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The Feliway Products are marketed as being able to mimic your cat’s own way of marking their surroundings as a safe place to be. The theory is that if they feel safe and secure, they’ll be less likely to take part in negative behaviors like scratching up furniture, and displaying signs of anxiety or stress. But does it work?
What is Feliway?
Feliway is a pheromone used for felines to calm restlessness as well as to help correct troublesome behaviours.
History of Feliway
France, 1996 Ceva Sante Animale launched a brand-new idea to assist in not only feline but also canine behaviour and welfare. The products Ceva released are called FELIWAY and ADAPTIL.
What is a Pheromone?
In layman’s terms, a pheromone is a type of scent. Felines release a wide range of pheromones on a daily basis that deliver different meanings and messages in order to communicate with other cats. These scents are released from glands located on the felines face, chin, lower ears, forehead, cheeks, and around the mouth. Felines also contain glands in their paws, and urine. Females specifically are able to release pheromones from a gland located around the nipples. All of these scent producing areas influence the behaviours of cats as they understand each other’s signals.
How Does Feliway Work?
There are three types of Feliway and two methods of delivery.
FELIWAY CLASSIC: This product is designed to send messages that express happiness, which leaves them feeling good while at home.
Method- Feliway classic has two delivery methods, the spray and the diffuser. The spray requires eight pumps, wait 15minutes and instructions to reapply every 4-5 hours. The diffuser device itself needs to be replaced every 6 months, and each cartridge requires replacement every 30 days. The diffuser needs to be plugged in at all times and takes approximately 3-4 weeks to see the best results.
FELIWAY FRIENDS: This product is designed for a multi-feline home. It releases a message that creates, restores and balances the harmony between cats living in the same household.
Method- Only available in the diffuser form. The diffuser itself requires replacement every 6 months and covers up to 750 feet squared. Improvements can be seen within 7 days, but best results are seen after 3-4 weeks of the device being continuously plugged in.
FELISCRATCH BY FELIWAY: This product is designed to stop cats from scratching anywhere they choose and instead scratch in a designated area of your choice by sending a territorial message.
Method- Only available in pipette packages, which are applied by drawing lines daily for 7 days. After the 7-day period you may begin to apply pipette at the beginning of week 3 and the beginning of week 4 to ensure the best results.
What Effects Will Feliway Have on My Feline?
Feliway is a perfectly safe synthetic version of the natural pheromones that cats produce as such the only affects you should see in your feline are, the reduction of marking their territory, aggression, stress of all kinds including visits to the veterinarian or groomer, and unwanted scratching.
Is Feliway Safe?
Feliway poses no danger to your feline or yourself. This product is a pheromone-based product which is not a drug but rather a natural product. Neither humans nor any of animal will be able to detect the pheromones being released into the air, also there is no evidence that it will affect them in any way.
Where Can I Buy Feliway?
Feliway is a product that has really been made available to animal-loving professionals as well as pet owners. Some of the places you can find one or all the products listed above are, eBay, Amazon, PetSmart, Petvalu, Feliway, Walmart, and many more.
How Much Does the Feliway Products Cost?
Feliway products range from $8.00 to $125.96 depending on what you are aiming for. In order to give you a better idea here are a few listings found online;
The Feliway Classic Diffuser starter kit $43.95 Feliway Classic Diffuser Refill $26.95
Feliway Classic Diffuser refill 3pk $64.99
The Feliway Classic Spray 20 mL $24.95 Feliway Classic Travel Spray $26.12
Feliway Friends Diffuser starter kit $43.95 Feliway Friends Refill $26.95
The Feliway Friends Diffuser refill 3pk $64.99
Feliscratch Behavioral Aid $8.85
What Do Current Consumers Have to Say About Feliway Products?
Customer reviews on amazon give Feliway a 3.9 out of 5 stars. Reviewers indicate that not only did Feliway work quickly but that they saw amazing improvements in their furbabies. It was always said that owners experienced an instant response to their cat no longer spraying any and all furniture, displays of anxiety disappeared and one feline began to socialize, and another began to interact with the other felines in the household.
Overall Complaint
The overall complaint indicated within 250 reviews was that Feliway does not, in fact, last for 30 days and that they needed to change the diffuser cartridge within the first 15 days. Lastly, 6% of consumers indicated that this product did not work for their household feline at all and they would not purchase it again.
It’s fair to say that not every product will work for everyone and as Ceva themselves indicated Feliway has been proven to work on 90% of felines. Perhaps the 6% who reviewed the product at a wapping 1 star out of 5, happen to be among the 10% that Feliway, unfortunately, cannot help. Either way, this product is available for you and your beloved feline to try out for yourself.
Fun Facts
- Feliway Friends is a product that was created for a home that has multiple cats
- The Feliway Classic and Feliway Friends can be used together at the same time
- Feliway is a Drug-free product
- Proven to work on 90% of felines
- Feliway has a disclaimer indicating that not only is it scientifically recommended but it is also in the top two most recommended feline products by veterinarians
A Word Before You Go
In case you still have some questions about Feliway, maybe some of these pointers can assist you.
- Feliway is not at any time to be used directly on your cat
- Feliway Friends may require multiple diffusers for multiple felines.
- The diffusers cover approximately 700 square feet.
- The diffuser takes 24 hours to send its full message around your house
Options
There are lots of different ways that you can keep your cat healthy. One of these is by buying the right toys that they are not going to get bored with easily.
