We’ve been discussing natural pet calmers, such as calcium and magnesium, and lavender oil. Now, let’s consider pheromones.
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are natural chemicals that reach the oldest, most primitive part of the brain called the rhinencephalon. This area of the brain links to other areas that control behaviors such as aggression (limbic system) and to the hypothalamus and reticular activation system with cells that stimulate the desire to eat, sleep, and relax.
Who benefits from pheromones?
Because pheromones reach from the most primitive cells upward, and not from the most sophisticated thinking and planning cells downward, pets don't need to think about being calm or wanting to rest. Pheromones bypass the frontal lobes where thinking and planning occur. Bypassing the thinking areas makes pheromones ideal for changing behavior in:
- pets that don't stop to think,
- the young puppy or kitten whose frontal lobes haven't begun to work well,
- the senior dog and cat whose frontal lobes are wearing out,
- and pets so anxious they cannot think.
What's in DAP for dogs?
The pheromone DAP helps calm dogs by simulating chemicals a nursing bitch releases. Dogs feel secure and loved, as though they were puppies back in the nurse box with their mothers.
What's in Feliway for cats?
The pheromone Feliway helps cats relax because it contains chemicals similar to those on cats’ chins. Cats love to rub their chins with these marking scents on their favorite objects—including us. When Feliway is released into their environment, they feel as though everywhere around them were safe, familiar territority.
DAP and Feliway are available as sprays or as atomizers that can be diffused into the air.
What's coming?
In a future blog, we’ll cover the hormone melatonin, herbs, and other calming agents.
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