Effects of a synthetic feline facial pheromone analogue (F3, Feliway®) on stress and cardiovascular parameters during clinical examination in cats: a prospective crossover study.

BACKGROUND

Veterinary examinations in cats are essential for clinical assessment; however, stress often interferes with handling and data reliability. This study evaluated the cardiovascular and behavioral effects of a synthetic feline facial pheromone (F3) during cardiovascular examinations. A prospective repeated-measurements study was performed with 21 healthy mixed-breed cats over one year of age, non-aggressive and free of comorbidities. Each cat was assessed without pheromone exposure (T0) and after exposure (T1) using diffuser and spray formulations. Cats were transported in carriers and allowed a 20-minute acclimation period under controlled environmental conditions. Stress was assessed by two observers, followed by blood pressure measurement and cardiovascular evaluation. The second assessment occurred within 20 days, with the room prepared 48 h in advance with the pheromone analogue to minimize potential sequence or carry-over effects. Procedures were standardized and conducted by the same team. Statistical analyses compared time points and sexes and correlations between stress and cardiovascular variables with significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

All animals were clinically healthy, mean age of 5.73 ± 1.98 years, body weight of 5.41 ± 1.44 kg, and a majority being female. No significant differences were observed between temperature, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, or arterial pressures (p > 0.05). The mean stress score decreased by 0.24 units at T1 (p < 0.05). Among electrocardiographic parameters, only maximum HR differed significantly between T0 and T1 (p < 0.05); all other parameters showed no significant differences. Significant differences were observed for ejection fraction (EF%), fractional shortening (FS%), A-wave velocity, and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) (p < 0.05). The number of animals with fused waves decreased and females showed a trend toward stress reduction, but without significance (p > 0.05). The S-wave amplitude, left ventricular internal diameter in systole (LVIDs), and EF% decreased only in males (p < 0.05). Both sexes showed differences in SF% and MAPSE (p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between stress and cardiovascular variables (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The synthetic analogue pheromone shows potential stress-related effects, may provide short-term cardiovascular benefits, no adverse effects, and may support cardiovascular assessments in healthy cats.