A long-lasting gel-based diffuser of feline pheromone can help reduce undesirable behaviors in cats at home: comparison with an electric diffuser.
| Autor: | Espuña G; GM&MD Department, Virbac SA, Carros, France., Nicolas CS; MU Petfood Petcare, Virbac SA, Carros, France., Girardin A; MU Petfood Petcare, Virbac SA, Carros, France., Fatjó J; Ethometrix Ltd., East Sussex, United Kingdom., Bowen J; Ethometrix Ltd., East Sussex, United Kingdom., Monginoux P; MU Petfood Petcare, Virbac SA, Carros, France., Rème CA; MU Petfood Petcare, Virbac SA, Carros, France. |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Zdroj: | Frontiers in veterinary science [Front Vet Sci] 2024 Aug 29; Vol. 11, pp. 1445108. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 29 (Print Publication: 2024). |
| DOI: | 10.3389/fvets.2024.1445108 |
| Abstrakt: | 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. Competing Interests: GE, CN, AG, PM, and CR were employed by the company Virbac SA. JF and JB were directors of the company Ethometrix Ltd. JF and JB received funding from Virbac SA for their consulting services on this manuscript. The authors declare that this study received funding from Virbac SA. The funder had the following involvement in the study: study design, analysis, interpretation of data, the writing of this article and the decision to submit it for publication. (Copyright © 2024 Espuña, Nicolas, Girardin, Fatjó, Bowen, Monginoux and Rème.) |
| Databáze: | MEDLINE |
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