Companion Animal Welfare

Cat Welfare and Boarding: Pheromone Support

Boarding is stressful for many cats. Synthetic pheromone products reduce anxiety during boarding and can be used to prepare cats for the experience in advance.

Key Facts

Feliway Classic mimics the feline facial pheromone associated with marking familiar territory
Pheromone diffusers in cattery rooms reduce stress behaviour indicators in boarded cats
Pre-travel pheromone spraying of carriers reduces transport stress
Pheromone collars provide continuous anxiolytic support during boarding
Effect size varies between individual cats and pheromones are not universally effective

Welfare Considerations

Boarding stress causes real, measurable welfare costs for cats who spend most of their lives in a single familiar environment. Pheromone support, alongside high-quality boarding facilities, reduces but does not eliminate this burden.

What You Can Do

Use pheromone sprays in your cat's carrier at least 30 minutes before travel
Bring familiar bedding and toys when boarding your cat to maintain olfactory familiarity
Choose boarding facilities accredited by the Cat Boarding Standards scheme