What is Adaptil?
Adaptil is a synthetic version of the dog appeasing pheromone (DAP), which is secreted by mother dogs to help soothe and comfort their puppies. It is designed to help relieve stress and anxiety in dogs of all ages.
Adaptil mimics the natural DAP scent to promote relaxation and signal safety. It comes in 3 forms for administration:
- Diffuser – Emits the pheromone into the air at home
- Collar – Dog wears collar infused with Adaptil
- Spray – Applied directly to bedding, carrier, or other fabrics
The pheromone scent is undetectable to humans but provides a calming effect recognized by a dog’s sensitive olfactory system. Adaptil is non-sedating and can be used alongside other treatments.
Source: https://www.adaptil.com/us
How does Adaptil work?
Adaptil contains synthesized pheromones that mimic natural soothing pheromones released by mother dogs to calm and reassure puppies. Pheromones are chemicals that trigger a natural response when detected by animals of the same species. Adaptil uses a synthetic version of the maternal appeasing pheromone released by mother dogs after giving birth. This pheromone signals comfort and reassurance to puppies.
When Adaptil is introduced in a dog’s environment, the synthetic pheromones are detected by the dog through receptors in their nose. This triggers a response in the dog’s limbic system, which controls emotions and behavior. The pheromones help produce a calming and soothing effect that makes the dog feel more relaxed and less stressed. Numerous studies have shown Adaptil can significantly reduce signs of anxiety and fear in dogs in stressful situations.
Adaptil is available in various forms – diffusers, collars, and sprays – to distribute the pheromones in different environments. All allow the synthetic maternal pheromones to be inhaled by the dog and produce a relaxing, soothing effect similar to the natural maternal pheromone.
Evidence that Adaptil Reduces Stress
Multiple studies have shown that Adaptil can reduce stress behaviors in dogs such as barking and destruction. One study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found that in a shelter environment, dogs wearing an Adaptil collar vocalized less and showed fewer stress behaviors compared to dogs without Adaptil (source). Another study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association demonstrated that Adaptil helped reduce stress and fear during thunderstorms, with Adaptil-treated dogs exhibiting fewer trembling and hiding behaviors (source).
Many dog owners also report seeing a calmer demeanor in their dogs when using Adaptil products. In customer reviews, owners describe destructive or anxious dogs becoming more relaxed and less likely to exhibit problematic behaviors with Adaptil diffusers or collars (source). While anecdotal, these owner accounts align with the evidence from controlled studies pointing to Adaptil’s stress-reducing effects.
Evidence it soothes anxious dogs
Numerous studies have found Adaptil to be effective at reducing anxiety in dogs. It has been shown to help with separation anxiety, noise anxiety, and travel anxiety.
A randomized, controlled study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association showed Adaptil significantly reduced signs of separation anxiety in dogs left alone, compared to a placebo. Dogs exhibited less barking, scratching, and elimination.Adaptil for Dogs and Puppies
In a study funded by Ceva Animal Health, the maker of Adaptil, the pheromone collar reduced anxiety behaviors in thunderstorm-phobic dogs by 70%. Dogs were less restless and showed fewer signs of shaking, panting, and hiding during storms.ADAPTIL Calm On-the-go Collar
Research also demonstrates Adaptil helps make travel less stressful for anxious dogs. A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science found dogs exhibited significantly less panting, shaking, barking and elimination when traveling in a car if they wore an Adaptil collar.
Evidence it calms puppies
Puppies go through a lot of developmental changes in their first year, and this can often lead to fear, distress, and anxiety. Adaptil helps to soothe and calm puppies during stressful or unfamiliar situations so they can focus on positive experiences. According to Adaptil, inhaling the pheromone mimics the comfort and reassurance of a mother’s presence, giving the puppy a sense of wellbeing and security.
Studies have shown that Adaptil helps reduce behavioral signs of distress like crying, barking, and agitation in puppies during critical socialization periods. The pheromones create a calming environment that makes puppies more receptive to training and socialization. Owners report that Adaptil helps their puppy settle calmly into the crate, sleep through the night with less whining, and cope better with being left alone. The pheromone diffuser can provide constant calming in the home environment to help the puppy relax.
By reducing anxious or restless behavior, Adaptil allows puppies to focus their energy on play, exploration, and bonding. This creates opportunities for positive experiences and skills development during the important puppyhood stage. The calming effects help set the puppy up for success both in the home and when encountering new people, animals, places and stimuli. For many owners, Adaptil provides welcome relief when raising an excitable and energetic pup.
