Feliway is a product specially developed for cats that is used to correct their behavior. Its main feature is that it helps to create a calm environment for the animal, cope with stressful situations and adapt to new conditions. It is simple, and most importantly, effectively used in various situations, helps the pet endure shocks and prevent damage to property.
general description
Feliway is available in two types: Classic and Friends. In both cases, it is a colorless liquid, but contains various pheromones and differs in purpose. Feliway Classic contains the facial pheromone of cats F3. When smelling it, the animal feels in its environment. Thanks to this, she does not show signs of anxiety and stress.
Feliway Friends is based on the synthetic pheromone F4, which is released by mother cats after giving birth. It helps establish bonds between her and the kittens. It acts in a similar way on adult pets. For humans, the liquid has no odor. The composition does not contain dangerous or toxic components that can have a negative effect on people or animals.
Feliway is available in several different versions:
- Set of diffuser and bottle with liquid. Reusable diffuser. Bottle capacity 48 ml.
- Bottle with liquid. The replacement bottle, like the container included, contains 48 ml of product.
- Spray. Pheromone in the form of a spray is packaged in 60 ml cans. (Friends is not available in this form).
Note! Feliway is not a medicinal product. If signs of stress do not go away when using a behavior corrector, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Feliway Security
The use of Feliway does not imply any age restrictions. It is absolutely safe not only for adult cats, but also for kittens. Babies are able to detect pheromones released in the environment and respond to them accordingly.
The drug Feliway is specific for cats and is not accepted by people and dogs. The diffusers are made of non-flammable plastic class V2 and meet all the requirements of Underwriters Laboratories, European Standards and the International Electrotechnical Commission.
Important! It is better not to connect Feliway for cats in rooms where ornamental birds with sensitive respiratory systems are kept. The same applies to rooms with aquariums. Although Feliway's oily active ingredients are not toxic, they may settle on the surface of the water.
How it works
A peculiarity of the life of cats is that they secrete pheromones - special substances that help them feel comfortable in their familiar surroundings. Like people, animals are subject to stress. Cats are especially vulnerable and experience discomfort at the slightest change and also stop producing F3 facial pheromones. The arrival of guests, a trip to the veterinarian, moving, and even rearranging furniture can cause a decrease in the production of pheromones. Stress can appear in a variety of ways, from marking your territory with urine to scratching furniture, textiles and other things. In addition, the pet in such a situation feels uncomfortable, it can hide in secluded corners, show aggression towards its owners (for example, scratching), and eat poorly.
Regardless of what caused the behavioral disturbances, Feliway Classic helps the animal cope with a stressful situation. When a pet senses a pheromone (even a synthetic one), it becomes calm. He stops doing dirty tricks, marking territory and scratching. Thanks to the action of the product, behavior is restored, appetite is normalized, and peace and quiet comes in the house.
The synthetic pheromone gives a “signal” to the pet that there is no reason to worry, so the emotional state returns to normal, and the cat quickly and easily adapts to new conditions. Both animals and people feel comfortable. Using Feliway is an easy way to create a pleasant atmosphere in the house for your cat, even under stressful conditions.
The components of Feliway Friends act like natural pheromones. The cat secretes substances that create a favorable and friendly atmosphere. They help the animals get along with each other. As a result of the action of the synthetic substance, aggression between animals of any age is reduced. There is peace and quiet in the house.
Action provided
The smell of the synthetic pheromone Feliway gives cats a signal that there is no reason to worry, this is cat territory.
The use of Feliway has the following effects on animals:
- stabilizes the emotional state of the animal, calms it down;
- suppresses the instinct of tagging;
- helps to adapt to changes in environment and living conditions;
- restores appetite lost due to stress;
- combats excessive licking.
The animal becomes playful and active. Feliway pheromones are often recommended by animal psychologists to correct uncleanliness.
