Stress in a cat rarely looks like stress. It looks like hiding behind the sofa for a fortnight after the builders leave, or a bald strip on the belly from over-grooming, or spraying beside the back door in the week a new tom starts using the garden. A pheromone collar works quietly in the background on precisely those situations, without a pill or a struggle.

The collar carries a blend of pheromone and essential oils, released steadily by the warmth of the cat's body as they move around, so the reassurance travels with them rather than staying in one room the way a plug-in diffuser does. That is the real argument for a collar in a house with more than one floor or more than one cat. It is light, adjustable and water-resistant, and made to be worn continuously: fit it snugly, trim the excess and leave it alone.

• Pheromone and essential-oil blend
• Adjustable band that fits cats of all sizes
• Water-resistant and made for round-the-clock wear
• Trim to length once fitted
• Aimed at house moves, visitors, fireworks and vet trips
• A drug-free approach to everyday stress

Two things worth knowing. And be realistic about pheromones, because the evidence is mixed and none of it addresses the cause. If a cat is spraying or over-grooming, look at the litter trays too, with one per cat plus a spare as the starting point.

Who it's for: owners of an anxious cat facing a known upheaval, who want something gentle to try alongside sorting out the environment.