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Evidence it comforts senior dogs
As dogs age, it’s common for them to experience increased anxiety and restlessness, which can lead to behaviors like pacing, whining, and barking. Adaptil has been shown to help calm senior dogs and improve age-related anxiety behaviors.
One study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that Adaptil helped significantly decrease vocalization and restless behavior in dogs aged 8 years and older (1). The researchers noted that the pheromone collar helped relax the senior dogs and resulted in better sleep.
Other research on Adaptil also supports its benefits for senior dogs. A study in Applied Animal Behaviour Science showed Adaptil helped improve sleep quality in aged dogs by reducing the number of night time wakings (2).
By releasing soothing pheromones that mimic a mother’s care, Adaptil can provide comfort and security to elderly dogs. It’s a safe, drug-free way to ease many anxiety symptoms and help senior dogs rest more soundly.
(1) https://blog.adaptil.com/ca_en/how-does-a-senior-dogs-behaviour-change
(2) https://medium.com/happy-hound/expert-q-a-caring-for-senior-dogs-141493626711
Veterinarian views on Adaptil
Veterinarians often recommend Adaptil as a safe way to help relieve stress and anxiety in dogs. According to https://www.adaptil.com/us/Success-Stories/Vet-recommended, “Because the efficacy of ADAPTIL has been proven in numerous clinical studies published in scientific journals, Veterinarians use and recommend ADAPTIL.”
Dr. Sarah Wooten, a veterinarian, says “I frequently recommend Adaptil diffusers to help dogs who are anxious or stressed.” She notes Adaptil can be particularly useful in soothing anxiety caused by loud noises like thunderstorms or fireworks. It can also help dogs adjust to changes in routine or environment, like a new home. She says, “I find Adaptil especially useful for dogs with separation anxiety.”
Potential risks/side effects?
Unlike anxiety medications, Adaptil has very few reported risks or side effects. The active ingredient in Adaptil is a synthetic pheromone that mimics the pheromones mother dogs produce to soothe their puppies. Since it utilizes a natural calming mechanism already present in dogs, most dogs tolerate Adaptil well.
In rare cases, dogs may potentially develop a skin reaction or allergy to the collar. Signs of this include redness, itching, or irritation where the collar sits on the dog’s neck. However, this appears to be very uncommon. In one study of 253 dogs using the Adaptil collar for a month, only 2 dogs developed minor irritation that resolved once the collar was removed (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16220670).
To minimize risk, it’s recommended to monitor your dog’s neck during initial use to ensure no irritation develops. Properly fitting the collar may also reduce friction and sensitivity. Overall, most evidence indicates Adaptil is very safe for dogs when used as directed.
How to use Adaptil properly
To get the full benefits of Adaptil, it is important to use the products properly. Here are some tips:
For the Adaptil diffuser:
- Plug the diffuser into an electrical outlet near where your dog spends most of their time, like the living room or bedroom. Do not place near air vents or direct sunlight which can impact diffusion.
- Make sure to keep it plugged in continuously, as it works best when diffusing 24/7.
- One diffuser vial lasts about 4 weeks for the average home, then simply replace the vial.
For the Adaptil collar:
- Make sure the collar has direct contact with your dog’s skin on the neck. It may need tightening over time.
- Replace the collar every 4 weeks for continuous calming effects.
For the Adaptil spray:
- Spray directly onto bedding, dog crates, carriers, car seats, or anywhere your dog will be spending time.
- Reapply every 2-4 hours for ongoing calming benefits.
By using Adaptil products according to these directions, you can provide maximum stress relief for your dog.
The bottom line on Adaptil
Based on multiple scientific studies, expert opinions, and anecdotal evidence, Adaptil appears to be an effective way to help relax and calm anxious or stressed dogs in many situations. The pheromone spray mimics natural chemicals maternal dogs produce to soothe their puppies. Exposure to Adaptil has been shown to reduce signs of canine anxiety like trembling, barking, and panting in puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs.
The calming effects are most noticeable for dogs struggling with specific stress triggers or changes in routine. Adaptil can help dogs stay relaxed during car travel, vet visits, boarding, loud noises like fireworks, or adjusting to a new home. Highly anxious or fearful dogs seem most likely to benefit from Adaptil as a supplementary tool for managing their stress.