Indications for use
The classic version is recommended to be used in the following cases:
- when visiting a veterinarian;
- during vaccinations and medical procedures;
- when participating in exhibitions, competitions and competitions;
- in group housing;
- when staying in a hotel for animals;
- when guests arrive or contact with strangers;
- with early separation of kittens from their mother;
- when moving;
- when rearranging furniture;
- when transported in a car or other type of transport;
- when a new member appears in the family (for example, the birth of a child);
- when temporarily living in a country house or other place.
Feliway should also be used in cases where the animal is overly aggressive or afraid and hides under sofas or other secluded places. It can be used effectively when a pet marks its territory with urine, damages things by scratching, or exhibits other symptoms of stress.
Feliway Friends is used when keeping several animals together if they show aggression towards each other. The product can also be used when a new pet appears in the house. Feliway Friends will help prevent clashes and hostility between pets.
Note! The product is harmless, so you can use it even without consulting a doctor. If the animal's condition does not stabilize after a while, do not delay going to the clinic, since aggression, excessive licking and other symptoms of stress can cause a serious illness.
Cost and analogues
Feliway based on pheromones will not be cheap for the animal owner. The average cost of a spray is 2000–2200 rubles, the price of a complete diffuser set is 2000 rubles, and a replacement bottle for it is 1700 rubles. There is no complete analogue of the drug Feliway, however, there are a number of products with a similar purpose, both with and without the addition of pheromones.
Table: analogues of the drug Feliway
Name | Release form | Compound | Action | Contraindications | Manufacturer | Average cost (rubles) |
Sentry GOODbehavior | Collar, length 38.1 cm | The collar is impregnated with a composition of pheromones (6%) and inert ingredients (94%) | The pheromone in the composition is analogous to what cats secrete while feeding kittens. The collar is used to correct unwanted behavior in stressful situations (moving, thunder, fireworks explosions, grooming) | None | Sergeant's Pet Care Products, Inc., USA | 1000 |
Anti-scratch | Fumigator with 30 ml bottle | Pheromone of cat facial glands (2%), filler - up to 30 ml | Used to normalize cat behavior and restore normal well-being in case of conflicts between animals, moving, the arrival of a new family member, after noisy holidays | None | Antitsarapki, Russia | 170 |
Anti-stress spray Beafar | Spray 125 ml |
| Helps avoid symptoms of anxiety and stress, prevents scratching, obsessive meowing, and room marking | Allergic reaction to the components of the composition | Beaphar, Netherlands | 600 |
Natures Miracle Antistress | Spray, 236 ml |
| A remedy for combating stress in cats during moving, at exhibitions, and when their conditions change. | Allergic reaction to the components of the composition | 8 in 1 Pet Products, USA | 600 |
How to use
The method of using Feliway depends on the form of release.
Diffuser + bottle
The principle of using a diffuser is very simple. All you need to do is plug it into an electrical outlet, and then it will work automatically. When the liquid evaporates, pheromones spread throughout the house and allow the animal to feel comfortable.
The instructions indicate how to use Feliway for cats. To do this you need to follow simple steps:
- Unscrew the cap from the bottle.
- Insert the bottle into the diffuser and twist it until you feel slight resistance.
- Plug the device into an electrical outlet.
You should not use sockets located in hard-to-reach places, as well as behind cabinets, curtains, or doors. The diffuser should be constantly on from the moment you notice signs of anxiety in the animal or the cat has suffered stress. One bottle lasts for 4 weeks. Replace it with a new bottle as needed. To do this, unscrew the empty container and screw a new, full bottle in its place. The diffuser is designed to cover an area of 50-70 square meters.
Since Feliway Friends is sold as a diffuser + bottle set, it is used in the same way. You just need to plug it into an outlet in the room where most of the animals are. The liquid from the bottle lasts for 4 weeks. Applies to an area of 50-70 squares. If there is excessive aggression, you can turn on diffusers in different rooms.
Note! If you constantly use Feliway, change the diffuser every six months.
