Last Updated: 11/11/2025
Your Guide To Using Adaptil
Do you own a dog with anxiety? Check out our complete guide to using adaptil and the best time to use it for maximum results.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 2 minutes - short read
If your dog struggles with anxiety, stress, or nervous behaviours, you’re not alone — many pet parents experience the same challenges. From settling in a new puppy to managing separation anxiety or fear of loud noises, knowing how to best support your dog can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through when and how to use Adaptil, and help you choose the right product to keep your dog feeling calm and confident in any situation.
What is Adaptil?
Adaptil is an odourless, man-made version of Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP). DAP is released soon after a mother dog gives birth to establish feelings of wellbeing and attachment. When used correctly, Adaptil can promote these feelings in your dog or puppy to help them overcome anxiety and other behavioural problems.
When to use Adaptil
Adaptil can be used to help manage a number of anxiety related problems and stressful events in your dog's life including:
- Settling a new puppy into your home
- Separation anxiety
- Coping with loud noises
- Visiting the groomer or vet
- Staying at the boarding kennels
- Car sickness and travel anxiety
- Socialising or training your new puppy
Adaptil Diffuser
The Adaptil Diffuser is ideal for helping dogs feel calm and secure in their home environment. It works by continuously releasing comforting pheromones into the air, creating a sense of familiarity and reassurance for your dog. This makes it a great choice for dogs that spend most of their time indoors or experience anxiety when left alone, during loud events like thunderstorms or fireworks, or when adapting to new surroundings.
The diffuser provides consistent, long-term support, offering a steady background of calm both day and night.
The unit simply plugs into a standard power outlet and uses a changeable vial that releases pheromones steadily over time. Each vial lasts for approximately 30 days and covers an area of 50–70m².
Refill packs are available so you can easily replace the vial each month while reusing the same plug-in unit, ensuring continuous comfort for your dog.
Adaptil Collar
The Adaptil Collar is ideal for helping dogs and puppies feel calm and confident wherever they go. It works by using your pet’s body heat to steadily release comforting pheromones into their immediate environment, helping to create a constant sense of reassurance. This makes it a great choice for dogs that experience stress when travelling, boarding, training, socialising, or coping with loud noises and separation anxiety.
The collar provides consistent, on-the-go support, making it well suited to active dogs or those who spend time both indoors and outdoors. It should remain on at all times, except during bathing or grooming, to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
The collars are available in a range of sizes to fit dogs of all breeds, ensuring a snug and comfortable fit for optimal results. There’s also a Puppy Collar specifically designed to help young dogs adjust to new experiences and build confidence during their socialisation period. Each collar lasts for approximately four weeks before needing replacement, offering continuous comfort and reassurance for your dog.
Adaptil Spray
The Adaptil Spray is a fast-acting, flexible option for short-term or situational use. It’s ideal for helping dogs stay calm during stressful events such as car travel, vet visits, grooming appointments, fireworks, or thunderstorms. The spray can be applied directly onto your dog’s bedding, inside crates, carriers, or in the car to create a familiar and reassuring environment.
Each application lasts for around 1.5 to 2 hours, making it best suited for temporary situations rather than continuous use. For travel, it should be sprayed in the car or carrier about 15 minutes before your dog enters, allowing time for the alcohol carrier to evaporate. The spray should never be applied directly onto your dog.
Compact and convenient, Adaptil Spray is perfect for use on the go or in specific settings where a diffuser or collar may not be practical, providing a quick way to help your dog feel calm and secure when faced with sudden changes or challenges.
FAQs
The Adaptil range provides a safe and effective way for you to help manage your dog's stress and anxiety. Remember that if you are still having problems with your dog's behaviour it is best to consult your veterinarian for further advice
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Tue Nov 11 2025
Edited by Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
