What is Feliway?
Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone. Pheromones are chemicals cats produce to communicate with each other. According to the Feliway website, pheromones can provide cats with information about their environment and help them interact with other cats. Feliway is available as plug-in diffusers, sprays, and wipes that are designed to help reduce stress and anxiety in cats.
The Feliway diffuser continually releases a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromone into the air. This can help provide ongoing comfort and assurance to cats in their home environment. Feliway sprays and wipes allow you to apply the pheromone directly to objects or areas as needed, such as a carrier or before visits to the vet. Using Feliway products is intended to have a calming and reassuring effect on cats by mimicking natural cat pheromones.
According to the Feliway website, the pheromones in their products are designed to help in situations where a cat is stressed or anxious, such as: [1]
- New visitors or changes to their environment
- Traveling
- New pets
- Conflicts with other cats
By providing comforting pheromone cues, Feliway aims to help reduce stress for cats in a variety of situations.
[1] https://us.feliway.com/
Why cat owners use Feliway
Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product designed to help reduce stress and anxiety in cats. It mimics natural feline facial pheromones that cats leave when they rub their face on objects. The pheromones have a reassuring and calming effect. Cat owners typically use Feliway to help address some common cat behavior issues:
Urinary marking/inappropriate elimination: Stress can cause some cats to start urine marking or inappropriate urination. Feliway can help reduce this behavior by easing anxiety and tension.
Aggression: Intercat aggression is common in multicat households. Feliway helps minimize hostile behavior by promoting calmness and contentment.
Overgrooming: Overgrooming and excessive licking can arise from stress or anxiety. Feliway aims to relax obsessive grooming habits.
Travel stress: New environments are extremely unsettling for cats. Using Feliway during travel or relocation helps cats adjust better.
Can Feliway increase urination?
Some pet owners have claimed that using Feliway actually causes their cats to urinate more frequently. However, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that Feliway directly leads to increased urination in cats.
Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product designed to help reduce stress and anxiety in cats. It does not contain any drugs or stimulants that would directly cause a cat to pee more often. Increased urination is more likely due to the underlying stress or anxiety Feliway is meant to help alleviate.
While Feliway aims to reduce inappropriate urination by calming cats, it does not always work for every cat in every situation. Some studies show over 80% success rates, but results can vary depending on the individual cat and household.
If a cat begins urinating more frequently after using Feliway, it likely indicates the cat requires additional solutions beyond synthetic pheromones to effectively manage its stress and anxiety. The underlying cause still needs to be addressed.
In other words, Feliway itself does not directly make cats pee more. But if it appears ineffective for a specific cat, inappropriate urination may persist or even increase until the root cause is resolved.
When urination may increase
A cat’s urination habits can fluctuate in response to changes and stressors. According to PetMD (https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/why-is-my-cat-peeing-a-lot), periods of transition can lead to increased urination as cats try to mark their territory in a new environment. This commonly occurs when first adopting a cat or introducing them to a new home.
Environmental stressors like construction sounds, visitors, or a new family member or pet can also provoke anxiety that leads to more frequent urination (https://www.dutch.com/blogs/cats/cat-frequent-urination). Cats may urinate outside the litter box to mark territory they feel is being encroached upon.
Excessive meowing, hiding, aggression, lack of appetite, and other behavioral changes may accompany the increased urination. Identifying and mitigating sources of stress through maintaining routines, providing hiding spots, using calming aids, and giving cats space during changes can help minimize symptomatic urination.
Other causes of increased urination
There are several potential medical conditions that can cause increased urination in cats:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs) – Bacterial infections in the urinary tract can cause inflammation, discomfort, and frequent urination as the cat tries to flush out bacteria (source).
- Diabetes – With diabetes, excess glucose spills into the urine, increasing urine volume. The cat drinks more to compensate, resulting in more frequent urination (source).
- Kidney disease – Damaged kidneys cannot concentrate urine properly, leading to large volumes of dilute urine and frequent urination (source).
Litter box issues can also prompt increased urination, such as:
- Inappropriate litter types – Cats may reject litter that is scented, too coarse, or clumping. This can lead them to urinate outside the box.
- Unsanitary boxes – Cats avoid dirty litter boxes and may opt to pee elsewhere.
- Inadequate access – Multi-cat homes need enough litter boxes spaced throughout to accommodate all cats.
