By Jennifer Reed
Pets can experience stress just like humans do — but they don’t have to. If your pet is exhibiting signs of stress or anxiety, such as inappropriate elimination, hiding or vocalization, pheromone therapy may help.
Pheromone therapy uses synthetic copies of naturally occurring pheromones to help reduce stress, anxiety and other behavioral issues in dogs and cats. Imitation of these pheromones help stimulate feelings of calm and comfort.
How can you tell if your pet is stressed?
Symptoms of stress in cats may include:
Social tension, aggression or bullying in multiple cat households
Inappropriate elimination (urinating or defecating outside the litter box)
Vertical scratching or spraying
Hiding
In dogs, stress may be exhibited by:
Barking
Whimpering
House soiling
Salivation
Panting
These behaviors may be caused by a number of factors, including:
Changes in the household, such as moving, remodeling or the arrival of a new baby or pet
Traveling or boarding
Separation from owners
Unfamiliar or frightening noises, like fireworks
Unfortunately for some dogs and cats, visits to the vet can also be stressful.
Adaptil and Feliway wipes — single-use disposable pheromone wipes applied to the inside of a clean carrier, crate or any other hard surface — can help your pet feel more calm, safe and secure during trips to the veterinary hospital.
Pheromone therapy is also used throughout our facility, in exam rooms, boarding kennels and recovery areas, to promote a more relaxing experience for our patients.
At The Drake Center, we want your pet to be as comfortable as possible at our hospital and at home. If you need support managing your pet’s stress, please give us a call. We’re here to help!
Want to try a wipe for free? Stop by anytime to pick one up or ask us to drop one in the mail (while supplies last).
Learn more about Adaptil and Feliway here.