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 <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.

Pheromones are natural substances produced and excreted by cats and affect behavioural reactions<ref>Kelliher, K.R. The combined role of the main olfactory and vomeronasal systems in social communication in mammals. Horm Behav 2007; 52:561-70</ref>. 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<ref>C.A. Griffith, E.S. Steigerwald, C.A.T. Buffington. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217 (2000), pp. 1154–1156</ref><ref>Y. Kakuma, J. Bradshaw. Effects of a feline facial pheromone analogue on stress in shelter cats: Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine. British Columbia, Vancouver (2001), pp. 218–220</ref> (such as moving house, transport, presence of other animals) so that the home or environment is less threatening. It has been particularly beneficial in supporting cohabitation and alleviating tension in multicat households and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. It can also be used to help control urine spraying in the home by cats <ref>Mills, D.S., Mills C.B. Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. Veterinary Record 2001;149:197-199 doi:10.1136/vr.149.7.197</ref><ref>W. Hunthausen. Evaluating a feline facial pheromone analogue to control urine spraying.Vet Med, 95 (2000), pp. 151–155</ref><ref>D.F. Frank, H.N. Erb, K.A. Houpt. Urine spraying in cats: presence of concurrent disease and effects of a pheromone treatment. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 61 (1999), pp. 263–272</ref>.

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<ref>C.A. Griffith, E.S. Steigerwald, C.A.T. Buffington. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217 (2000), pp. 1154–1156</ref><ref>Y. Kakuma, J. Bradshaw. Effects of a feline facial pheromone analogue on stress in shelter cats: Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine. British Columbia, Vancouver (2001), pp. 218–220</ref> (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 mild-moderate cat to cat aggression within the same household<ref>Heath, S. Feline aggression. In: Horwitz D., Mills, D., Heath, S. editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 1st edition. Gloucester (UK) : BSAVA; 2002. p. 216-28.</ref> and in supporting cohabitation and alleviating tension in multicat households and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. It can also be used to help control urine spraying in the home by cats <ref>Mills, D.S., Mills C.B. Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. Veterinary Record 2001;149:197-199 doi:10.1136/vr.149.7.197</ref><ref>W. Hunthausen. Evaluating a feline facial pheromone analogue to control urine spraying.Vet Med, 95 (2000), pp. 151–155</ref><ref>D.F. Frank, H.N. Erb, K.A. Houpt. Urine spraying in cats: presence of concurrent disease and effects of a pheromone treatment. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 61 (1999), pp. 263–272</ref>.

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, usually a behaviour carried out when the cat feels relaxed in their environment<ref>P. Pageat, E. Gaultier. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am (Small Anim Pract), 33 (2003), pp. 187–211</ref>

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, usually a behaviour carried out when the cat feels relaxed in their environment<ref>P. Pageat, E. Gaultier. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am (Small Anim Pract), 33 (2003), pp. 187–211</ref>