Calming a Scottie without affecting your cat

Separation anxiety is one of the most distressing things for both dog and owner — and the fact that you're also having to protect a senior cat from the solution makes this genuinely tricky. Diffusers like Adaptil or Pet Remedy fill the air in a room, which means whatever the dog gets, the cat gets too, and that's not ideal for an older animal who may already be sensitive. So you're right to look for something targeted. Before I point you in a clear direction: how bad is your Scottie's anxiety when you leave — are we talking whining and pacing, or destructive behaviour and full distress? And how long has this been going on?

That's really helpful context. A move triggering it at six makes complete sense — Scotties are territorial and routine-driven, and a new environment can genuinely unsettle them even when they seem otherwise confident. The 20-30 minute settle window is actually a positive sign; it tells us his nervous system isn't completely dysregulated, he's just struggling with the departure itself. The challenge is finding something that travels with him rather than sitting in the air. Can I ask — does he spend his alone time in a particular room, or does he have run of the house? And is he crated or free-roaming?

Exactly — and with a 14-year-old cat, I wouldn't want to risk it either. Given everything you've described, I'd go with the Adaptil Calm On-The-Go Collar for your Scottie. It's a collar that releases dog-appeasing pheromones directly into the area around his face and body — it's completely self-contained, so your cat never encounters it at all. The pheromone in Adaptil is species-specific anyway, but the collar format removes any ambient exposure entirely. It lasts around four weeks, works continuously, and because it goes on the dog it's active during the exact moments that matter — when you're getting ready to leave and in that first anxious window after you go. For a dog with a moderate, post-move anxiety that has a clear settle point, this is typically the most effective single product intervention. Pair it with a consistent departure routine — same sequence every time, no fuss goodbyes — and most dogs like your Scottie see a real improvement within two to three weeks.

Good question, and yes, Scotties can have sensitive skin — it's worth knowing. The Adaptil collar is latex-free and the pheromone itself is inert, so it doesn't cause reactions. That said, check the fit carefully: you want two fingers between the collar and his neck, and don't put it under a tight-fitting harness where the material would be pressed against skin all day. If he has any existing skin conditions around his neck, mention it to your vet first — but for the vast majority of Scotties it's completely fine. The collar is available on Amazon UK and is usually around £20-25 for the four-week version, which is good value given how targeted it is for your situation.

Really glad it fits. One last thing: because the anxiety started with the move, it's worth doing a few short practice absences in the first week — leave for five minutes, come back calm, build up gradually. The collar handles the biochemistry, but that kind of systematic desensitisation is what resets the pattern for good. Your Scottie sounds like he's got a decent resilience already — that settle window suggests he'll respond well. Good luck to both of them.