November 16, 2009

PetScoop: WSJ Reviews Scents to De-Stress Your Pets -- Feliway and DAP

Does your pet suffer from anxiety, whether from thunderstorms, vet visits, travel, or separation issues? Many loving pet owners wonder if calming animal pheromone products are effective. The Wall Street Journal examines these Scents to De-Stress Your Pets:

Veterinarians say that pheromones do work--but not all the time. "They work on some animals, and not others," says veterinarian Bonnie Beaver, executive director of the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists in College Station, Texas. "They work in some situations but not in others."...
Overall, pheromone therapy appears to be less effective than drug therapies, such as antidepressants, typically used on pets with behavior problems, Dr. Landsberg says. But he recommends trying pheromones first, since they are easier to administer and have no side effects.

Exactly the conclusion we came to in our own trials, in both senses of the word. Read our review last summer, Thunderstorms, Fireworks, Vet Visits -- 3 Remedies to Reduce Anxiety and Calm Your Pet. We achieved most success administering Behavior Modification Drugs with basically no nasty side effects. Cheaper than DAP and Feliway too.

According to the WSJ article, the most-studied cat product is the Feliway brand -- Feliway Plug-In Diffuser and Feliway Spray. For your dog, the DAP -- D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Spray or in a relatively enclosed area plug in a D.A.P. Dog Appeasing Pheromone Electric Diffuser.

Read More in: Cats | Dogs | Health and Safety | Pet News

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