What is pheromonatherapy?
Pheromonatherapy (or pheromonotherapy, depending on the authors), is a new way to manage behaviour problems in animals. It is an innovative and natural solution to stress related problems in cats and dogs.
What are pheromones?
Pheromones are 'chemical signals' used to communicate between members of the same species. Read more...
As a result pheromones emitted by one individual can affect and change the behaviour of other individuals of the same species.
The most well known are the sex pheromones used to make the bitch or queen more attractive to the male when they are in season. However, pheromones can also be used to mark territory, intimidate aggressors etc....
How does an animal detect pheromones in the enviroment?
Pheromones are secreted into the air by one animal and detected by a specific organ situated in the upper palate. Read more...
To detect the pheromones, animals pump air into the vomeronasal organ. This ”pumping” behaviour is called “flehmen”. Depending on the species, the flehmen can be very discreet (as in cats) or quite obvious (as seen in horses and sheep).
On detection, the pheromone induces a subconscious behaviour change.
Other uses of pheromones
Pheromones are used for a wide variety of situations. Read more...
In behaviour management, appeasing pheromones can be used to prevent or reduce stress related behaviour problems in dogs. The Dog Appeasing Pheromone (D.A.P.®)
In zoos pheromones have successfully helped improve animal welfare.
Pheromones are also widely use in vineyards to ward off pests.
