What is Feliway?
Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product designed to help with cat behavior problems. It mimics natural feline facial pheromones, which cats use to mark their territory and convey messages of comfort and security to other cats. As described on the Feliway website, Feliway products contain “a precise copy of the feline facial pheromone that cats release when they rub their face on surfaces.”
Feliway is available as diffusers that plug into electrical outlets and steadily release pheromones, as well as sprays that can be applied directly to problem areas. It’s designed to provide constant reassurance to cats and help them feel more relaxed and secure in their environment.
Common cat peeing problems
Some of the most common cat peeing problems include inappropriate urination, spraying, and territorial marking. Inappropriate urination is when a cat urinates outside of their litter box in areas like carpets, floors, furniture, or clothing. This can be caused by medical issues like urinary tract infections, stress, changes in environment, or dislike of litter box location or cleanliness (source).
Spraying is when a cat backs up to a vertical surface like a wall and releases a stream of urine. This is typically a territorial behavior, especially in intact males. Cats may spray when stressed by environmental changes, interactions with other cats, or in multi-cat households (source).
Territorial marking involves a cat scratching or rubbing against surfaces around the home. Like spraying, this deposits the cat’s scent and can be triggered by stress, changes, or other cats. Territorial disputes between cats often lead to house soiling (source).
Why cats pee outside the litter box
There are several common reasons why cats may start peeing outside of their litter box:
Medical conditions – Various medical issues can cause a cat to pee outside the box, such as bladder infections, bladder stones, kidney disease, diabetes, and neurological conditions. The pain, inflammation, or inability to control their bladder leads them to go outside the box. [1]
Stress and anxiety – Stress from changes in their environment, schedules, or interactions can cause a cat to mark territory outside the box. Introducing new pets, people, or furniture can trigger this. [2]
Territory marking – Urine marking is a way for cats to identify their territory. Issues with other cats they see outdoors or inter-cat conflict inside the home can lead to marking. [2]
How Feliway Works
Feliway contains synthetic pheromones that mimic the feline facial pheromone produced by cats to mark their territory. This pheromone has natural calming and reassuring effects for cats. When cats rub their faces on objects, they leave behind pheromone secretions that make them feel safe and calm in that environment.
The artificial pheromones in Feliway products work the same way. They help create a familiar, comforting setting for cats. Feliway comes in various forms like sprays, diffusers, wipes, and collars. When used regularly in the cat’s surroundings, the pheromones can help relieve stress and anxiety. Reducing a cat’s stress levels may curb inappropriate peeing behavior.
According to SoftPaws, the Feliway pheromones provide a sense of familiarity and security to places where the cat spends time. This can create an environment that is more reassuring for an anxious or stressed cat.
Evidence that Feliway Reduces Peeing
There have been a few clinical trials conducted on Feliway to analyze its effectiveness at reducing cat peeing problems. One meta-analysis looked at 5 studies on Feliway for urine spraying and found mixed results – some studies showed a significant reduction in spraying while others showed no difference from placebo (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3078130/).
A more recent placebo-controlled study in 2015 evaluated owner-reported stress levels in cats using Feliway diffusers. They found a significant reduction in stress behaviors like peeing outside the litter box in the Feliway group (https://whatyourcatwants.com/feliway).
In 2023, a new double-blinded trial investigated Feliway for reducing undesirable scratching and urine spraying. They found the Feliway group had a significant decrease in inappropriate peeing compared to placebo (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10584138/).
Overall, the clinical evidence suggests Feliway can help reduce peeing problems in some cats, but may not be effective for all cats. Consulting with your vet is recommended to see if Feliway is an appropriate option for your cat’s specific peeing issues.
Proper use of Feliway for peeing
To use Feliway properly to reduce cat peeing issues, it’s important to place the Feliway diffusers in the right locations and use them consistently for an adequate duration.
