Behavioral differences among domestic cats in the response to cat-attracting plants and their volatile compounds reveal a potential distinct mechanism of action for actinidine

A long-lasting gel-based diffuser of feline pheromone can help reduce undesirable behaviors in cats at home: comparison with an electric diffuser

Using pheromone diffusers is part of the strategy to control stress-related behaviors in cats (Felis catus). The goal of the study was to compare the efficacy of a novel long-acting, unpowered gel-based diffuser containing a facial pheromone analog (Zenifel® gel diffuser, Virbac) with a similar electrically powered feline pheromone diffuser that already has proven efficacy, on situational stress in cats, at home. The study involved 90 owners of cats presenting undesirable behaviors receiving one diffuser or the other: 46 received one gel diffuser and 44 received one plug-in device and a refill, for the 2-month study duration. The presence of the various undesirable behaviors was checked regularly and a general score was given to rate their presence. The most reported behaviors were related to hypervigilance, seeking the owner's attention, hiding, excessive vocalization, inactivity, and excessive scratching. All six behaviors significantly improved over time with Zenifel® while only four improved with the reference product (no improvement for excessive meowing and inactivity). The general score significantly improved as of day 7 in both groups, with no difference between groups. More owners said they would use the product throughout the year with Zenifel® than with the reference product (80% vs. 42%, p < 0.05). Therefore, both diffusers can be used to help control undesirable behaviors of cats at home but Zenifel® is more convenient to use throughout the year.

Development of the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry-based aroma designer capable of modifying volatile chemical compositions in complex odors

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used to produce various commercial products with aromas mimicking natural products. The VOCs responsible for aromas have been identified from many natural products. The current major strategy is to analyze chemical compositions and aroma qualities of individual VOCs using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and GC-olfactometry. However, such analyses cannot determine whether candidate VOCs contribute to the characteristic aroma in mixtures of many VOCs. In this study, we developed a GC/MS-based VOC collection/omission system that can modify the VOC compositions of samples easily and rapidly. The system is composed of GC/MS with a switching unit that can change gas flow routes between MS and a VOC collection device. We first applied this system to prepare gas samples for omission tests, and the aroma qualities of VOC mixtures with and without some VOCs were evaluated by panelists. If aroma qualities were different between the 2 samples, the omitted VOCs were likely key odorants. By collecting VOCs in a gas bag attached to the collection device and transferring some VOCs to MS, specific VOCs could be omitted easily from the VOC mixture. The system could prepare omission samples without chemical identification, preparation of each VOC, and laborious techniques for mixing VOCs, thus overcoming the limitations of previous methods of sample preparation. Finally, the system was used to prepare artificial aromas by replacing VOC compositions between different samples for screening of key odorants. In conclusion, the system developed here can improve aroma research by identifying key odorants from natural products.

Assessing the safety and suitability of using silver vine as an olfactory enrichment for cats

Olfactory enrichment is a strategy that can improve welfare among animals managed in captivity, such as household domestic cats. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) and silver vine (Actinidia polygama) that produce iridoids are used as olfactory enrichments for cats, but little is known about the safety or the best plant resources to use that maximize positive cat responses. We report physiological effects and suitable harvest and drying methods for using silver vine as olfactory enrichment. Continuous exposure of cats to silver vine showed no hallmarks of addictive behavior, while blood indicators of stress and hepatic or renal injury showed no increase in cats stimulated with it. Drying the leaves changed the iridoid profile, enhancing the feline response. In conclusion, dried silver vine leaves are the most suitable resource for developing olfactory enrichment that maximizes feline typical response, which would not result in dependence, stress, or toxicity to the liver or kidneys in cats.