Pheromones are chemicals that are

naturally produced by many insects

and animals including dogs, cats and
man.

Depending on the animal, these

chemicals that are secreted by the
body can be easily or subtly detected
through the sense of smell.
They are capable of
changing the Pheromones are also
“smeller’s” present in urine, and
behaviour as well as when your dog or cat
creating a
physiological urinates, other members
response within the of the same species are
smeller. attracted to the smell
and the information
(about territory, rank,
gender etc.) hiding within
the smell.
When a cat rubs its face
When a female dog or on you it is actually
cat is in heat for scenting you with
example, she releases pheromones.
pheromones that are
detectable by male This scent has the role of
dogs living within a few both calming the cat
miles of her. down while claiming
ownership of you
 Due to the fact that different
pheromones are thought to elicit specific
behaviours, scientists and marketers alike
have sought to research and develop
synthetic pheromones.
 In female dogs for example, the nursing
mother naturally secretes a pheromone
that calms her puppies down.
 A synthetic pheromone is now being sold
to calm down dogs that are overly
nervous and fearful.
Aggregation pheromones
function in defense against
predators, mate selection,
and overcoming host
resistance by mass attack.
 Some species release a volatile
substance when attacked by a
predator that can trigger aggression
in members of the same species.
 • In general, this type of
Releaser pheromone elicits a rapid
response, but is quickly
degraded.
• In contrast, a primer
pheromone has a slower
Releaser pheromones onset and a longer
are pheromones that duration.
cause an alteration in the
behavior of the recipient. • For example, rabbit
For example, some (mothers) release
organisms use powerful mammary pheromones
attractant molecules to that trigger immediate
attract mates from a nursing behavior by their
distance of two miles or babies.
more.
Signal
• Signal pheromones
cause short-term
changes, such as the
neurotransmitter
release that activates a
response.
• For instance, GnRH
molecule functions as
a neurotransmitter.
Primer • Primer pheromones
trigger a change of
developmental events
(in which they differ
from all the other
pheromones, which
trigger a change in
behavior).
 • In cats and dogs, these
Territorial hormones are present in the
urine, which they deposit on
Laid down in the
landmarks serving to mark the
environment, territorial perimeter of the claimed
pheromones mark the
boundaries of an territory.
organism's territory. • In social seabirds, the preen
gland is used to mark nests,
nuptial gifts, and territory
boundaries with behavior
formerly described as
'displacement activity'.
Trail
Trail pheromones are
common in social
insects.

For example, ants mark

their paths with these
pheromones, which are
volatile hydrocarbons.
Information
Information pheromones are
indicative of an animal's identity
or territory.

For example, dogs and cats

deposit chemicals in and around
their territory, which then serve
as an indicator for other
members of the species about
the presence of the occupant in
that territory.
Sex

In animals, sex pheromones

indicate the availability of
the female for breeding.

Male animals may also emit

pheromones that convey
information about their
species and genotype
 Glands That Secrete Pheromones in Dogs

While these glands are present in all dogs, they are particularly
known to secrete pheromones in the intermammary sulcus of
lactating bitches.

• The pheromones produced in this case are “appeasing

pheromones’.

• Their main function is to reassure the puppies and allow them

to become attached to the mother.

• Some of these glands are also found nearby the hairs

responsible for piloerection.

• Indeed, when a dog raises its hackles to signal fear or stress, it

also emits pheromones that signal danger.
 Ceruminous Glands
These are glands found in the
internal part of a dog’s pinna.
The types of pheromones
produced are appeasing
pheromones.
They are typically emitted by higher
ranking dogs and this explains why
submissive dogs are often seen
sniffing and licking ears.
This also explains why many
dominant dogs assume a posture
with erect ears, almost as if they
are attempting to diffuse as much
as they can such pheromones.
Perioral Glands

• These are glands found

in the dog’s facial area
on the chin, lips, cheeks
and nearby the
whiskers.
• This explains why dogs
are often interested in
the facial areas of other
dogs and people.
 Eccrine Glands

These glands are found in a dog’s • They are meant to release

paw pads and between the toes.
pheromones associated with
territoriality.
• Indeed, it is not unusual to
see dogs scratch dirt with their
hind legs after eliminating.
• By doing so, they are
spreading the pheromones to
mark territory.
 Pre-Caudal Glands

• By wagging a tail the dog

spreads these pheromones
These are glands
located at the base of
around providing important
a dog’s tail. Sexual information to other dogs and
pheromones, identity people.
pheromones and
territorial • An asocial dog or a fearful
pheromones are dog will not be likely to want
released from these
glands. to spread these pheromones,
and therefore. will keep the
tail tucked in.
 Anal Glands
These glands are located around
the rectum are known to produce
important information between
dogs.
A certain amount of these
pheromones are released
upon defecating.
This explains why dogs are so
interested in sniffing the stools of other
dogs.
Very fearful dogs are also known to
release secretions that are easily
picked up by other dogs at a vet’s
office sending them into an alert
mode.
 Chemical composition of pheromones

Pheromones is a They can be as simple as

general name for isoamyl acetate (for bees)
chemicals that
take part in and valeric acid to complex
attraction, fear, molecules related to
and aggression steroids (another general
mechanisms of
an organism class of chemicals).
 The Function of Pheromones in Dogs
Pheromones are substances
secreted from special glands in
dogs with the function of
eliciting a vast array of behavior
responses in other dogs.
These behavior responses vary
from sexual excitement,
aggression, fear and avoidance
behaviors.
The use of pheromones
therefore brings
communication among
dogs to a different level,
dog do not communicate
though body postures or
vocal cues, rather they
rely on a unique
chemical form of
communication.
 Some of these
Other substances are chemical substances
produced by dogs are
heavier and therefore, meant to be perceived
are not volatile, so from other dogs at
they are deposited in great distances as they
are light and easily
designated areas carried by air.
where other dogs may
pick up as they walk
by.
 Dogs therefore are equipped with glands designed to emit
pheromones and organs designed to detect pheromones.

In order to analyze
The vomeronasal organ (also known as
Jacobson’s organ) is the organ specifically
well these
built to detect pheromones. pheromones, dogs
often resort to a
gesture with their
This organ is found in the roof of the dog’s
upper lip lifted and
mouth and is often used when a male mouth opened, a
smells pheromones left by a female in
heat.
gesture known as
‘flehem’.
 Synthetic pheromone

Developed by veterinarians, D.A.P.

(Dog Appeasing Pheromone) is a
synthetic pheromone that naturally Fear of loud noises
controls and manages pet behavior elicits responses such
associated with anxiety, fear, stress or
phobias. as pacing, trembling,
hiding and howling.

The pheromones are released into

the animal's environment through a A few weeks prior to
diffuser that plugs into an electrical expected noisy
outlet, delivering pheromones 24 celebrations or storm
hours a day for approximately 30 season.
days for trouble-free treatment.