Behaviour & anxiety
Adaptil vs Feliway: Adaptil for Dogs, Feliway for Cats
Adaptil and Feliway look identical on the shelf and confuse many UK pet owners. Both deliver synthetic pheromones via plug-in diffusers — but they are species-specific and not interchangeable. Adaptil is for dogs. Feliway is for cats.
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What to look for
- Adaptil — for dogs only. Mimics the dog appeasing pheromone produced by lactating mothers.
- Feliway Classic — for cats only. Mimics the F3 facial pheromone cats deposit when rubbing cheeks.
- Feliway Friends — different cat pheromone for multi-cat households with social tension.
- Plug-in diffusers cover roughly one room — position in the room the pet uses most, not a hallway.
- Continuous use for chronic anxiety; episodic use (a week before) for predictable events.
What to avoid
- Using Adaptil on cats or Feliway on dogs — neither species detects the other's pheromone.
- Plugging into the wrong room — diffusers cover one room only.
- Stopping after a week for chronic anxiety — continuous use is the model.
Which product for which pet and situation
| Pet / situation | Product | Skip |
|---|---|---|
| Any dog, chronic or event-based anxiety | Adaptil plug-in diffuser (+ collar for roaming dogs) | Feliway on a dog — cats can't detect it and neither can dogs |
| Single cat, general anxiety | Feliway Classic diffuser | Adaptil on a cat — dogs and cats don't share pheromone receptors |
| Multi-cat household with tension between cats | Feliway Friends diffuser | Feliway Classic alone — Friends targets a different pheromone for social tension |
| Dog that spends time in more than one room | Adaptil collar as well as the diffuser | Relying on the diffuser alone if the dog isn't usually in that room |
How we chose these
The single most important fact in this guide is that these two pheromones are species-specific and not interchangeable — Adaptil for dogs, Feliway for cats, and swapping them has no effect. Everything else here is secondary to getting that one choice right.
Our top picks
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Amazon
Adaptil plug-in diffuser (dogs)
The dog version. Use for fireworks, separation anxiety, kennel stress, vet visit preparation.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Dogs only — chronic or predictable-event anxiety
- Continuous use for ongoing anxiety
Not for:- Cats — dogs and cats can't detect each other's pheromone
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Amazon
Refills last about 30 days. The unit is reusable indefinitely.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Keeping continuous coverage going without buying a new diffuser unit
Not for:- Use without the diffuser unit — refills alone do nothing
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Amazon
Feliway Classic diffuser (cats)
The cat version. Use for fireworks, moving house, urinary stress, new baby.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Cats only — general anxiety, new environments, vet-visit prep
Not for:- Dogs — no effect, this is a cat-specific pheromone
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Amazon
Buy in multipacks ahead of fireworks season — they sell out in October.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Maintaining coverage through a known stressful period
Not for:- Use without the diffuser unit
Vet-prescribed treatments & OTC medications
Prescription and over-the-counter treatments from a licensed UK veterinary pharmacy — flea, tick, worm, skin and wound care for dogs and cats.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Supplied by Best Vet Care (licensed UK veterinary pharmacy).
Browse Best Vet Care →Frequently asked questions
Can I use Adaptil on my cat?
No. Cats don't detect dog pheromones. Adaptil does nothing for cats. Use Feliway Classic for cats.
Can I use Feliway on my dog?
No. Dogs don't detect cat pheromones. Use Adaptil for dogs.
Can I use both Adaptil and Feliway in a multi-pet home?
Yes, and most multi-pet UK households should. Plug Adaptil where the dog rests, Feliway where the cat rests. They don't interfere with each other.
Does Feliway work on dogs?
No — Feliway is a cat pheromone. Dogs don't respond to it. For dogs, use Adaptil.
Also worth considering
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Amazon
Different cat pheromone for multi-cat households where cats fight or hiss at each other.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Multi-cat households with tension between specific cats
Not for:- Single-cat households — Feliway Classic is the right product there
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Amazon
Adaptil collar (dogs that roam)
For dogs that move between rooms or visit unfamiliar places. Replace monthly.
Check Price on Amazon →Good for:- Dogs that move between rooms or spend time outdoors
- Continuous coverage a fixed diffuser can't give
Not for:- Dogs that stay in one room — the plug-in diffuser alone is enough and cheaper
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