Spray
Behavior corrector in the form of a spray is usually used when urine marking, travel, or a visit to the veterinarian. In order for the animal to stop marking its territory and urinating on the floor or furniture, it is necessary to first localize the crime scenes, that is, clean the surface of urine, and then treat it with a spray, spraying it at a short distance. You can treat scratched areas in the same way. It is advisable to place the animal in another room during treatment, and start it only after 10-15 minutes.
It is also recommended to spray the carrier if you plan to go to the veterinarian, to the country house or other place. You can also use the liquid when moving to a new home. First you need to treat the entrance doors, and then a few more places inside the room, so that the pet does not experience stress due to being in new conditions.
Possible problems with the diffuser
If the diffuser gets slightly warm when plugged in, it is functioning correctly. But sometimes there are failures in his work.
Some of the most likely problems with your diffuser include:
- The appearance of visible marks on walls and furniture. During operation, an oily vapor containing pheromones is released from the diffuser. It rises upward with a stream of warm air and if it is blocked, the oil condenses, leaving noticeable marks. To prevent this from happening, the fumigator must be connected so that there is at least 1.2 m of free space above it.
- To ensure proper operation, the appliance should not be placed near air conditioners, vents, exhaust fans or cold air return fans.
- Switching on near open windows leads to accelerated evaporation, shortening the life of the device. In order for the fumigator to work properly for the required time, it must be placed away from window openings.
- The evaporation of liquid from the diffuser occurs almost imperceptibly. If there is any doubt about the correct operation, you need to make sure that the rod of the device is not broken.
Advantages and disadvantages
Feliway for cats is more convenient to use than collars with pheromones. They can cause discomfort to the pet, and he will try to remove them. When using Feliway, such problems will not arise. You just need to plug in the diffuser or spray the spray. Other benefits include the following:
- does not contain narcotic or toxic substances;
- odorless to humans;
- has no contraindications and can be used for cats of any breed and age;
- does not cause side effects;
- works effectively;
- can be used in various situations (when moving, excessive aggressiveness, stress);
- The bottle lasts for 4 weeks of continuous use.
The disadvantages of using Feliway for cats include the high price.
Price
- a diffuser with a bottle (both Classic and Friends) costs 2100-2500 rubles;
- a bottle to replace both types will cost 1600-1900 rubles;
- spray – 2500 rubles.
In addition, in small towns the product is rarely sold, and Feliway Friends is especially difficult to find. True, the solution to this problem can be purchasing online. Most online veterinary pharmacies deliver not only in Moscow, but also in the regions.
You can now view the current price of the drug and buy it right here from Yandex Market with fast delivery:
Owner reviews
Svetlana, owner of 2 Siamese cats:
“I found out about Felivey by chance. For us he became a salvation. When we went to the exhibition, two cats suffered extreme stress and it was impossible to calm them down. Until my neighbor in the tent handed me a bottle of this product. I treated the area around and within half an hour the animals were sleeping peacefully. At home, I sometimes use the product through a diffuser.”
Oksana, owner of a 4-year-old cat:
“My cat cannot be left alone in the room; he immediately starts scratching the door. I read on the Internet about a special behavior corrector. I decided to buy it and try it. There was no reaction. Money, a lot of money, was thrown away.”
Galina, owner of a 5-year-old Maine Coon:
“Due to life circumstances, we had to move to a rented apartment. This was a real test for the cat. After moving into the apartment, he began scratching the wallpaper and doors. The sedative drops the vet prescribed did not help. A friend recommended Feliway. Already after switching on, it began to act. After a couple of days, the cat’s behavior returned to normal. The product is very expensive and difficult to find in our city; I had to visit almost all veterinary pharmacies.”
Andrey, owner of the red cat:
“We bought Feliway Friends when our cat Bars got into a big fight with two other cats. When using pheromones, I became calmer, but did not stop fighting completely, so I did not buy it again. It’s an expensive and ineffective product, and it’s also hard to find in pharmacies.”