
Designed to calm stressed cats, limit conflict and fighting, and reduce multi-cat tension, the manufacturer claims that most cats show improvement in their behavior after about two weeks, but this can vary depending on your unique pet.
Whether you are introducing a new cat or you have kitties who haven’t been getting along for a while, it might be worth giving this feline pheromone diffuser a try. Again, all you have to do is plug it into the an area where your kitties spend a lot of time and let the pheromones make their way through the environment.
Like the Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser Kit for Cats and Kittens, this diffuser will become warm to the touch to help release the pheromones, which are fragrance free. There will also be a slight vapor as the pheromones are activated, and the diffuser will have a Shut Off feature for preventing overheating and fire.
Each diffuser can cover one room. Refills can be replaced every 30 days, and you can replace the diffuser every year.
5. Best for Scratching: Sentry Behavior Diffuser for Cats
Scientifically proven to reduce stress-related behaviors, Sentry Behavior Diffuser for Cats releases pheromones that help with anxiety, aggression, and other stress-induced destructive behaviors. It can even help with excessive scratching, urine marking, and constant meowing, as most are brought on by stress in the first place. The effects of the pheromones work for up to 30 days, as they continually affect your cat’s mood and behavior by soothing them throughout each day. The diffuser is safe to use on cats of all sizes and life stages, and it doesn’t come with side-effects as some anti-anxiety drugs have – it is safe and doesn’t have any long-term effects when used as directed.
Have a Stressed Out Cat? Feline Pheromones Might Help!
With so many feline pheromone diffusers on the market, you can find one that can help your frazzled feline feel calm and content. Again, if you have questions or concerns about these products, talk to your veterinarian for personalized guidance. Overall, if you’re in search of a natural way to help your kitty feel more comfortable, these diffusers are definitely worth considering.
What to consider when choosing a pheromone diffuser for my cat?
All cat pheromone diffusers work the same way, but there are some differences to factor in. The first thing to look for is the coverage of the device – see how much square footage it covers, and if needed, buy more than one. Similarly, the diffusers don’t last the same, and some need replacing more often than others – pick the option that is more convenient and cost-effective for your needs. Some diffusers also have a scent added (for your benefit, not the pet’s), so if that is important to you, go for those that emit a fragrance in addition to the pheromones.
How long does it take for a pheromone diffuser to work?
It all depends on the severity of symptoms and how long your cat has been experiencing them. The longer the issues persisted and the more serious they are, the longer it will take the pheromones to start doing their “magic”. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from within a week to a full month for the effects on your cat’s behavior to become apparent.
Do cat pheromone diffusers affect humans?
No, cat pheromone diffusers don’t affect humans in any way. The pheromones used in these diffusers are species-specific and will work on felines only. You won’t even be able to sense the scent!
How do I know if the diffuser is working?
This can be tricky, as the diffuser won’t make any sound or release anything visible by the naked eye – no mist, steam, or anything of the sort. In the beginning, you won’t be able to figure out if the diffuser is actually doing anything, but after a while you’ll see the level of liquid in the diffuser bottle lowering, indicating that the diffuser is busy doing its job. Not to mention that the changes in your cat’s behavior will show you that the diffuser is working as intended!
How can I tell if my cat is expressing stress?
Symptoms of stress in cats can be both physical and behavioral. Physical symptoms of stress in cats include lethargy, poor appetite or interest in eating inedible things, overgrooming, diarrhea, vomiting – and that’s just to name a few. And when it comes to changes in behavior due to stress, you’ll notice any abrupt changes in your pet’s routine, such as peeing or pooping outside the litterbox, aggression, clinginess, tendency to hide, excessive scratching or meowing, or urine spraying. Just have in mind that some of these symptoms might also signify an underlying medical issue, so be sure to consult with a vet for a proper diagnosis to eliminate any health problems from the get-go.
Are pheromone diffusers bad for cats?
Studies indicate no side effects or adverse reaction to using pheromone diffusers for cats, as long as they are used properly. This means that your pet shouldn’t lick or ingest the synthetic pheromone, only inhale it as directed. Just keep your curious kitty’s tongue away from the diffuser and all will be OK!
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Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.
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