Based on data from an online survey conducted by the American Veterinary Medical Association in the early spring of 2024, 42.2 million households in the US own at least one cat and do their best to give their pet the best life possible.
Cats are extremely sensitive animals that react to any type of external influence, discomfort, fear, or nervousness. Living in a situation of anxiety or stress can heavily impact the behavior of these pets, causing loss of appetite, apathy, gastrointestinal problems, or, on the contrary, hyperactivity, aggression, and any other symptoms.
Pet lovers are ready to invest in their cats’ health and well-being. They often purchase cat diffusers to stabilize their beloved fur friends’ moods and facilitate their coexistence at home by eliminating unwanted behaviors.
İçindekiler
Overview of the global pet care market
Everything about cat diffusers
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Overview of the global pet care market
According to Precedence Research, experts have estimated the global pet care market size to be at USD 324.19 billion in 2024, and it is growing at an impressive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.03%, reaching around USD 597.51 billion by 2033.
Looking back at the past 10–15 years, the pet care market has generated a progressive increase in turnover on average, which is higher than the volume growth. Several factors explain the trend. First, families all over the world continue to adopt and sometimes buy pets.
Second, the so-called “humanization” process of pets and the rise of the pet-parenting phenomenon with a rising number of cat parents, #petmums, and #petdads on Instagram, TikTok, and other social platforms: pet owners increasingly consider their pets as members of the family and, consequently, are willing to allocate greater expenditures towards their health and well-being.
Last but not least, attention is being paid to product premiumization: Consumers don’t just buy pet foods and toys but increasingly want personalized products for the specific needs of their pets based on breed, age, habits, and pathologies.
Everything about cat diffusers
For pet product retailers, understanding the functioning and benefits of cat diffusers is essential to satisfy an increasingly informed and demanding clientele.
Offering a selection of high-quality diffusers can increase sales and strengthen the trust of customers looking for effective and safe products for the well-being of their feline friends.
How cats communicate
A cat’s meowing is its way of speaking to humans. Adult cats don’t meow to communicate with each other; they use the olfactory (or odorous) chemical communication that all cats use to interact with each other and with the world around them.
Through some special glands, felines produce large quantities of pheromones that transmit different meanings and messages to other cats and influence their behavior. All cats know how to interpret these signals regardless of their age.
There are many pheromone-producing glands, and most are concentrated around the face, on the chin, under the ears, on the forehead, in the cheeks, and around the mouth. Some olfactory glands are in the pads under the paws and around the nipples of females. Finally, pheromones are also present in their urine.
When cats rub against objects and surfaces in the house, scratch them, or spray urine, they try to communicate with their owner or other cats in the same space.
What’s a cat diffuser?
A cat diffuser is a device with refills that, once plugged in, emits chemical substances that mimic those that cats themselves naturally produce to communicate signals and moods.
Pheromone diffusers diffuse into the space a sort of “relaxing perfume” that the cat perceives through a specific organ called the vomeronasal organ. Still, the human nose cannot detect that. Specifically, most cat diffusers contain a drug-free formula of “tranquility” pheromones or ecto-hormones (secreted outside the body).
These products are used by cat parents when, for example, they adopt a new kitten, move, travel, or go on vacation; leave their cat home alone; change furniture or paint the walls; introduce a new animal or person to the house; or in any other potentially stressful situation.
The most well-known cat diffusers on the market are the Feliway and Equilibria types, but many other effective manufacturers exist.
Synthetic pheromones vs. natural aromas for cats
Synthetic pheromones are copies of the pheromones that cats produce: these chemical substances send positive messages and fight common signs of stress, such as urine marking and scratching.
However, some cat diffusers contain natural pheromones of plant origin that release a substance that helps animals overcome stressful situations entirely naturally.
In addition to the cat diffuser, some consumers use common essential oils to fill the house with pleasant scents for them and their furry friends. Some of these oils also have beneficial effects on cats: geranium oil has a calming effect, lavender oil is relaxing, and clary sage oil helps them keep their fur shiny and clean.
Nasıl Kullanılmalı?
A cat diffuser is generally effective for a few months, usually six, after which it needs to be recharged with a diffuser refill containing new cat pheromones for continuous calming benefits.
Regular use 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, guarantees an increase in the well-being of all cats in the household and the reduction of incorrect behavior, like urine spraying and/or behavior related to discomfort or stress.
It is essential to place it where the cat spends most time, away from sources that could obstruct or disperse the essence.
Cat diffusers are not dangerous
The vast majority of cat diffusers don’t contain “narcotic” substances or substances that impact the cat’s body in any way; they are particular smells capable of communicating safety and tranquility to the cat.
The cat recognizes the signals associated with combinations of over 40 different chemical molecules. This means the synthetic molecules of the diffuser will be recognized in the same way as the natural ones that the cat has been accustomed to since it was a kitten.
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Cat diffusers are a practical solution that pet owners are increasingly demanding to improve the well-being of their furry friends. Offering these products in your store means responding to a real need in the market and building loyalty among customers who are increasingly attentive to the health and serenity of their cats.
