Does it actually work?
Feliway has been offered for sale at pet shops, veterinarian clinics, and online retailers for a while.
You might be aware that it has to do with cat behavior, but you might not know much about it. Feliway is essentially a cat pheromone-based product, which might surprise you.
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Explain Feliway
The familiarization pheromone for cats is identical to the conventional Feliway. When your cat bunts, or rubs her face against anything, she is applying this pheromone to the object. This is where your cat feels safe and is letting you know that it is his or her territory. The original Feliway formulas are offered as sprays, wipes, and plug-in diffusers. Diffusers may cover up to 750 square feet and last for up to 30 days, making them the most cost-effective household goods. Carriers and bedding can be treated with sprays. If you routinely assist with shelter or foster cats, use the wipes on yourself to calm new and frightened kitties.
After the initial introduction of Classic Feliway, Feliway Multicat was offered for sale. Feliway Classic and Multicat use different pheromones. It is actually a man-made replica of the pheromone that nursing mother cats emit.
Does Feliway Actually Work?
Feliway has traditionally been marketed as a way to control undesirable in-home behaviors caused by stress. Intercat aggression, mischief-making, and scratching are just a few examples of behaviors that could be brought on by medical conditions, but they can also be brought on by behavioral problems. Research has been done over the years to assess Feliway’s claims. These studies have shown that cats exposed to Feliway and cats exposed to a placebo exhibit the same physiological changes (in terms of heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, etc.).
But as veterinary behaviorists learn more about how cats (and dogs) behave, they become more aware that no one product will be entirely effective. There is no “miracle solution.” Instead, a multi-modal approach to treatment is more effective in behavior medicine. In other words, adopting a variety of therapeutic modalities is the best way to treat a behavioral condition.
What Can I Do to Enhance the Results on Feliway?
Even when Feliway alone may not appear to have any effect on cat behavior, combining Feliway with additional anti-anxiety medications may enable you to notice a more noticeable improvement in cat behavior. The over-the-counter drugs known as nutraceuticals resemble pharmaceuticals and make similar claims. Behavioral nutraceuticals include items like Zylkene (hydrolyzed milk protein from cows), Anxitane (L-Theanine, an amino acid found in green tea leaves), and Composure chews (treats that contain a blend of colostrum, L-Theanine, and thiamine). Your veterinarian might also suggest a specific diet. Your cat’s uneasiness at home can be reduced with diets like Royal Canin’s Calm and Hill’s c/d stress. Cats with Pandora syndrome benefit greatly from The Hill’s c/d stress (sometimes also termed FLUTD or FIC). Of course, there are also actual drugs that can help cure behavioral problems. Your cat’s veterinarian may opt to prescribe a behavioral medication.
Identify the problem’s root cause.
Finding the cat’s stressor would obviously be the greatest place to start in finding a solution. The litter box may not be used by cats if it is too dirty, they dislike the type of litter, or the edges are too high for their arthritic hips to enter. Your veterinarian can talk with you about the design of your litter box and provide advice with any modifications you might consider. More resources can help lessen destructive scratching and intercat fighting, such as more water bowls, comfortable sleeping locations, and scratching areas.
Cats want to be elevated above the earth. Because of this, they regularly leap on worktops and tables. Giving “vertical surfaces” like cat trees, cat shelves, etc. might therefore help to stop counter jumping and also give more resources inside the house. Vertical surfaces in a multi-cat home can also provide “alternative passageways” in busy areas. Try to locate the region of the house where fights tend to occur most frequently if you have numerous cats and are having issues with inter-cat violence. If there are more cats present, the presence of vertical surfaces can make the space feel less crowded and more comfortable for your cats (such as hallways and stairwells).
In the event that Feliway isn’t having the desired results in your home, speak with your veterinarian about additional possibilities. Sometimes something as simple as installing another litter box or moving a cat scratcher to a safer and more convenient location will fix a behavioral issue. Your veterinarian can help you and your cat learn how to lead stress-free lives.
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