ZENIDOG^® Pheromone Products

When dogs get tangled up in stress, they often show behaviors that can damage the human-animal bond. Inappropriate behaviors —
including those caused by stress — are one of the most common reasons people surrender or return their pets to shelters.^1–3

Helping your clients untangle their dog’s stress can play a role in:

• Managing inappropriate behaviors
• Improving quality of life for your patients
• Restoring a sense of well-being to the household
• Keeping clients and their pets together
   

 

Stress triggers for dogs might include loud noises, storms, crowds, and unfamiliar people, pets or places. In a study of client-reported signs, 72.5% of dogs exhibited some form of stressed behavior.⁴ Stress-related behaviors will vary, but they can include:^2,5

Pheromones function in dogs

Dogs secrete multiple types of pheromones, fulfilling various functions, including soothing
and stress-related behavioral effects.⁶ Some of the more common behaviors and anatomical
areas of pheromone secretion include:

• Social status or dominance (facial area, perianal complex and genital complex)
• Alarm (legs, perianal complex)
• Marking (legs, perianal complex, urine and feces)
• Sexual (perianal complex, genital complex)
• Appeasing (mammary complex) — see more about this below

 

Physical perception of pheromones

Odor perception happens spontaneously when a portion of inhaled air moves through the
olfactory mucosa.⁶ By contrast, pheromones are sensed and processed through the
vomeronasal organ.

Even though pheromones may have specific odors, those odors can also stimulate the opening
of the vomeronasal organ.⁶ The vomeronasal nerve transmits pheromonal stimulation to the
accessory olfactory bulb, and then to the amygdala and limbic system.

As in people, the limbic system and hypothalamus in dogs govern emotions and hormones.⁶
Stressful situations activate the limbic system and hypothalamus, and the pet may display
various signs or reactive behaviors.⁶

ZENIDOG Pheromone Products contain an analogue of a dog-appeasing pheromone
emitted by nursing mother dogs. This analogue helps manage stress-related signs
and behaviors in dogs.
 

 

ZENIDOG^® Gel Diffuser

Pet owner perception study⁷

• Marked improvement of stress-related behaviors starting at day 7
• Most signs of stress improved by at least 50%
• Achieved pet owner satisfaction rates and perception of positive results comparable to the main competitor

STANDOUT CHARACTERISTICS

Convenience

• Fully portable, with no electricity required
• Discreet appearance and no perceptible odor to humans

Longevity & eco-friendliness

• Lasts up to two months (twice as long as the main competitor)
• Conserves energy by functioning without a power source

 

ZENIDOG^® Long-Acting Collar

Pet owner perception study⁷

• Statistically significant (p<0.05) improvement of signs of stress starting at day 15
• Signs of stress reduced by 89% at day 90
• Yielded pet owner satisfaction rates and perception of positive results comparable
  to the main competitor

STANDOUT CHARACTERISTICS

Convenience

• Stylish and available in two sizes — puppies and dogs up to 22.0 lbs, and puppies
  and dogs 22.1–110.0 lbs
• Can be used with antiparasitic collars, with no loss of efficacy⁷

Longevity & eco-friendliness

• Lasts for up to three months (three times as long as the main competitor)

 

“This gel diffuser offers a novel delivery method of a pheromone we already use clinically. Whether freeing up electrical
outlets in your clinic and exam rooms or letting you place a diffuser right next to a pet’s resting or confinement area, this
product is a game changer.”

Amy Pike, DVM, DACVB, IAABC-CABC, Boarded Veterinary Behaviorist

 

“ZENIDOG Pheromone Products helped my dog seem more relaxed. She was also less reactive to stressors than before.”
Dog owner perception study participant

To order ZENIDOG Pheromone Products, talk with your distributor
or Virbac representative, or call 1-844-484-7222.

 

 

Shop Virbac on Vetcove

You can shop all Virbac products on Vetcove and connect your distributor accounts to purchase and access rewards.

Shop now!

 

 

 

 

Pet Owner Information:

We have a separate site specifically tailored to pet owners with all the information you need to ensure your pets are taken care of to the highest degree! Click here to view this product's page on our pet owner website!

 

For your healthcare team

• ZENIDOG Brand Products detailer (PDF)
• Talk with your Virbac representative if you’d like to schedule an in-clinic seminar (virtual or in person) for your team

For your clients

• ZENIDOG Brand Products brochure (PDF)
• ZENIDOG Brand Products in-clinic one-sheeter (PDF)

For your website, social media & online communications

• Virbac Veterinary Resource Center »

 

References:

1. Powell L, Reinhard C, Satriale D, Morris M, Serpell J, Watson B. Characterizing unsuccessful animal adoptions: age and breed
predict the likelihood of return, reasons for return and post-return outcomes. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):8018. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-87649-2.
2. Keeping pets (dogs and cats) in homes: A three-phase retention study. Phase II: descriptive study of post-adoption retention in six shelters in three U.S. cities. American Humane Association. https://www.americanhumane.org/app/uploads/2016/08/petsmartkeeping-
pets-phase-ii.pdf. Accessed May 6, 2022.
3. Salman MD, Hutchison J, Ruch-Gallie R, et al. Behavioral reasons for relinquishment of dogs and cats to 12 shelters. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2000;3(2):93-106. doi: 10.1207/S15327604JAWS0302_2.
4. Sheppard G, Mills DS. Evaluation of dog-appeasing pheromone as a potential treatment for dogs fearful of fireworks. Vet Rec. 2003;152(14):432-436. doi: 10.1136/vr.152.14.432.
5. Hansen C. Stronger client relationships are key to better patient care. dvm360. https://www.dvm360.com/view/stronger-clientrelationships-are-key-to-better-patient-care. Accessed May 6, 2022.
6. Pageat P, Gaultier E. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003;33(2):187-211. doi: 10.1016/s0195-5616(02)00128-6. Erratum in: Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2003;33(4):10. PMID: 12701508.
7. Nicolas CS, Espuña G, Girardin A, Fatjó J, Bowen J, Monginoux P. Owner-perception of the effects of two long-lasting dog-appeasing pheromone analog devices on situational stress in dogs. Animals (Basel). 2022;12(1):122. doi: 10.3390/ani12010122.

 

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