Effect of a synthetic analogue of the feline facial pheromone on salivary cortisol levels in the domestic cat

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of a saliva collection device (Salivette®) to measure cortisol levels in saliva samples of domestic cats and to assess the effect of a synthetic analogue of the feline facial pheromone fraction F3 (Feliway®) on cortisol levels. A total of 28 domestic cats from a private high-quality sanctuary were sampled before exposure to the facial pheromone and after 35 days of exposure. Two pheromone devices were placed in the area where the animals ate to guarantee the exposure of all cats. The collecting device yielded a sufficient volume of saliva (≥ 0.20mL) to allow cortisol measurement. Cortisol measurements ranged from 0.02g/dL to 0.16μg/dL, with a difference between before (42.1%) and after (62.6%) exposure to the pheromone (F=3.2351; p≥0.0002). No difference in cortisol levels was observed between before (x =0.078μg/dL) and after (x =0.066μg/dL) (t=1.79; p=0.08) exposure. However, salivary cortisol levels decreased in 75% (21/28) of the cats after exposure (x2=12.07; p=0.0005), suggesting that the animals have different susceptibilities to the pheromone or that they spent different lengths of time in the area where the pheromone devices were installed.