With the demands of juggling job, family, pets, and hobbies in today’s hectic world, it is no surprise that many people experience anxiety or stress. How about our pets, though? Do they experience stress, and if so, might Feliway or other pheromones help? We have been examining what is known about this well-known treatment.
Why might my cat be stressed?
Cats appreciate a consistent environment and routine because they are undoubtedly creatures of habit. This leaves kids vulnerable to various pressures, both inside the household and outside. Some recognized factors causing anxiety in cats include:
- Fireworks or holiday festivities of any kind
- A new pet in the home
- A new cat or dog in the neighborhood
- Decorating or DIYing in the home
- A new baby, or any new people in the house
- Travel
- Veterinary visits
- Cattery stays
Even still, this is not a complete list. Cats vary in their susceptibility to anxiety. To lessen interruptions to your cat’s routines and comforts, it can be helpful to try to anticipate what might frighten them.
What signs of stress do cats show?
Cats have a very subtle way of expressing their discontent, or they can be very outspoken about it. A few extremely obvious indicators of stress include peeing inappropriately, scratching at walls, furniture, or carpets, over-grooming to the point of bald patches, fighting with other household pets, or getting irritable with their owners. Less activity than usual, hiding more, interacting with their owners less, and going off their food a little (or, conversely, eating more!) are more subtle indicators that your cat may be worried.
You are the greatest judge of your own cat; what may be typical for one person may raise concerns for another. It is always advised that you consult a veterinarian if you have any concerns regarding the health or behavior of your cat.
What is Feliway?
A synthetic cat pheromone called Feliway is made to resemble relaxing fragrances that help cats feel less nervous and worried. Pheromones are fragrance chemicals that your cat’s glands all throughout its body emit, sending varied signals to other cats as well as to themselves. All cats are capable of “understanding” these substances.
Pheromones play a crucial role in cat communication, both with other cats and internally. They can serve as warning signs to point out locations where they have experienced stress or terror, as markers of territory, or to record interactions with nearby cats. They play an important role in developing bonds and familiarity with humans, other animals, and domestic surroundings. They can also convey assurance and “happy spots.” Additionally, mother cats create these to aid in the bonding process with their young.
Feliway uses pheromones linked to safety and comfort in an effort to convey comforting messages to your cat. so that they lessen stress-related behaviors and anxiety. Feliway is not a medicine because pheromones are a typical component of cat communication. It has no negative side effects and cannot be taken in excess.
When do I use Feliway?
There are numerous applications for the traditional Feliway. For on-going stressors in your home, like building work, you can spread them continuously throughout the entire house. Using a spray or diffuser can also be beneficial for one-time events like a vet visit or celebratory occasions like fireworks displays. The pheromones that Feliway Friends concentrates on are those that encourage cat communication and can be used as a diffuser in a house where there is cat conflict.
Feliscratch is a product made to stop cats from scratching things they shouldn’t, including furniture, and contains pheromones used in territory marking. and instead point them in the direction of a more favored option for this incredibly natural habit, like a scratching post.
Does Feliway really help?
There aren’t many scientific studies that critically evaluate the effectiveness of pheromone medicines in cats. However, several studies have shown some encouraging findings. In a recent study (Mills & Prior, 2020), the impact of pheromone products in families with both cats and dogs was examined. The study’s usage of Feliway Friends resulted in better canine-feline interactions (fewer negative behaviors and more positive ones) as well as higher relaxation levels in the cat occupants. Therefore, this could be quite helpful if you’re thinking about getting a new pet for your home or if you already have pets and think your cat might be feeling anxious as a result.
Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that Feliway helps reduce feline aggression. A 2018 study found that the use of synthetic pheromones decreased stress behaviors and aggression scores between cats in multi-cat households (DePorter et al., 2019). The owners in this study also received instruction on how to handle aggressive episodes; thus, the decrease in conflict might not be entirely attributable to the Feliway.
Spraying of the urine is a typical sign of stress in cats. After four weeks, administering Feliway did minimize urine spraying, according to an analysis of numerous instances of cats spraying pee for a variety of different causes (Mills et al., 2011). However, combining pharmaceutical and behavioral therapies resulted in the greatest reduction.
What else can I do?
Since behavioral changes are frequently difficult, utilizing Feliway by itself is not likely to be a panacea. Other therapies can be required, depending on the cause of the anxiety and the severity of the symptoms. Offering “safe zones” for your cat, making sure their food and water are in a neutral location, and providing a lot of litter trays in private locations are all examples of environmental modification that may be appropriate. Your veterinarian or a veterinary behaviorist might be able to offer advice on more tailored solutions for your cat’s situation. In severe cases of stress, medication may be required to reduce anxiety while behavioral strategies are implemented.
Although pheromonal treatment, like as Feliway diffusers, has been demonstrated to be helpful in cases of feline anxiety, utilizing a range of techniques to make your cat feel more secure and comfortable has been proved to have the most benefits.
