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Considerate Approach: Olfactory & Pheromones

OLFACTORY STIMULI & CHEMICAL MESSAGING (PHEROMONES): Scents and pheromones play a powerful role in an
animal’s level of FAS. Attending to the scents and pheromones that animals are exposed to throughout their care is an
important part of creating a Fear Free experience and promotes the wellbeing of animals.
Overview: Remove (or minimize as much as possible) any aversive, overly strong or distressing scents from the pet’s
environment. Similarly, remove and reduce as much as possible the animal’s perception of alarm pheromones that
may have been left by other animals and cause or increase FAS in other same-species animals. Additionally, support
animal wellbeing using synthetic calming pheromones and scents that promote resting behavior.

Reduce/Remove How/Method Why

the following
FAS triggers
Alarm • Thoroughly clean surface areas, equipment • Pheromones and scents have the power to
pheromones and tools between patients impact the emotional state of other animals long
and distressing • Create a more odor and pheromone after the previous animal has left.
scents that may neutral environment with the use of an • Even when the area appears ‘clean’ to the eye,
be left behind effective cleaner, like Rescue (from Virox), there are odors and chemical messages
on surfaces and that both disinfects and removes odors and (pheromones) left behind by other animals that
equipment from lingering pheromones left behind by prior can have a negative impact on other animals even
previous animals animals. hours after the original animal has passed through
or come into contact with the surface or
instrument.
• It’s important for the cleaner to remove scents
completely, rather than only masking the scent or
using harsh chemicals that may compromise the
olfactory capabilities of the animal.

Exposure to • Keep separate, species-specific areas for • Novel or unfamiliar smells of other animals can
scents of care, including species-specific exam rooms, cause FAS or increase excitement levels
unfamiliar treatment areas and boarding areas,
species whenever possible, to prevent FAS that can
otherwise be elevated by the scent of an
unfamiliar species.
• Thoroughly clean areas and equipment
(such as the stethoscope) between animals.

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 FEAR FREE VETERINARY CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

OLFACTORY STIMULI & CHEMICAL MESSAGING (PHEROMONES): Scents and pheromones play a powerful role in an
animal’s level of FAS. Attending to the scents and pheromones that animals are exposed to throughout their care is an
important part of creating a Fear Free experience and promotes the wellbeing of animals.
Overview: Remove (or minimize as much as possible) any aversive, overly strong or distressing scents from the pet’s
environment. Similarly, remove and reduce as much as possible the animal’s perception of alarm pheromones that
may have been left by other animals and cause or increase FAS in other same-species animals. Additionally, support
animal wellbeing using synthetic calming pheromones and scents that promote resting behavior.

Reduce/Remove How/Method Why

the following
FAS triggers
Exposure to • Promptly, routinely and thoroughly clean and dispose of body • Immediate clean
body eliminations; including urination, defecation and anal gland expression. up and disinfect
eliminations • In outside areas regularly use a product that removes odors and with an effective
(including pheromones on cleanable, vertical surfaces where urine marking is likely to cleaner safeguards
lingering scents occur. Provide easily accessible poop disposal bags for clients and have animal exposure to
and staff routinely check and bag up any remaining droppings in outside areas potentially
pheromones of to ensure they're maintained and clean. Dispose of eliminations in contagious diseases
the elimination). contained areas that are located out of the way of incoming and outgoing and minimizes
pets. contact with
• In the hospital, immediately clean up pet eliminations using a product potentially
such as Rescue that both disinfects and removes scents and pheromones. distressing scents
Dispose of the cleanup material in a timely manner within a contained and fear messages
receptacle that’s kept separate and away from areas where animals are that can be
cared for or housed. transmitted through
• Encourage staff to keep a change(s) of clothes in the event that clothing eliminations.
becomes soiled while working with a patient or cleaning an area.
Strongly scented • Consider use of non-scented or only lightly scented cleaners, sprays and • Dogs’ and cats’
products, hygiene products. senses of smell is
including • If using a scented product, opt for those with mild, discrete scent in a exponentially more
cleaning and variety that’s more likely to be tolerated by the animal, such as chamomile powerful than
hygiene or lavender. humans’. Though
products, • Avoid scents that are more aversive for some animals or that may be certain scents may
perfumes, associated with negative conditions in other contexts, such as citrus, sour be appreciated by
colognes and apple and citronella scents that are sometimes used in deterrent products people, they can be
room sprays to repel animals from performing certain behaviors (e.g. anti-chew sprays overpowering and
and citronella spray bark collars). aversive for animals’
sensitive noses.

