How Does Feliway Work?
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Introduction
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When looking for solutions to cat issues such as marking, urinating outside the litter box, aggressiveness, fear or anxiety, veterinarians often recommended Feliway.
Feliway is a liquid product, available as a spray or plug-in diffuser, that contains synthetic copies of feline facial pheromones. The scent produced helps calm cats.
Feliway was created by Ceva Sante Animale, a pharmaceutical laboratory in France, and has been available since 1997. It is also available in a product called Comfort Zone.
Marking
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Cats secrete pheromones from scent glands on different parts of their body, including the face, paw pads and anal glands. Pheromones are chemicals released by an animal that serve to influence the physiology or behavior of that species.
When cats inspect an area, they often rub their facial pheromones on it in order to familiarize themselves with the spot, mark their territory and provide self-comfort. This is like putting a check mark by an area, as if to make a note that the spot was inspected and deemed acceptable. -
Uses
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When cats feel stressed or frightened, they often act territorial. They mark by spraying or scratching in an attempt to feel safe and in control. Feliway mimics the pheromone smell produced during marking, and tells the cat that it is safe and secure.
Feliway spray can be applied to a particular problem area after it has been cleaned using a mild cleanser. For the scent to remain present, the spray should be re-applied daily at the site and to nearby objects. Feliway spray is often used as a spot treatment for cat marking, vertical scratching on walls or furniture, or in a carrier prior to cat transportation.
The Feliway diffuser can be plugged into an electrical socket to spread the scent throughout a room or open space. The diffuser is helpful following a move to a new home, during a change such as the introduction of a new pet or baby, and during loud events such as construction or fireworks. It can also be used to help cats better get along with each other.
Considerations
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Improvement may be noted within a week, but Feliway should be used for at least one month. Some cats will respond faster than others, and some cats will require longer use of Feliway.
Feliway contains alcohol and should not be sprayed directly on pets. The product also smells like alcohol at first, but the scent does not last.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Feliway.com
