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Natural Awakenings Westchester / Putnam / Dutchess New York

Try Pheromones with Your Pets: Bobbi Pollack specializes in showing pet owners how to reduce fear/aggression responses and hyperactivity in their pets

Aug 02, 2013 06:18PM ● By By Bobbi Pollack

Junior wearing a calming collar infused with lavender & chamomile

Pets get agitated just like people do, and their stress is often manifested in their behavior, which can be destructive to their surroundings (house soiling) or even themselves (excessive licking). Unfortunately, pet owners often lack the tools to guide their pets past stressful situations.

One useful tool mimics animal pheromones, which mother animals naturally release to communicate a sense of comfort and safety to their offspring. Kittens and puppies react positively to pheromones, and this impacts their behavior. 

For example, pheromones can alleviate or eliminate urinary “marking,” stress from travelling, including vet visits, and fear of loud noises. They also can help pets cope with new or unfamiliar situations, such as visitors, and ease negative behaviors, including house soiling, barking/whining and excessive licking.

The best-known pheromone product is Feliway, which is available as a diffuser or a spray. There are also D.A.P. collars, which can be found in most pet stores as well as in some pet catalogs and online.

I speak from experience, having used a Sentry “calming collar” on my cat, who was very leery of visitors and noises and so skittish that I couldn’t pick him up. After I put the collar on him, he spent about 10 seconds trying to remove it, but then he calmed down. When we had friends visiting, he stayed with the company in front of our fireplace even when we played drums. (I was amazed!) Now I can pick him up and even trim his nails.

Bobbi Pollack specializes in showing pet owners how to reduce fear/aggression responses and hyperactivity in their pets using a combination of Tellington TTouch, flower essences and Reiki. For more info about these or other tools, contact her at BobbisHolisticCare.com or 914.769.1446.