The products featured here come from reputable brands in the pet space. I prioritized products clinically proven to be effective and those recommended by veterinarians. I also considered product design, the amount of pheromones dispensed, and cost. What Are Cat Pheromone Products? Cats in multi-cat households are more prone to stress, which can lead to unwanted behaviors such as hissing, chasing, and aggressive behaviors. Appeasing pheromones can help restore harmony and ease tensions between cats. ‘Territory’ Pheromones Remember it is important to find the cause of any signs of stress in your cat. We’d always recommend visiting your vet if their behaviour suddenly changes.

Pheromone diffusers and sprays mimic these natural cat-appeasing pheromones to calm feline nerves. In turn, they should curb stress-induced behaviors like excessive vocalization, scratching, hiding, and fighting among cats. They’re often used in vet clinics or shelters to relax cats. Synthetic pheromones won’t work for every cat, but many cat parents report noticeable differences in their pet’s behavior after using them. This bSerene diffuser is a relative newcomer on the market. What caught my eye was that it contains both types of pheromones: facial and mammary. So, it calms cats on an individual level and helps them to get along. This makes it a good choice for households with constant cat battles.Owners will often use pheromones to help their cat when they are showing signs of stress. You can read more about stress in our guide. In the world of cat pheromone products, Feliway is by far the most well-known and reputable. I tested the single-cat “Classic” formula, which releases the feline facial pheromone. Feliway also carries a multi-cat version for relieving tensions among feline housemates. These chemical signals play a hugely important role in feline communication and behavior. Pheromone glands are mostly found around the face, including the chin, cheeks, forehead, mouth, and lower ears. Synthetic cat pheromones can take a few different forms. The type that’s best for you will depend on how you plan to use it. For instance, consider whether your cat needs 24/7 nerve control, or her stress is more situational. Also, consider whether you’re trying to reduce general stress, or if you need to calm inter-cat tensions and fighting.

Synthetic pheromones mimic your cat’s natural chemical signals, meaning we can influence their use in our homes (with a diffuser) or out and about (with sprays) to help enrich our cats’ happiness and prevent unwanted behaviors. Pheromone products are species-specific—meaning they won’t be detectable or useful for dogs, humans, or other pets. But they’re completely safe to use around other animals who share your cat’s space. Pets and small children should be supervised around them though. Cat pheromone products are becoming increasingly popular, and are marketed for all sorts of feline unwanted behaviors, from scratching furniture to urine spraying and even aggression. Dogs also use pheromones, and an interesting study in 2020 looked at using pheromones in households with both cats and dogs, using both cat and dog pheromones. Both species pheromones led to improved inter-pet relationships and reduced anxiety in both cats and dogs.

pheromone sprays. Artificial pheromone sprays are ideal for using on things like blankets, cat carriers for vet visits and your cat’s bedding to help relax them

Cats have glands on their head, cheeks, paw pads, and tail that release natural “feel-good” chemicals called pheromones. These odorless signals allow cats to communicate and mark objects as safe and familiar. This is why your kitty likes to head-butt you. It’s their way of saying, “This is my human—they are safe.” It’s a minor detail, but I appreciated this diffuser’s streamlined design, which looked considerably sleeker than the Feliway. On the downside, it’s the only diffuser we tested that doesn’t have rotating electrical prongs to fit horizontal outlets. What We Liked:To avoid leaking and risk of fire, diffusers must be upright, with the vents facing up. Conveniently, the Feliway’s electrical prongs rotate to accommodate horizontal outlets. Another feature that caught my eye was a green light indicating it was on. Personally, I liked this detail, but some found it too bright. The feline facial pheromones (f3) are comforting and calming pheromones and help cats feel secure and happy. Synthetic f3 is found in the pheromone product Feliway Classic and is useful for multiple types of stress-related behavior, such as urine spraying outside the litter box, hiding away, and even aggression. It also offers slightly more coverage—750 square feet vs. the usual 650-700. However, like the other diffusers, this is based on an open floor plan and will only be effective in one room. Another bonus: bSerene vials are said to last longer than most other diffusers. According to the company, each refill should last about 45 days, considerably longer than the typical 30-day use. PHEROMONE TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE FEELINGS OF REASSURANCE AND WELL-BEING: When cats feel relaxed and happy, they mark objects, people, other animals and their territory with Feline Facial Pheromones (FFP). When they return, they identify the area as safe and reassured. Beaphar CatComfort® contains a copy of Feline Facial Pheromone, which is instantly recognisable to all cats helping to comfort them and reduce unwanted behaviour. Cat pheromones are scent chemicals, released by special scent glands all over your cat’s body, including their cheeks, paws, and chin. Your cat, and others, can then ‘smell’ these chemical signals using a special organ called the vomeronasal organ, located on the roof of their mouth.