The Scoop

Pheromones Effective at Decreasing Feline Aggression

A new study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery provides good news for multi-cat households dealing with aggressive cats.

Written by: Jackie Brown

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Catster Editorial Team

A recent study looking at the effectiveness of using pheromone diffusers for aggression in multi-cat households discovered that cats exposed to feline-appeasing pheromones exhibited less infighting than those who were not exposed to the pheromones.

The study, published in May in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, evaluated 45 cats; 17 received the pheromones and 25 received a placebo. Over 28 days, cats rated on a scaling system.

Those exposed to pheromones saw significant decrease in aggression compared to the control group, and the positive effects of the pheromones continued for two weeks after the treatment ended.

Read more cat news on Catster.com:

Featured Image Credit: Chandra AP, Shutterstock

About the Author

Jackie Brown

Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet publishing industry. She is contributing writer for National Geographic’s Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care (April 2019) and author of the book It’s Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases (Lumina Press, 2006). Jackie is a regular contributor to pet and veterinary industry media and is the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101 and the Popular Cats Series. Prior to starting her career in publishing, Jackie spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons and miniature poodle Jäger. Reach her at jackiebrownwriter.wordpress.com.