Science has spoken: they know and love our scent!
Always rule out any possible medical problems in your pet when they show any negative behavioral changes. MyLap Pet Bed is a pet pillow bed that allows you to add your scent to their bed and has calmed many pets and given them a comfy pet bed. There may be other factors that should be addressed, such as; is your pet getting enough exercise, can your pet be feeding off of your anxiety, are they left alone too much with no mental or physical simulation, etc. Never wait too long to seek professional help if your pet continues to show signs of distress.
barkpost.com/life/dogs-love-us-like-family/ Using scent with mutts in medicine In a study conducted by Emory University, dogs were placed in MRI machines. The area was made very comfortable (as comfortable as an MRI can be) for them and even included K9 chin rests. The dogs were then introduced to different scents to gauge their responses and the effect these scents had on their comfort levels. The full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376635714000473
Ask a Vet "So if your cat feels like your kitten or a member of your family, she might feel the most safe and comfortable resting on items that you have deemed ‘safe.’ Your clothes bear your scent and it is like a sign posted for your cat that says, “I have checked these items out and they are alright.” The full article: iheartcats.com/ask-a-vet-why-does-my-cat-sleep-on-my-clothes/
Help Your Dog's Anxiety "your smell can bring comfort to your dog" The full article:http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/natural-help-dog-separation-anxiety/
Vacation and Separation Anxiety in Cats See section, "Vacation and Decreasing Stress in Cats", Paragraph5, "Leave behind a scented item".... The full article https://www.thespruce.com/vacations-and-cat-behavior-problems-553930?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=shareurlbuttons
Separation Anxiety See section, Treating Separation Anxiety: "When you leave, place clothing with your scent in his crate or safe room. Sleep in it the night before. " The full article http://yourdogsfriend.org/help/separation-anxiety/