Feliway: A Cat Owner's Guide

Introduction

As a veterinarian, I often encounter cat owners struggling with their pets' behavioral issues. One effective solution that has garnered attention in the veterinary community is Feliway. This blog will explore what Feliway is, how it works, and how it can benefit your feline friends.

What is Feliway?

Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product designed to mimic the facial pheromones that cats naturally produce. These pheromones are used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. By replicating these pheromones, Feliway helps create a calming environment for cats.

How Does Feliway Work?

When cats rub their faces against objects, they leave behind facial pheromones that signal safety and comfort. Feliway products, such as diffusers and sprays, release a synthetic version of these pheromones into the environment. This helps reduce stress-related behaviors such as scratching, spraying, hiding, and aggression.

Types of Feliway Products

1. Feliway Classic: This product helps create a calming environment for cats and is effective in reducing stress-related behaviors such as scratching, hiding, urine marking, and home changes.
2. Feliway Friends: Specifically designed for multi-cat households, Feliway Friends helps reduce tension and conflicts between cats living together, and avoid signs like fighting, blocking, chasing and staring. It promotes harmony and reduces aggression.
3. Feliway Optimum: The most advanced formula, Feliway Optimum, offers enhanced calming effects and is suitable for addressing a wider range of stress-related behaviors in cats such as scratching, urine spraying, tension conflict between cats, hiding, and reactions to changes.

Benefits of Using Feliway

1. Reducing Stress During Changes: Moving to a new home, introducing new pets, or changes in the household can be stressful for cats. Feliway helps ease this transition by providing a sense of familiarity.
2. Minimizing Behavioral Issues: Cats often exhibit undesirable behaviors when stressed. Feliway can help reduce scratching, urine marking, and excessive grooming by creating a more relaxed environment.
3. Improving Multi-Cat Household Harmony: In homes with multiple cats, territorial disputes can arise. Feliway Friends is specifically formulated to reduce tension and promote harmony among cats.
4. Enhancing Vet Visits and Travel: Trips to the vet or traveling can be distressing for cats. Using Feliway in the carrier or car can help keep your cat calm during these stressful times.

Safety of Feliway

Feliway is a pheromone-based scent and poses no danger of overdose to cats. It is not a drug and does not impact the body in any physiological way. It simply sends a calming message to the cat. Humans and other animals are not affected by it, as they are unable to detect cat pheromones. Feliway products are odor-free and will have no effect on you.

How to Use Feliway

1. Feliway Diffuser: Plug the diffuser into an electrical outlet in the room where your cat spends the most time. Each diffuser covers an area of about 700 square feet and lasts for approximately 30 days.
2. Feliway Spray: Spray Feliway on your cat's bedding, carriers, or other areas where they exhibit stress-related behaviors. Avoid spraying directly on your cat.

Conclusion

Feliway is a valuable tool for cat owners looking to improve their pet's well-being and reduce stress-related behaviors. By understanding and utilizing this synthetic pheromone product, you can create a more harmonious and relaxed environment for your feline companion. If you’re considering using Feliway, contact us at Valley Veterinary Services to ensure it’s the right solution for your cat’s specific needs.

For more veterinary tips and advice, stay tuned to our blog at Valley Veterinary Services. Your pet's health and happiness are our top priorities! We look forward to welcoming you and your pets to Valley Veterinary Services!

Written by Dr. Yuri Yoon