A Calming Mist: Dog Pheromone Diffuser

A dog pheromone diffuser is a method of emitting dog pheromones into the air in order to help calm anxious animals for a period of time.  There are many dogs that get anxious each time their owners leave the house.  This often leads to destroyed household furniture and goods, defecating in the house, and a stressed out animal.

There are other dogs that do not get anxious when their owners are gone, but are terribly frightened whenever a thunderstorm hits their areas.  These thunderstorms can cause the dog a mild reaction, such as whining, to a more extreme reaction such as hiding, trembling, panting and barking.  Either way, the dog is incredibly unhappy and a dog pheromone diffuser can help to manage the dog’s fears.

How it Works

A dog pheromone diffuser is plugged into the wall and looks much like a typical air freshener.  Just like and air freshener, the device emits a spray of the pheromone into the air, so that the dog’s environment is constantly immersed in the calming chemical.  Although dog pheromones are chemicals, they are a naturally secreted chemical, so they are odorless to human beings and are not harmful to dogs or other pets.

Although the dog pheromones have a calming effect, they are not a sedative, so dogs act normally and do not experience a drowsiness that dog tranquilizers, which are often prescribed for anxiety issues, cause.  Dog tranquilizers are not healthy for dogs to use on a regular basis, as it disrupts their normal activity.  Dog pheromone diffusers do not.

Some dogs’ biggest fears are not in the house, but are in the car.  Dogs sometimes experience fright in the car because they associate it with going to the veterinarian’s office, especially if they are not taken in the car other than for that yearly visit.  Since the diffuser has to be plugged into an outlet to work, scientists have created a natural spray bottle that can be used as a dog pheromone diffuser in the car.

The only difference is that the spray must be done about fifteen minutes before the dog enters the car so that the area is properly immersed in the pheromone.  Once that is accomplished, it works the same way as the diffuser does in the house.  Another option for active dogs that travel often to various environments with their owners is to have a pheromone dog collar which dispenses the pheromone.  All of these diffusers last approximately four weeks before needing a refill.