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Add to Promote How/Method Why

Relaxation

Spread calming • Adaptil (for dogs) and Feliway (for cats) can be dispersed and • Pheromone perception is
messages using refreshed in key areas of the hospital where animals move or taken in by the limbic
species-specific, remain for their care or stay; including exam, treatment and system of the body that
calming boarding areas and items the animal comes into contact with, such has direct links to the
pheromones as bedding, nonslip surfaces, veterinary equipment and on staff emotional centers of the
that are scrubs. animal’s brain. Because of
dispersed • Pheromone products can be dispersed in a variety of ways, the direct impact
strategically including room diffusers, sprays and wipes. pheromones have on the
throughout the - Due to the high airflow exchange in hospital, multiple room animal’s emotional state,
hospital. diffusers may be needed in a given space for animals to receive the calming pheromones can
full exposure and extended benefits. be used to help signal to
- Pheromone sprays are best spritzed onto surfaces 10-15 minutes the pet's body that ‘all is
before the animal comes into contact with the area to allow for well’ and promote a calmer
alcohol properties of the spray to dissipate. The effects of emotional state.
pheromone sprays last for up to 4-6 hours. • You can send the signal
- Because dog and cat perception of pheromones is limited to their that ‘all is well’ to pets
species, both feline and canine pheromone products can be used using synthetic calming
simultaneously without risk of compromising their effect. pheromone products, like
- Pheromone-infused items can be provided to patients upon their Adaptil and Feliway, that
arrival into the hospital, like a Feliway-spritzed towel to cover the mimic the calming
cat’s carrier or an Adaptil-infused bandana for the dog to wear. pheromones that animals
- Adaptil collars may be indicated for dogs who have a long-term FAS express. Or, a cat’s own
inducing situation, such as boarding. Feliway MultiCat may be useful pheromones (such as are
for cats housed in nearby proximity to other cats in boarding or found on glands near the
treatment areas. cat’s cheeks) can be used
• Cheek pheromones and scents from the cat can be collected on an to help promote a sense of
item, like a towel that the cat rubs up against or that’s gently rubbed comfortable familiarity in
on the cat as they’re pet to then be distributed in areas and on new items and areas as the
items the cat will come into contact with, such as the exam table, cat adjusts and acclimates.
the veterinary care team’s hands and tools used in the cat's care.

