Efficacy of a pheromone-impregnated collar in controlling feline problem behaviors, and an assessment of adverse events associated with collar use
Efficacy of a pheromone-impregnated collar in controlling feline problem behaviors, and an assessment of adverse events associated with collar use
Open access
In our edition of: Feb 2025
In our categories of: small animals
our summary:
Endersby, S., Billy, C. and de Jaeger, X. (2024) Efficacy of a pheromone-impregnated collar in controlling feline problem behaviors, and an assessment of adverse events associated with collar use Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11.
The aim of this blinded randomised placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the efficacy of a pheromone collar (PC) in managing behavioural problems in cats, and to assess adverse events reported with the use of these collars compared to a regular control collar (CC). The authors, who all work for the manufacturer of the pheromone product used, hypothesised that the PC collars would be superior to the CC collars in helping improve feline behaviour, and that differences in reported adverse events might be seen between the two collars.
Study participants were recruited from a proprietary database of caregivers used for online surveys in France. Inclusion criteria were households that owned one or two cats over six months of age, with at least one cat displaying one of four problem behaviours (indoor scratching, indoor urination away from the litter tray, excessive fear, inter-cat conflict) for at least a month. Included cats needed to have previously tolerated a collar and not received any pheromone or calming products within the last six months. Caregivers were required to not be away from home for more than two days a week during the study period.
Households were randomly allocated to one of the two treatment groups, cats in the same household were assigned to the same treatment group and wore the same kind of collar to maintain blinding. Instructions were given to caregivers on how to fit the collars safely.
The PC was made from a prototype plasticised polymer impregnated with 13% FELIWAY® Optimum, designed to release the product over 28 days, the CC was a commercially available silicone collar with similar flexibility to the PC but a different design. Both collars were fitted with a safety breakaway mechanism.
Caregivers completed online questionnaires at 7-day intervals, starting at day 0 and ending on day 28, in which they reported on their cat’s behaviour in the preceding seven days, and on tolerance and placement of the collar. Frequency of problem behaviour was reported using a seven-point analogue scale and severity of the problem on a ten-point scale. Treatment efficacy for each of the four problem behaviours was determined by changes in the Index Scores (frequency x intensity) from D0 to D28.
A total of 624 cats from 459 households were recruited. Three cats were excluded from the safety analysis and a further 130 from the efficacy analysis due to collar removal or incomplete data. For the efficacy analysis there were 248 cats in the PC group and 243 in the CC group.
All caregivers reported their cats tolerated the collars well with around 40% of cats having worn a collar previously. Compared to the CC the PC showed statistically significant improvement in the index scores for scratching, urination and inter-cat cohabitation.
Of the 621 cats in the safety analysis (304 PC, 317 CC), 75 in the PC group and 94 in the CC group, reported at least one adverse event. Reported adverse events included scratching, alopecia, discomfort and skin lesions. Collars were removed or lost from 12.1% of cats and 6.9% had their collars removed following an adverse event.
Limitations of the study include the PC and CC collars were made of different materials and the short study duration.
The study provides some evidence that the use of a pheromone collar can help to improve problem behaviour in cats, however, the high proportion of cats wearing the pheromone collar where adverse events were reported and the level of loss or removal of the collar during the study suggest that the use of a collar might not be the optimal pheromone delivery method.
The following may also be of interest:
Prior, M.R. and Mills, D.S. (2020) Cats vs. dogs: The efficacy of Feliway FriendsTM and AdaptilTM products in multispecies homes. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7. p. 399. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00399
An INFOCUS summary is available
Crump, E. (2023). Effectiveness of F3 feline facial pheromone analogue for acute stress reduction within clinical veterinary practice. Veterinary Evidence, 8 (4). https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v8i4.669
Ellis, S.L.H. et al. (2013) AAFP and ISFM feline environmental needs guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 15 (3), pp. 219-230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X13477537
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