Pheromone compositions and uses thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition of less than or equal to about 1% of pheromones useful to treat or prevent a behavioral stress problem of a non-human mammal. It also relates to a device comprising said composition and to a method for preventing and/or treating stress-related behaviors in a non-human mammal, by using said composition or device.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising pheromones in an amount of less than or equal to about 1% by weight with respect to the total weight of said composition. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the pheromones are mixtures of fatty acids selected from:
 a) a mixture of oleic and palmitic acid;   b) a mixture of oleic and n-butyric acid;   c) a mixture of linoleic acid and valeric acid;   d) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid;   e) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and palmitoleic acid;   f) a mixture of capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid;   g) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, and myristic acid;   h) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, lauric acid and myristic acid;   i) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, myristic acid and pentadecanonic acid;   j) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, myristic acid, pentadecanonic acid and stearic acid;   k) a mixture of oleic acid, palmitic acid, linoleic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid and pentadecanonic acid;   l) a mixture of lauric acid, myristic acid, pentadecanonic, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, and linoleic acid; and   m) a mixture of oleic acid, azelaic acid, pimelic acid and palmitic acid;   
       said mixtures of fatty acids include mixtures of their derivatives or esters thereof 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the amount of pheromones is less or equal to about 0.9, 0.8, 0.7, 0.6, or 0.5% by weight with respect to the total weight of said composition, and the amount of pheromones is more than or equal to about 0.3% or 0.4% by weight with respect to the total weight of said composition. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the pheromones are mixtures of fatty acids as follows:
 a) about 55-65% of oleic acid and 45-35% of palmitic acid, their derivatives, salts or ester derivatives thereof; or   b) about 45% of oleic acid, 16% of azelaic acid, 18% of pimelic acid, and 21% of palmitic acid, their derivatives salts or ester derivatives thereof; or   c) about 30% of palmitic acid, 30% of oleic acid, and 40% linoleic acid, their derivatives, salts or esters derivatives thereof; or   d) about 30% of palmitic acid, 40% of linoleic acid, 10% acid palmitoleic and 20% of oleic acid, their derivatives salts or esters derivatives thereof; or   e) about 30% of oleic acid, 20% of palmitic acid, 20% of linoleic acid, 10% stearic acid, 5% pentadecanoic acid, 5% myristic acid and 2% lauric acid, their derivatives, salts or ester derivatives thereof; or   f) about 10% of valeric acid and 90% of linoleic acid, their derivatives, salts or esters derivatives thereof.   
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition further comprises lactic acid or an ester thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises a mixture of valeric acid, linoleic acid and ethyl lactate. 
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the composition comprises a mixture of valeric acid, linoleic acid and ethyl lactate and wherein the amounts in said mixture are about 75-85% of linoleic acid, 5-15% of valeric acid, and 10-20% of ethyl lactate. 
     
     
         22 . A method for the treatment of a behavioral stress problem of a non-human mammal, comprising the administration to said non-human mammal a composition as defined in  claim 15 . 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the composition is administered to a non-human mammal by propelling or applying the composition onto, over or near the non-human animal or a part thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the non-human mammal is a canine or feline. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the non-human mammal is a dog, and the behavioral stress problem is a stress sign selected from excessive barking, agitation, trembling, shaking, shivering, drooling, salivating, cowering and hiding, licking, scratching, yawning, clinging to owners, trying to run away, attempting to escape, soiling the place, excessive pacing and panting, refusing to eat, vomiting, whining, urinating, defaecating, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein the non-human mammal is a cat, and the behavioral stress problem is a stress sign selected from scratching, urine marking, aggression, food intake disorders, overgrooming or undergrooming, house soiling, decreased levels of activity, appearing withdrawn, or any combination of said signs. 
     
     
         27 . A method for preventing a cat from scratching on multiple objects, said method comprising placing at least one composition according to  claim 15  on an object scratched by said cat. 
     
     
         28 . A device comprising a composition as defined in  claim 15 , said device comprising a means for the release of the composition of pheromones. 
     
     
         29 . A kit comprising a device according to  claim 28 , and optionally a booklet providing instructions for the use of said device.