Changes

==Overview==

==Overview==

Pheromonotherapy may be used to assist behavioural therapy. It is thought that the effect of pheromones on distinct behaviours can be explained by stress reduction, providing some safe substitutes for resolution of behavioural disorders. (Paget P. and Gaultier E. 2003. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am-Small 33:201-208). In contrast to pharmacological treatment of behavioural conditions pheromones have no side effects of toxicity. Use is external via either a diffuser or spray. The simultaneous use of pheromonotherapy and anti-anxiety medications may produce a faster resolution of conditions than if either were to be used alone.

Pheromonotherapy may be used to assist behavioural therapy. It is thought that the effect of pheromones on distinct behaviours can be explained by stress reduction, providing some safe substitutes for resolution of behavioural disorders <ref>Paget P. and Gaultier E. 2003. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am-Small 33:201-208</ref>. In contrast to pharmacological treatment of behavioural conditions pheromones have no side effects. Use is external via either a diffuser or spray. The simultaneous use of pheromonotherapy and anti-anxiety medications may produce a faster resolution of conditions than if either were to be used alone. Pheromonotherapy can also be a useful adjunct for treatment of behavioural problems in older pets, or those with already existing medical conditions where pharmacological treatment may cause adverse effects due to interactions with existing medication. In addition there is no minimum recommended age for the use of pheromones in young pets.

==F3==

==F3==

The pheromone F3 ([http://www.feliway.com Feliway]) is a synthetic analogue of pheromones from feline cheek glands, known as the ‘familiarisation pheromone’. It can be used to reduce general anxiety in stressful situations (such as moving house, transport, presence of other animals) so that the home or training environment is less threatening. It has been particularly beneficial in cases of cat to cat aggression within the same household and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances.

The pheromone F3 ([http://www.feliway.com Feliway]) is a synthetic analogue of pheromones from feline cheek glands, known as the ‘familiarisation pheromone’. It can be used to reduce general anxiety in stressful situations (such as moving house, transport, presence of other animals) so that the home or environment is less threatening. It has been particularly beneficial in cases of cat to cat aggression within the same household and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances.

The use of F3 diffusers (Feliway) can simulate the effect of dense facial and flank marking within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them.  

The use of F3 diffusers (Feliway) can simulate the effect of dense facial and flank marking within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them.  

==F4==

==F4==

F4 (Felifriend) is a social pheromone used by cats to identify familiar individuals and when applied to unfamiliar individuals this can increase the cat’s tendency to approach and show affiliative behaviour. This can also be useful because it reduces escape responses. Combinations of pheromone therapies are especially helpful when the target of aggression is a member of the family or regular visitor to the household of a cat that has been recently re-homed. F4 may produce dissonant emotional states (which can induce a panic reaction) when the person or animal to whom F4 has been applied is already familiar to the cat from some aversive encounter and therefore invokes visual triggering of hostile responses. Further work in this area is essential but at the moment F4 should be used with care, applying it only to unfamiliar individuals, preferably from species with which the cat was socialised as a kitten.

F4 (Felifriend) is a synthetic pheromone analogue used by cats to identify familiar individuals and when applied to unfamiliar individuals this can increase the cat’s tendency to approach and show affiliative behaviour. This can also be useful because it reduces escape responses. Combinations of pheromone therapies are especially helpful when the target of aggression is a member of the family or regular visitor to the household of a cat that has been recently re-homed. F4 may produce dissonant emotional states (which can induce a panic reaction) when the person or animal to whom F4 has been applied is already familiar to the cat from some aversive encounter and therefore invokes visual triggering of hostile responses. Further work in this area is essential but at the moment F4 should be used with care, applying it only to unfamiliar individuals, preferably from species with which the cat was socialised as a kitten.

The pheromone F4 ought to be very useful for treating inter-cat aggression within the household, but unfortunately there have been problems with its practical use. F4 signals indicate familiarity, but with cats that have already had a number of aggressive encounters there may be a dissonance between the memory of the visual appearance of the aggressor cat and the chemical ‘familiarity’ signal. This has been seen to trigger apparent panic and violent outbursts. F4 is not recommended for treating inter-cat aggression within the household, but is very useful for reducing fear of unfamiliar people and other animals and for helping in the introduction of a new member of the household.

The pheromone F4 ought to be very useful for treating inter-cat aggression within the household, but unfortunately there have been problems with its practical use. F4 signals indicate familiarity, but with cats that have already had a number of aggressive encounters there may be a dissonance between the memory of the visual appearance of the aggressor cat and the chemical ‘familiarity’ signal. This has been seen to trigger apparent panic and violent outbursts. F4 is not recommended for treating inter-cat aggression within the household, but is very useful for reducing fear of unfamiliar people and other animals and for helping in the introduction of a new member of the household.

*F3 spray can also be used as a deterrent for scratch marking in the home: one squirt is applied daily to the claw marking location. An alternative claw marking location should be provided nearby.

*F3 spray can also be used as a deterrent for scratch marking in the home: one squirt is applied daily to the claw marking location. An alternative claw marking location should be provided nearby.

Heath, S. Chapeter 5, Common Feline Behavioural Problems, Feline Medicine and Therapeutics

Heath, S. Chapeter 5, Common Feline Behavioural Problems, Feline Medicine and Therapeutics