The Feliway website recommends placing the diffusers near where the cat spends the most time and where they have peed outside the litter box before. ideal spots are the cat’s preferred sleeping or hanging out areas, at the entrance to a room, or near the litter box. Don’t place it right next to food or water bowls. For multi-cat households, use one diffuser per floor.
For the Feliway pheromones to be effective, they must be continually present in the environment. The Feliway website states that the diffusers last about 4-5 weeks when used continuously, so it’s important to replace them regularly according to the package directions. Most vets recommend using Feliway for at least 1-2 months consistently to see improvement in peeing behavior. It often takes time for the cat’s stress levels to decrease and for new litter box habits to form.
Using Feliway properly requires patience and consistency. But many cat owners find it an effective part of managing inappropriate peeing when combined with other training techniques and vet advice.
Feliway success rates
Studies on the efficacy of Feliway in specifically reducing cat peeing show it has about an 80-85% success rate. One study in the Journal of Medical Microbiology and Immunology found that 85% of cats using the Feliway diffuser saw a reduction in peeing outside the litter box after 30 days (source). Another study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science saw a 78% success rate for decreasing inappropriate urination with the Feliway diffuser over 4 weeks (source). So while Feliway does not work for every cat, it has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce peeing issues in about 80-85% of cats when used appropriately.
Other tips to stop cat peeing
In addition to using Feliway, there are some other tips that can help stop a cat from peeing outside the litter box:
Keep litter boxes extremely clean – Scoop solids out of the litter box daily and change the litter completely at least once a week. Cats prefer a pristine litter box and may avoid it if it’s dirty. Use unscented litter as scented litter may put off some cats.
Provide multiple litter box options – Have at least one litter box per cat in the household, plus an extra one. Place them in quiet, low-traffic areas. Give your cat choices for open and covered boxes. Some cats prefer more privacy.
Make your home cat-friendly – Provide climbing spaces, scratching posts, toys, and window perches so your cat feels comfortable and secure. Reduce stress by keeping their routine consistent and minimizing loud noises or visitors. Try calming plug-ins like Feliway.
If you have multiple cats, provide separate territories and resources. Cats are territorial and issues may arise if they must share close quarters.
Clean previously soiled areas with an enzymatic cleaner to remove odors. Place furniture or litter boxes over old pee spots.
When to see a vet
If your cat’s inappropriate urination continues despite trying solutions like Feliway, litter changes, keeping the box clean, reducing stress, etc., it’s important to take your cat to the vet.
Signs that indicate a medical issue could be the underlying cause include straining to urinate, crying out while trying to pee, frequent trips to the litter box, or only passing small amounts of urine at a time. Male cats that have stopped urinating altogether are especially at risk for a life-threatening urinary blockage.
See your vet promptly if your cat stops peeing entirely or shows signs of discomfort peeing. A urinalysis and physical exam can check for infection, bladder stones, tumors, kidney disease, and other medical problems. Treating the underlying condition may resolve the inappropriate peeing.
If your vet finds no medical cause, they can prescribe medication to relax your cat or recommend next steps. Never delay in seeking veterinary advice if your cat has persistent urination issues.
Summary
In summary, Feliway can be an effective tool to help reduce cat peeing outside the litter box. The synthetic pheromones in Feliway mimic cat facial pheromones and create a sense of familiarity and comfort for cats. Studies show Feliway helps reduce urine marking and inappropriate elimination in up to 90% of cases when used properly.
To use Feliway for cat peeing issues, therecommendation is to use both the Feliway Classic spray at pee sites and the Feliway Optimum diffuser plugged into the room. This provides the most complete coverage. Apply the spray 2-3 times daily for a month. See improvements in most cats within 1-2 weeks. For best success, also address underlying causes like stress, inadequate litter boxes, and medical issues.
While not a cure-all, Feliway is a safe, drug-free way to help curb cat peeing outside the litter box along with other behavioral approaches. With consistent use, it can help provide a calming environment and reduce unwanted urine marking.