A long-lasting gel-based diffuser of feline pheromone can help reduce undesirable behaviors in cats at home: comparison with an electric diffuser

TL;DR

A new gel-based pheromone diffuser for cats was found to be as effective as an electric one in reducing stress-related behaviors, with the added benefit of being more convenient for long-term use.

Contribution

The study introduces and validates a long-acting, unpowered gel-based diffuser as a practical alternative to electric pheromone diffusers for managing cat behavior.

Findings

Zenifel® significantly improved six undesirable cat behaviors over time, while the reference product improved only four.

Both diffusers showed a significant improvement in a general behavior score starting from day 7.

Owners preferred Zenifel® for year-round use compared to the reference product (80% vs. 42%).

Abstract

Using pheromone diffusers is part of the strategy to control stress-related behaviors in cats (Felis catus). The goal of the study was to compare the efficacy of a novel long-acting, unpowered gel-based diffuser containing a facial pheromone analog (Zenifel® gel diffuser, Virbac) with a similar electrically powered feline pheromone diffuser that already has proven efficacy, on situational stress in cats, at home. The study involved 90 owners of cats presenting undesirable behaviors receiving one diffuser or the other: 46 received one gel diffuser and 44 received one plug-in device and a refill, for the 2-month study duration. The presence of the various undesirable behaviors was checked regularly and a general score was given to rate their presence. The most reported behaviors were related to hypervigilance, seeking the owner’s attention, hiding, excessive vocalization, inactivity, and excessive scratching. All six behaviors significantly improved over time with Zenifel® while only four improved with the reference product (no improvement for excessive meowing and inactivity). The general score significantly improved as of day 7 in both groups, with no difference between groups. More owners said they would use the product throughout the year with Zenifel® than with the reference product (80% vs. 42%, p < 0.05). Therefore, both diffusers can be used to help control undesirable behaviors of cats at home but Zenifel® is more convenient to use throughout the year.

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