Calm Your Cats and Dogs with Feliway – The Proven Pheromone Spray

By / January 5, 2024

What is Feliway?

Feliway is a synthetic pheromone product designed to help relieve stress and anxiety in cats and dogs. It mimics natural feline pheromones and sends “happy messages” to cats and dogs to help them feel more calm and comfortable. Feliway comes in different forms including diffusers, sprays, and wipes.

It works by releasing feline facial pheromones into the air which cats use to mark their territory as safe and secure. These pheromones transmit reassuring signals to a cat’s sensory organs and have a calming effect. When a cat detects these familiar pheromones, it feels less stressed in its environment.

The key pheromones in Feliway products include Feline Facial Pheromone, Feline “Happy” Pheromone, and Feline Appeasing Pheromone. These pheromones are released in similar ratios and concentrations as natural feline facial secretions and replicate a cat’s natural comforting facial pheromones.

By mimicking these pheromones and scent messages, Feliway can help create a state of comfort and relaxation for cats and dogs experiencing anxiety or stress. It has been shown to help in a variety of situations like new environments, travel, vet visits, guests, and more.

Benefits of Feliway for Cats

Feliway mimics the feline facial pheromone and helps provide comfort and relief to cats in stressful situations. Studies show Feliway can help reduce signs of stress and anxiety in cats such as urine spraying, scratching furniture, hiding, and agitation [1].

Feliway helps calm cats in stressful situations like traveling, vet visits, boarding, or adjusting to changes in their environment. The pheromones have a comforting effect and reduce anxious behaviors like meowing, whining, and panting during travel [2].

By reducing tension between cats, Feliway can curb aggressive behaviors like fighting and hostility over resources. Cats are more likely to co-exist peacefully when exposed to Feliway’s calming effects.

Using Feliway for Cats

Feliway comes in several different product forms to make application easy in various situations. The main products are the classic spray, diffuser, and wipes.

The Feliway classic spray can be applied directly to areas where cats are exhibiting undesirable behaviors like urine marking or scratching. Clean the area first, then give a light spray twice a day for a month. For best results, continue spraying once a day after that. Focus on applying the spray to vertical surfaces like walls, doorways, sides of cat towers, or scratching posts.

The Feliway classic diffuser covers a larger area by continuously releasing calming pheromones. Plug in the diffuser in the room where your cat spends the most time, ideally with the vents facing up. One diffuser will cover up to 700 square feet. Replace the cartridge every 4-6 weeks for ongoing effects.

Feliway also offers calming wipes that can be used on carriers, furniture, or other objects. Wipe thoroughly onto the desired surface 15-30 minutes before bringing your cat into contact. This can help reduce anxiety associated with carriers, car rides, or new environments.

Benefits of Feliway for Dogs

Feliway can provide several benefits for dogs that are feeling stressed or anxious. Some of the main benefits of using Feliway for dogs include:

Helps With Separation Anxiety: One of the most common issues Feliway can help with is separation anxiety in dogs. Feliway helps dogs feel more relaxed and comfortable when left alone at home, reducing symptoms of separation anxiety like barking, destruction, and toileting in the house (Feliway).

Aids in Travel: Feliway can also help dogs who get anxious during travel, such as in the car or at boarding kennels. By reducing stress, Feliway can make travel a more positive experience for dogs.

Assists With Puppy Training: Raising a new puppy comes with many changes and stressors. Feliway can help puppies adapt to their new environment and routine, and aid in training.

Overall, by reducing stress and creating a sense of comfort, Feliway can be a useful tool for helping dogs with common issues like separation anxiety, travel, and puppyhood adjustments.

Using Feliway for Dogs

While Feliway products are designed primarily for cats, they can also be useful for some dogs. Here’s how Feliway can be used for dogs:

Feliway comes in both a spray bottle and diffuser form. The spray can be applied directly to objects and areas in the home that you want your dog to feel calm and relaxed around. For example, you can spray Feliway on their bed, in their crate, by the front door, or anywhere else they spend a lot of time. Apply 2-4 pumps of the Feliway spray once or twice a day for it to be effective.

