Feliway

Feliway market both a spray and a room diffuser, both of which emit a scent which encourages the cat to relax and to feel good.

I am possibly being a little cheeky as a review on the spray was done on Ciao in 2002, but I thought it such a good product that it was worth updating and bringing it to the fore again.

The scent is an artificial copy of the facial pheromone that cats release when they rub their chins alongside furniture etc. In doing this they are giving a signal to both themselves for the future, and to other cats, that this is a safe area, one in which they can relax and feel safe. When they themselves are then passing this area again, they know that they can let their guard down - sweet ehh and very similar to aromatherapy?

These pheromones are distinct form the ones they release from other parts of the body. Indeed, if they were omitted from the anal area it would be reminding them and telling others that this is an area to be avoided, an area of risk. Others will give sexual messages.

The scent from the diffuser cannot be smelt by humans, however the scent from the spray can be smelt, in fact it is a pleasant smell.

How do I know it’s good?
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I have 2 cats, both of which are strays and, in different ways, are quite nervous.

Katie was in fact born and living wild and seems to have been traumatised when caught. Consequently she is nervous of any stranger and of going into a cage. A bit of a problem when she needs to go to the vets! The vet gave me the spray. As soon as I spray the cage she noticeable relaxes. I am not saying that she is then perfectly compliant but it is enough to get her into her cage and to the vets.

Katie in fact was so nervous of everything that she gave herself and ulcer! Bearing in mind the success of the spray, the vet suggested the use of the room diffuser together with some other drugs. A side effect of this was that my other cat, Jessie was then exposed to it. She’s a less nervous cat but nevertheless spends most of her life up on the kitchen cupboards, where it is safe, looking down on us. I had put the diffuser in the living room and Jessie has more or less followed and spends a lot more time in the living room with us.

How does it work?
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As mentioned the synthetic pheromone tells the cats that all is safe and that they can relax. The product is used for 4 to 8 weeks, at which time the cat should then be feeling convinced and confident enough to be putting down their own pheromones.

The diffuser is plugged into a socket and will immediately start omitting the scent. It is recommended that the cat is given at least 4 weeks to get used to it. The scent then covers a 50 to 70 square metre radius.

The spray is used where needed, usually with 2 sprays at a time. If you wanted to cover a room you would spray prominent corners of walls and furniture.

When would you use it?
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The following are suggestions:

* Urine marking - this is used by the cat to remind themselves and tell other cats that this is not a safe area. If Feliway is put in these areas the message is reversed, i.e. it is telling them that it is in fact a safe area and that urine marking is not required.

* Scratching/clawing furniture- this is away for cats to mark their territory. They no longer need to do this if they are being told an area is safe.

* Visits to the vets - if the cat is nervous of this, or is difficult to cage, the spray should calm them and make it far less traumatic.

* Multi cat households - the dynamics of territory marking and communication between cats alters each time another cat is introduced. All of this is tempered if they are all getting the message that this is a relaxed safe environment

* Changes in environment e.g. change of home, babies, transportation - the message given out by the pheromone will enable them to relax and settle quicker

The cost?
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Difuser - £17.99
Diffuser refill - £12.99
Spray - £13.15

Aromatherapy? - well not quite, but similar?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a similar product for humans? We could just spray ourselves and straight away be happy and content - that reminds me, I need to buy some more gin.

Thanks for reading