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Add to How/Method Why

Promote
Relaxation
Provide • Encourage pet owners to bring used, unwashed items from • Familiar, positively associated
familiar, home that have known scents that the animal is likely to find scents can foster comfort. This
comfort- comforting (such as bedding the animal has slept on or an positive familiarity can transition
enhancing unwashed shirt their owner has worn). into new spaces and provide a
scents that • Small items with familiar scents may be strategically placed sense of security when there is
travel with inside of a comfort toy with a hidden, inner pocket (e.g. Scents likely to be a plethora of
the pet from of Security, Snuggle Puppy or Snuggle Kitty) otherwise unfamiliar and
the home to • A cat’s carrier can be kept with the feline within their larger potentially concerning scents.
the hospital treatment or boarding area cage during their hospital stay to • The animal’s own scent, the
and remain provide a resting and hiding space that smells more like home. scent of their home space and the
with the pet The door can be taken off from a top removal carrier to allow scent of their preferred
throughout for easy access inside. Additionally, the top can be removed to companions, such as their
their visit and provide an additional hiding, resting and perching space. owner(s) or a favorite animal
stay. • When possible and appropriate, spot-clean only soiled areas housemate, can provide familiar
of the animal’s individual containment space when they’re comfort that allows the animal to
housed in the hospital, to keep the animal’s surroundings as take a piece of home with them
familiar smelling and comfortable as possible. throughout their hospital visit and
stay.
When • Consider home items that the owner may want to bring and • Animals are likely to remain
possible and provide for hospital use during the pet's care and hospital stay; more comfortable with the use of
practical to do including known toys, bedding, and food puzzles. tools and items they’re already
so, have the • This can also include tools and equipment the animal has familiar with using at home (and
pet owner already been positively conditioned to that can be used in- by extension smell of the pet and
bring along clinic, like their own nonslip mat, compression garment or their home space), especially if the
familiar, basket muzzle. item has been positively
known items • The cat’s familiar carrier can be kept with the feline during conditioned in the past. In
that their their hospital stay to provide a familiar-smelling space that can contrast, it can take extra efforts
animal is be used to move the cat within clinic or the bottom half used and time to accustom the animal
already during certain aspects of care. to new items introduced in-
accustomed - Note: Keep track of equipment and gear that’s left hospital.
to for use in behind with the pet in ways like labeling each piece
care during with the animal/ owner’s name and contact
their hospital information and having an organizational system to
visit and stay. keep items with the pet. It's also important for pet
owners to be informed of the potential risk of left items
becoming lost or damaged during their pet’s stay,
despite what will be best efforts to keep items
protected and with the pet. Informing owners of the
risk helps to ensure that items left behind are those
that the owner is okay parting with (e.g. not the pet’s
most treasured toy or favorite bed) in the unfortunate
event that an item goes missing.
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Add to How/Method
Promote
Relaxation
Promote feel- • Pleasing aromas that stimulate a dog or cat’s appetite,
good food like gently warmed deli turkey or chicken breast, can help
scents that to create a feel-good atmosphere for the pet. Or, for pets
stimulate the on a limited ingredient diet, warming up a soft version of
pet’s appetite their food or mixing their kibble with water or the addition
and desire to of a compatible garlic-and-onion-free low sodium broth can
take treats increase the aromas and palatability of the food used for
distractions during care.
• Having the owner bring an assortment of their pet’s
preferred, familiar-smelling treats already enjoyed at home
can increase the pet’s receptivity to treat taking during care
(especially for cats).
Calming • Place a diluted amount of a calming scent (like lavender
scents in or chamomile) in an area or on an item, like a fleece
areas or on blanket or comfort toy.
select items • To further boost the positive effect of aromatherapy, pair
where animals calming scents with times of happy relaxation, such as
reside for care instructing the owner to use a diluted concentration of a
or rest. calming scent when they’re rewarding their animal for
relaxing on their settle mat or Treat-ment station or during
mealtimes, to help foster and promote relaxation at other
times when the calming scent is used (such as near the
Treat-ment station during an exam).
• Rotating the type of calming scent that's provided can be
a form of enrichment for animals residing in the hospital for
a longer length of time for boarding or long-term care.
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Why
• Taste is highly connected to smell.
Strong scents of highly palatable foods
or favorite treats can stimulate the
pet’s appetite and create happy
anticipation before the food is eaten,
further increasing the likelihood of the
animal enjoying food rewards during
their vet visit.
• Calming aromatherapy, such as
lavender & chamomile can promote
rest behavior. Other scents, such as
ginger and coconut also show
potential calming benefits for dogs.
• Only a small, diluted concentration
of scent is needed, because an
animal’s sense of smell is much
greater than ours and too much scent
can be overpowering for the animal’s
sensitive nose.
• Placing a diluted amount of calming
scent on an item allows for the animal
to control proximity to the scent and
provides the choice to move closer,
according to their preference.
• Scents are strongly linked to
memories and can foster certain
emotional states and behaviors in the
animal. Thus, pairing pleasurable
experiences with a certain calming
scent can increase the likelihood of
happy relaxation in response to the
scent in the future.
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