The Feliway diffuser plugin releases calming pheromones continuously into the air. This can be beneficial for dogs that experience anxiety in general. Plug in the Feliway diffuser in a central location in your home where the scent will circulate. One diffuser can effectively cover an area up to 700 square feet. Replace the diffuser refill every 4-6 weeks for continued efficacy.

While some dog owners do report noticing calmer behavior in their dogs with Feliway, it does not produce effects as reliably in dogs as it does in cats. Feliway is formulated specifically for felines. For dogs, an equivalent pheromone product called Adaptil may be more effective for anxious canines. But Feliway can be worth trying, especially in multi-pet households with cats.

Always read and follow the Feliway product label directions for proper use. Only apply Feliway as recommended for dogs. Consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Does Feliway Work?

There is some mixed evidence on the effectiveness of Feliway. Many cat owners report seeing positive changes in their cats’ behavior after using Feliway diffusers or sprays in their home. However, some studies show less conclusive results.

According to a post on Reddit, Feliway does seem to work well for many cat owners: “Yes, Feliway absolutely does work. I’ve used it several times for various reasons, including introductions and I will always keep some on hand.”

On the other hand, some studies find Feliway is not very effective on its own. As explained by The Spruce Pets: “Although Feliway on its own may not show a discernible change in cat behavior, pairing it with other anti-anxiety therapies may help you to see results.”

Overall, the evidence suggests that Feliway can be helpful for some cats, especially when combined with other calming techniques. However, it does not work for every cat in every situation. Trying Feliway for a few weeks is generally safe and may provide anxiety relief for stressed cats.

Feliway Side Effects

While Feliway is generally considered safe for cats and dogs when used as directed, there have been some reports of possible side effects in sensitive animals. These potential side effects seem to occur rarely, but owners should be aware of the possibility.

Some negative reviews of Feliway mention that it caused lethargy, excessive drooling, and respiratory issues in cats (source). Other reported side effects in cats include diarrhea, vomiting, and red irritated eyes (source). These side effects went away when the Feliway diffuser was removed.

In dogs, potential side effects seem less common, but may include diarrhea or lethargy in sensitive individuals. As with any product, it’s a good idea to monitor your pet closely when first using Feliway to ensure they tolerate it well.

For humans, Feliway is not known to cause any side effects. The pheromones replicate natural feline facial pheromones and should not have any effect on people.

Overall, serious side effects appear very rare. But owners should discontinue use if any abnormal symptoms develop. As Feliway alters hormone levels, it’s best to consult your vet if you have any concerns about using it with your pet.

Feliway Alternatives

There are some alternatives to Feliway that pet owners can consider. These include other pheromone products, medications, and training techniques.

Some other pheromone products that work similarly to Feliway include Comfort Zone and Adaptil. These products come in diffusers, sprays, and collars that release pheromones to help calm cats and dogs.

For anxious cats, medications like amitriptyline or buspirone prescribed by a vet may help. Natural supplements like Zylkene also work for some cats.

Training methods like playing, petting, and offering environmental enrichment can help redirect anxious behaviors in pets. Working with a professional trainer or behaviorist may also teach pets healthier coping strategies.

While not identical to Feliway, alternative pheromones, medications, and training can provide similar benefits in reducing stress and unwanted behaviors in cats and dogs.

Feliway Cost

Feliway products can range in price depending on the specific product and quantity purchased. Here are some example prices:

The diffusers last about 1 month before needing a refill. The overall cost can range from $20-45 per month depending on the specific Feliway product. The starter kits provide the plug-in diffuser device, with refills purchased afterward.

Conclusion

In summary, Feliway provides several benefits for both cats and dogs. For cats, Feliway helps reduce stress and anxiety from changes in their environment, travel, vet visits, and introduction of new pets or people. It encourages positive behaviors like face rubbing and scratching on approved surfaces. Feliway for dogs helps with separation anxiety, fear of noises, and destructive behaviors stemming from stress. It promotes calmness and comfort. Feliway uses synthetic pheromones to deliver these benefits, the same pheromones mother cats produce to reassure their kittens. While not a cure-all, Feliway can be an effective part of a training program or adjustment period for many pets. Vets, trainers, and owners report good results, especially when using Feliway consistently and combined with other behavioral techniques.

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