If you have ever traveled with an anxious cat or are planning to move home, you might have heard about a cat pheromone diffuser. While the word pheromone is quite common in the feline and wolf world, not all pet owners are aware of the effects or benefits of using such devices. Moreover, cat parents often worry about artificial pheromone diffusers’ safety and side effects. 

So, how do these diffusers work, and can you use them without any adverse effects on your feline? This blog will address these and many other crucial questions begging you and fellow cat parents worldwide.

What Are Cat Pheromone Diffusers?

Before describing the device, we should recap what a pheromone is. Simply put, a pheromone is a chemical that affects the olfactory senses of cats and animals and has a characteristic smell. Not all cats smell the same, and not all pheromones do. In the feline world, smell and pheromones are significant sources of communication, unlike in the human world, where we depend on words. For communicative purposes, cats can produce various kinds of pheromones, such as distress pheromones and marking pheromones.

Based on this description, a feline pheromone diffuser is a device that sprays artificial cat pheromones, putting them in the form of sprays. These devices work as automatic room fresheners but release cat pheromones instead of perfume.

Do Pheromone Diffusers Work For Cats?

Many pet owners believe that pheromone diffusers work for cats. These artificial scent sprayers promote relaxation, reduce stress, and curb bad habits. Cat owners have taken great interest in what is known as pheromone therapy, which is a way of destressing a cat by using natural or artificial felines. Here are some situations where pheromone diffusers are proven to work for cats;

• Traveling: Cats are sensitive to smell and rely on familiar scents to feel comfortable and safe. Yet, the onslaught of various scents while traveling can make cats anxious. Using a cat diffuser inside a cat carrier has proven to keep felines calm during the journey.
• Changing Homes: When moving to a new place, it is necessary to take precautions so nothing can trigger your cat’s anxiety. One effective way to help your cat adjust is to use a pheromone diffuser to make the place smell familiar. Using a feline pheromone diffuser while moving homes has proven to be a game changer for many.
• Destressing Cats: Felines often face mental pressure and emotional stress for different reasons, such as the owner’s prolonged absence from home. Health issues and pain can also cause anxiety in cats. While your primary step in case of health issues should be visiting a vet, you can also use a pheromone diffuser to help your feline friend relax. 

Finding The Best Cat Pheromone Diffuser

The choice for a pheromone diffuser depends on the cat’s parent. Consider consulting with your vet before making the final decision, or you might want to experiment with a few products and cases to see which suits your cat the best. Based on online reviews and client satisfaction rates, here are our top picks.

Feliway Cat Pheromone Diffuser

The Feliway Classic is by far the most liked product by pet parents. It contains feline facial pheromones and can help improve your cat’s disturbing behavior. You can plug the pheromone diffuser into a power outlet and let it work its magic. The green indicator light will let you know that the device is working, as the vapors are not visible to the naked eye, and the smell is usually faint for human senses. This pheromone diffuser is effective for stress signs such as urine spraying, scratching, and hiding.

bSerene Advanced Pheromone Calming Diffuser Kit

If you have multiple cats that like to get into cat fights, the bSerene Advanced Pheromone Calming Diffuser kit might help restore peace in your home. Unlike other pheromone diffusers, this one has both facial and mammary pheromones, and the vile lasts 45 days. This multi-cat pheromone diffuser has a sleek design that is not bulky or heavy but does not have rotating electrical prongs to fit horizontal outlets.

ThunderEase Calming Diffuser

For cat parents with irregular schedules and prolonged stays away from home, the ThunderEase Calming Diffuser might be a good option. This product is clinically proven to ease separation anxiety in 90% of cats and offers multiple-cat and single-cat formulas. Affordable and practical, this pheromone diffuser also features rotatable electrical prongs that fit multiple outlets.

Cat Pheromone Diffuser Effects On Humans

Do pheromone diffusers affect humans in any way? Interestingly, humans can not smell cat pheromones, except for the rare cases when you cuddle with your feline friend, and they release calming pheromones to help you relax. As human olfactory senses are underdeveloped compared to the millions of smell sensors cats have, pheromone diffusers do not affect humans in any way. 

Are Cat Pheromone Diffusers Safe?

While pheromone diffusers seem effective in many cases, many pet owners worry about the safety of their furry friends. They wonder whether using artificial cat pheromones will adversely affect their cat or cause feline health issues. These worries are highly justified because your cat’s safety comes first, no matter what. Fortunately, a pheromone diffuser is safe for cats and has no adverse effects. Still, if you are unsure whether to opt for an artificial pheromone diffuser, we recommend consulting with your vet before making the final decision.

Conclusion

A cat pheromone diffuser can be helpful if your cat is under a lot of stress and showing distress signs such as scratching, vocalizing, and urine marking. Artificial cat pheromones are available in vile and spray form and can be used in different scenarios, such as travel, moving houses, or general stress due to health issues. However, we recommend consulting with your vet before opting for cat pheromone therapy, as the stress signs might be symptoms of underlying cat diseases.