Veterinary visits can be a significant source of stress for dogs, often triggering anxiety-related behaviors that affect both welfare and examination accuracy. In a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study published in Animals, I. Puglisi and colleagues investigated whether a new dog appeasing pheromone (DAP) gel could mitigate stress in dogs during veterinary examinations.
The study involved 28 dogs undergoing standardized veterinary visits, including time in both the waiting room and examination room. Researchers recorded behavioral changes such as lip licking, panting, and body posture, alongside physiological indicators like heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, temperature, and salivary cortisol.
In the waiting room, dogs exposed to DAP showed a significant decrease in lip licking—a common stress signal—along with increased panting and a near-significant reduction in low body postures. However, once in the examination room, no notable behavioral or physiological differences were observed between the DAP and placebo groups.
The findings suggest that DAP gel may offer limited situational relief, helping dogs relax in moderately stressful environments like waiting areas, but may be less effective during intense stress such as physical examination. The study underscores the importance of combining pheromone support with gentle handling and environmental management to improve welfare during veterinary visits.
Source: Puglisi, I., Masucci, M., Cozzi, A., Teruel, E., Navarra, M., Cirmi, S., Pennisi, M., & Siracusa, C. (2022). Effects of a Novel Gel Formulation of Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP) on Behavioral and Physiological Stress Responses in Dogs Undergoing Clinical Examination. Animals, 12. Published September 1, 2022.
