The information about these products has been fact-checked by one of our licensed veterinarians, but the purpose of this post is not to diagnose illness or prescribe treatment. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the veterinarian. We recommend contacting your pet’s veterinarian before purchasing products from this list.
Like their humans, cats can get stressed out every now and then. It can be due to a variety of reasons, like overstimulation, boredom, and changes to their environment. While you should address the cause of their stress first, you also might find yourself turning to calming aids either to improve the situation further or soothe them through an unavoidable change, like moving home, for example.
There are several products you can use, and the pheromone diffuser is a practical choice. Plug-ins work by releasing calming pheromones into the air, which will help your cat to relax. Cats naturally produce lots of different types of pheromones from special glands around their body. They are a form of communication that all cats use to interact with each other and as messages to themselves. Pheromone diffusers use synthetically made versions of pheromones that aim to produce ‘happy’ messages and feelings of comfort and safety. So, if you’re searching for a product to help calm your cat, you’re in the right place—these reviews will show you exactly what is available so you can figure out what works best for your anxious kitty!
A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites
The 6 Best Cat Pheromone Diffusers
1. Feliway Classic Calming Diffuser – Best Overall
| Longevity: | 30 Days |
| Square Foot Coverage: | 700 ft² |
Our choice for the best overall pheromone diffuser for cats is the Feliway Classic Calming Diffuser. It is vet-recommended and will help reduce signs of stress like spraying, scratching, and hiding. It covers 700 square feet, which means it will work in an apartment or a large room. It is unsuitable for homes with caged birds, especially Parakeets and Psittacines, since the birds have sensitive respiratory systems; inhaling the pheromone chemical could be hazardous to their health. This diffuser also comes in a multi-cat option, so you might consider this one if you have more than one cat. Owners liked this product overall and thought it to be reliable.
2. Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser – Best Value
| Longevity: | 30 Days |
| Square Foot Coverage: | 400 ft² |
Our pick for the best pheromone diffuser for cats for the money is the Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser. The drug-free solution works to naturally calm your cat without affecting other pets and is affordable, as are the refills. The new and improved design leaves room in the outlet for other appliances or devices, which was a problem before.
When refilling, take care as the contents have been known to spill. If this happens, clean it up immediately since it is poisonous and can cause skin irritation for humans and pets.
3. ThunderEase Calming Diffuser – Premium Choice
| Longevity: | 30 Days |
| Square Foot Coverage: | 700 ft² |
The ThunderEase Calming Diffuser is one of the more expensive options. It uses a drug-free formula to ease your pet’s stress and will make introducing new cats to your home easier. It will help with undesirable behavior like scratching, urine marking, separation anxiety, and visitors (human and animal). It lasts for 30 days of continuous use and covers 700 square feet. Some owners complained of it leaking when they were refilling it. As this product is incredibly flammable and harmful or fatal if swallowed, you must be careful when handling it.
4. Relaxivet Natural Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser
| Longevity: | 30 Days |
| Square Foot Coverage: | 700 ft² |
Relaxivet Natural Cat Calming Pheromone Diffuser has been vet-reviewed and vet-recommended to calm and relax your cat. It’s drug-free and is effective for 90% of cats.
While it does promise it lasts 30 days, some owners noted that it ran out faster, meaning more frequent changes, which also cost them more money. It also has quite a strong smell, so if your cat is sensitive to fragrances, there might be a better diffuser for them.
5. Sentry Calming Diffuser
| Longevity: | 30 Days |
| Square Foot Coverage: | 215 ft² |
Sentry Calming Diffuser is perfect for cats of all ages and breeds. It’s part of PetIQ, which is a leading pet wellness and health company. The scent is a gentle chamomile and lavender that isn’t too strong, and it promises to last up to 30 days. Unlike some of our other options, this product only covers 215 square feet, which is relatively small in comparison. For this reason, you might find it a lot less effective. The rotating plug makes it easy to use, and it fits seamlessly into any electrical outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are the Signs Your Cat Might Benefit From a Calming Pheromone Diffuser?
Your cat might exhibit some undesirable behaviors, like urinating outside their litter box, fighting with another pet, or scratching up your furniture. These are indicators your cat is stressed or anxious.
Other signs include:
These symptoms can also point to a wide range of health issues, so it’s important when you notice any of these signs to get your cat checked by the vet to rule out any underlying health problems.
Do Pheromone Diffusers Work?
Studies have shown that diffusers can help reduce anxiety-related behaviors and provide relief for cats suffering from mild symptoms of anxiety. Like humans, cats experience stress and anxiety in different ways, so a cat that is experiencing more severe symptoms might also need professional treatment.
Are Pheromone Diffusers Safe?
Yes, they are safe when used according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Unlike a sedative or medication, pheromones don’t have to be ingested and metabolized. While pheromone diffusers are synthetic, they work the same way naturally occurring pheromones do, which is to send chemical signals that trigger changes in the cat’s brain and behavior.
It’s still important to watch your cat closely when you start using a pheromone diffuser because every cat is different; some have additional scents such as lavender and chamomile which your cat might not like.. Pheromones are species-specific so they don’t affect humans and are safe to use around pet parents and children. It’s vital that you don’t use out-of-date liquid since it won’t have any effect and could also be harmful to your cat.
How Do You Pick the Right Calming Aid?
The diffusers we featured are excellent products, but you can also try spray pumps, wet wipes, and collars. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks and won’t work for every cat, so it’s best to research them all.
The traditional diffuser is best for indoor use and will help prevent scratching and marking effectively. The pump is good for travel when used in your cat’s carrier to help your cat feel more calm and relaxed. Collars can be good for cats that are going outdoors as well. There are also diffusers specifically for multi-cat households, which can help cats live more harmoniously together.
Conclusion
If your cat is exhibiting signs of anxiety or stress, you might find yourself in the market for a pheromone diffuser. Our top choice is the Feliway Classic Calming Diffuser since it’s vet-recommended, reliable, and has a wide distribution. Our pick for the best value pheromone diffuser is Comfort Zone Calming Diffuser. The diffuser and refills are affordable, and it’s a highly effective product.
Make sure you always discuss any behavioral changes with your vet, just in case there is an underlying health condition at work. We hope these reviews have helped you get a better idea of what to look for when shopping for a pheromone diffuser.
Featured Image Credit: Chewy