Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Transport can be a stressful experience for domestic cats. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a new synthetic feline facial pheromone product on relieving stress in domestic cats during short-distance transport. METHODS: A randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted. Prior to baseline screening, cat owners were trained via online meetings in the assessment of stress-related behaviours and overall stress visual analogue scoring. All assessments were completed 30 mins after the start of transport. A total of 150 domestic cats exhibiting stress-related behaviours during baseline screening were recruited and randomly assigned to either the treatment group (n = 75) or the placebo group (n = 75). For the placebo-controlled intervention, the product and placebo, which were identical in appearance, were provided to the treatment and placebo groups, respectively. Fifteen minutes after spraying the carriers with the product or placebo, cat owners were required to take their cat out and complete the same assessments (baseline screening). RESULTS: After the intervention, the performance of the stress-related behaviours curling, lack of motion and meowing during transport outside the home was significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the placebo group (P <0.05). When the baseline stress visual analogue scale (VAS) score was >2.94 cm, cats in the treatment group had significantly lower post-intervention stress VAS scores compared with those in the placebo group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: A synthetic feline facial pheromone product can alleviate short-distance transport-related stress in domestic cats with higher stress scores. This finding will benefit domestic cats during transport outside of the home.