If you're weighing up Adaptil vs Feliway, you're already on the right track — pheromone-based calming diffusers for pets are one of the simplest ways to ease stress without sedation. But these two products target completely different species, so choosing the right one matters. Below, we break down how each works, when to use it, and which diffuser suits your household.
How Pheromone Diffusers Work
Pheromones are naturally occurring chemical signals that animals produce to communicate safety, comfort, and bonding. A calming diffuser for pets replicates these signals synthetically, releasing them into the air through a plug-in device that warms a liquid refill.
Because pheromones are species-specific, a product designed for dogs has zero effect on cats — and vice versa. That's exactly why Adaptil and Feliway exist as separate product lines. Neither contains sedatives or drugs; they simply mimic the "all-clear" messages each species already recognizes.
Most diffusers cover a single room (roughly 70 square meters of open space). They work continuously in the background, making them ideal for ongoing stress rather than one-off events.
Adaptil: The Dog-Specific Calming Solution
Adaptil replicates the "dog-appeasing pheromone" (DAP) that nursing mothers naturally release to comfort their puppies. Adult dogs still respond to this pheromone, associating it with feelings of safety and reassurance.
The diffuser format is best for dogs that spend most of their time in one area of the home. It's commonly used for separation anxiety, noise-related stress (fireworks, storms), and settling rescue dogs into new environments.
Adaptil also comes in collar and spray formats for on-the-go support — helpful during car rides, boarding, or vet visits. However, the plug-in diffuser remains the most popular choice for day-to-day household calm.
- Best for: Separation anxiety, noise phobias, new-home adjustment
- Format options: Diffuser, collar, spray
- Refill cycle: Approximately every 30 days
Quick tip: Place your diffuser in the room where your pet spends the most time — not a hallway or entryway. Pheromones circulate best in enclosed spaces, and positioning the unit behind furniture or curtains can block airflow and reduce effectiveness.
Feliway: The Cat-Specific Calming Solution
Feliway replicates the feline facial pheromone — the scent cats deposit when they rub their cheeks against furniture, doorframes, and people. This pheromone marks an area as familiar and safe, reducing stress-driven behaviors like urine spraying, scratching, and hiding.
Feliway Classic is the standard option, ideal for single-cat households dealing with environmental changes such as moving, renovating, or introducing new furniture. Feliway Friends (formerly Feliway Multicat) releases a different pheromone — the one nursing queens produce — and is designed specifically to reduce tension and conflict between cats that share a home.
- Feliway Classic — best for: Spraying, scratching, hiding, general stress
- Feliway Friends — best for: Multi-cat tension, hissing, chasing, resource guarding
- Refill cycle: Approximately every 30 days
Like Adaptil, Feliway is also available in spray form for targeted use on carriers, bedding, or specific furniture. The spray is handy for short-term events, while the diffuser provides round-the-clock support.
Key Differences at a Glance
Both brands use the same plug-in concept and 30-day refill schedule, but they're fundamentally different products. Here's a quick comparison:
- Species: Adaptil = dogs only; Feliway = cats only
- Pheromone type: Adaptil mimics dog-appeasing pheromone; Feliway mimics feline facial or maternal pheromone
- Primary behaviors addressed: Adaptil targets anxiety, barking, and pacing; Feliway targets spraying, scratching, and inter-cat conflict
- Multi-pet variant: Feliway offers a dedicated multi-cat formula (Feliway Friends); Adaptil does not need one since dogs rarely display the same territorial pheromone conflicts
- Wearable option: Adaptil offers a collar; Feliway does not
If you have both dogs and cats in the home, you can safely run both diffusers simultaneously — each pheromone is invisible to the other species and has no crossover effect on humans, either.
Choosing the Right Diffuser for Your Home
The decision is straightforward in most cases: pick the product that matches your pet's species. Where it gets more nuanced is choosing which format within each brand.
Go with the diffuser if: Your pet's stress is ongoing and centered around the home — think daily separation anxiety, chronic spraying, or a long-term multi-cat tension issue. The continuous release means you set it and forget it.
Go with the spray if: The stressor is short-term or location-specific — a carrier for a vet trip, a crate during travel, or a new piece of furniture your cat is avoiding.
Go with the collar (Adaptil only) if: Your dog's anxiety follows them everywhere — walks, car rides, daycare, and beyond. The collar provides mobile pheromone support for up to four weeks.
For best results, start the diffuser at least 24–48 hours before an anticipated stressful event. Pheromones need time to saturate a room, and many pet owners notice gradual improvement over the first one to two weeks of continuous use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Adaptil and Feliway in the same room?
Yes. Each pheromone is species-specific, so dogs won't react to Feliway and cats won't react to Adaptil. Running both in a shared living space is perfectly safe and won't cause interference between the two.
How long does it take for a calming diffuser to start working?
Most pet owners begin noticing behavioral changes within the first seven days, although some pets respond sooner. For ongoing issues, it's worth running the diffuser continuously for at least 30 days before assessing its full impact.
Do calming diffusers work for all types of anxiety?
Pheromone diffusers are most effective for environmentally triggered stress — noise phobias, new homes, travel, and multi-pet tension. For severe or clinical anxiety, a quick chat with your vet can help determine whether additional behavioral support is needed alongside pheromone therapy.
Ready to bring some calm into your home? Browse our full range of Adaptil products for dogs and Feliway products for cats — all at everyday low prices with fast delivery.