Well, who do we have here? That’s right, I’m back! Your devoted tail-wagging pal, here to share a secret or two about canine relaxation! Once we’re done, we’ll be so calm you’ll think we’ve just had the best belly rub and a snooze in the sun.
Today’s topic is going to be all about dog calming pheromones. You know how I sometimes get a little nervous—maybe when there are fireworks outside, when I’m home alone, or when we’re going on an adventure in the car? Well, dog calming pheromones happen to be a very clever way to help me feel safe and secure in just such an occasion.
Let me explain what they are and how they can help me (and other pups like me!) feel our very best.
A great question to start us off! I keep mentioning these dog calming pheromones, but what actually are they?
Well, we dogs have our own special ways of sending messages—not only barking or tail wags (though we use those too), but something known as pheromones. These are natural signals we release from our skin, and other dogs can detect them through a special little organ between our nose and mouth.
One of the most important pheromones for us is the dog appeasing pheromone. Mother dogs release this after their puppies are born to comfort and reassure them.
And here’s the great part: thanks to a bunch of super-clever scientists, we know that this same message helps dogs of all ages! Products like the ADAPTIL Calm pheromone diffuser for dogs uses this to help us pooches feel safe and settled, no matter what life throws our way.
If you’d like to learn more about the ins and outs of how pheromones work, check out this guide on pheromones.
Believe me when I say there are so many moments in life when dog calming pheromones can come to the rescue. I don’t know how many times I’ve felt calmed by the reassurance of these signals (you’d have to ask my human parents!), but there are certain situations I’ve struggled with before that I can share. Here are some examples:
Of course, it doesn’t stop there. Pheromones can also help if I’m just feeling a bit on edge, barking a little too much, or chewing things when stressed. What can I say? Life itself can sometimes be stressful enough in its own right!
Want to hear a handy tip? You don’t need to wait until I’m anxious to help me. You can actually use dog calming pheromones proactively. In fact, I’d argue vit’s the best way to use them!
When you give us dogs this extra support ahead of tricky situations (like those mentioned above), I can be eased into a calmer state of mind. This means I’m more relaxed, I can learn better during training, and I find it easier to adapt to new experiences. Puppies, rescue dogs, and even older pooches all benefit from a calm baseline.
So, how do you go about doing this? To explain, let’s take a look at a few different ways you can introduce calming pheromones to us dogs.
Fortunately, we live in a world full of very clever humans, and you lot have created a bunch of different tools to send me these reassuring pheromone signals.
Dog pheromone diffusers, like ADAPTIL Calm, are one of the best ways to provide ongoing support for us dogs—not just in difficult situations, but 24/7.
Simply plug your ADAPTIL diffuser into a wall socket in the room where I spent most of my time, give it up to a week to begin taking effect, and you’ll ensure a consistent calming baseline. This is perfect for home use, especially if I get worried about noises or changes in routine.
Canine pheromone sprays, like ADAPTIL Transport, work especially well on my bedding, in the car, or inside my travel crate. Proactively spray it about 15 minutes before I use the area, so the initial smell of alcohol evaporates, leaving only the calming pheromone message.
A little like wearing a slice of calm everywhere I go! Pheromone collars like the ADAPTIL Calm Collar release pheromones with my body heat, gently spreading calming signals around me. This means I get constant reassurance whether we’re at home, out on a walk, or exploring new places.
And you should know, whether a diffuser, spray or collar, the pheromones are only detectable by us dogs and are odourless to you humans. You don’t need to worry about any funny smells in the house, other than whatever comes off of me after rolling around in the garden…
So, which of the three pheromone options do you choose? Well, there’s no wrong choice!
All three options mentioned above use the same natural appeasing message, but they’re tailored for different situations—such as support around the home, out and about, or for one-off specific occasions. I can benefit from a combination of the three, but you know your pooch and the situations that trouble them best.
Of course, pheromones are amazing, but they work best when combined with a calm and supporting environment. Here are some more things that make a big difference for me:
Follow my advice, pair it with ADAPTIL, and you’re giving me the very best chance to stay happy and stress-free.
Just remember, each dog is different—and pheromones aren’t a magic wand! We need a combination of your love, patience, and care. It all makes a huge difference to our emotional well-being.
Right, that’s it from me. I’m off for a snooze. Until next time!
For more advice on how to help a dog relax and face life’s ups and downs, check out the other articles in our ADAPTIL blog. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated with expert tips, fun ideas, and doggy wisdom!