Using Feliway effectively
For Feliway to be most effective, it’s important to use the proper dosage and coverage for the space you need to treat. Feliway diffusers are designed to cover up to 700 square feet, while the spray can be applied to specific objects or areas. When first using Feliway, allow 2-3 weeks for your cat to adjust and respond to the pheromones before judging its effectiveness. Feliway works best when combined with behavior modification techniques such as positive reinforcement, routine, and environmental enrichment.
When using the Feliway diffuser, be sure to plug it into an outlet with good airflow so the pheromones can disperse through the room. Place the diffuser in an area the cat frequents. Refill diffusers every 4 weeks for continued coverage. For the spray, apply 8-10 pumps near objects the cat rubs on or scratches. Reapply the spray every 2-3 hours initially, then twice daily for maintenance.
Feliway takes time to influence behavior, so have patience when first using the product. Work on reducing stressors in your cat’s environment and stick to a consistent routine. Provide ample play time, scratching posts, and solo hideaways. Combining Feliway with play, routine, and removing stressors gives the pheromones their best chance to have an effect.
Considerations for Multi-Cat Households
When using Feliway in a home with multiple cats, it’s important to ensure there are sufficient sites and resources for each cat. As territorial animals, cats need to feel they have their own space. The Feliway website recommends using at least one diffuser in each key territory or area frequented by cats in the home to help spread the calming pheromones efficiently.
Diffusers should be placed around the home in areas like cat trees, feeding stations, sleeping areas, and litter boxes. It’s ideal to have one diffuser per floor in multi-level homes. The pheromones diffuse in the air and help create an environment of harmony.
When introducing a new cat to the home, gradually introduce the cats using separate spaces at first. Allow the resident cats time to get used to the new cat’s scent before they meet face-to-face. Feliway can help facilitate a smooth introduction by reducing tension.
When to seek veterinary advice
While an occasional increase in urination frequency may be normal, you should contact your veterinarian if your cat has a marked increase in urination. According to PetMD, urinating small amounts very frequently, straining to urinate with little production, and urinating outside the litter box are signs your cat may have a medical issue requiring treatment.
Before assuming the cause is medical, rule out behavioral and environmental factors first. Make sure the litter box is clean and easy to access. Try adding additional boxes or moving them to quieter areas. Reduce stressors in the home. If nothing helps, have your vet examine your cat to check for conditions like urinary tract infections, bladder stones, diabetes, or kidney disease.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. Your vet may prescribe medications, dietary changes, or suggest cat behavior techniques. Monitoring your cat at home can help determine if treatment is working. Contact your vet promptly if you see no improvement or if symptoms worsen.
Other ways to reduce stress
In addition to Feliway, there are other methods cat owners can try to help reduce stress for their cats:
Pheromone collars and sprays containing synthetic pheromones mimicking cats’ natural facial pheromones can help induce calmness and relaxation. Products like Feliway and Comfort Zone use synthetic pheromone technology and are available as sprays, diffusers, and collars. Using pheromone products can help reduce unwanted behaviors caused by stress.
Maintaining a routine and scheduled feedings can provide cats with a sense of predictability and help avoid stress caused by unpredictable or inconsistent schedules. Feeding cats at the same times each day and sticking to regular routines for playtime, treats, and interactions can be calming.
Providing vertical space via cat trees, shelves, and perches allows cats to climb and survey their territory from above. Having access to high vantage points can help satisfy cats’ instinctual needs and territory expectations. Vertical space and multi-level areas also give cats an escape if they feel stressed.
For some cats, catnip can have a relaxing, stress-reducing effect. The active chemical compound nepetalactone in catnip triggers a response that can make cats feel euphoric and calm. Offering catnip-filled toys or fresh catnip can help relax and deactivate stressed cats.
The bottom line
In summary, Feliway itself does not directly cause cats to urinate more frequently. Feliway is a synthetic pheromone designed to help reduce stress and anxiety in cats. In some cases, Feliway can reveal underlying medical issues or stressors that may be causing a cat to urinate outside of the litter box.
If a cat begins urinating more frequently after using Feliway, it’s important not to assume the Feliway is causing it. The increased urination may be due to other factors like urinary tract infections, pain while urinating, litter box aversion, territory marking, or new sources of stress. The Feliway simply brought the underlying issue to light.
The key is addressing the root cause of the urination problems by working with your veterinarian and assessing your cat’s environment. Feliway can be an helpful tool in reducing anxiety alongside other interventions, but it does not directly make cats urinate more. Focus on getting to the source of the problem rather than blaming the Feliway.