How do I use Feliway®?
How you use Feliway® will depend on the situation your cat is faced with and/or the behavior he or she is exhibiting. Further details about using Feliway® to help cats face common challenging situations or showing obvious symptoms of stress are listed below.
In addition, specific advice about which presentation is the most appropriate and more general advice on using both Feliway® Spray and the Feliway® Diffuser are also included. Should you have any further queries please contact us.
Urine Marking
To reduce or prevent urine marking, it is important to avoid cleaning marked areas with products containing ammonia or bleach. Cats are extremely sensitive to strong smells, so it is recommended to use water and rubbing alcohol or an odorless solution to treat soiled areas.
Plug the Feliway® Diffuser in the room where the marking is taking place. If the cat is marking in several different rooms, you may wish to place another diffuser in one of the other rooms.
Leave the diffuser in place for at least four weeks. Replace the refill as required (every four weeks).
The Feliway® Spray may be used in addition to the diffuser to treat a particular area where marking persists.
In such cases, clean the marked area and allow to dry. Then apply the spray daily, to both the site and nearby prominent objects.
Stop site treatment when the cat marks the area with his or her own facial pheromone (is seen to rub the site with his or her head).
Vertical Scratching
Spray six depressions of Feliway® to the scratched surface once a day.
Apply for at least one month and stop when the cat marks the site with his or her own facial pheromones (is seen to rub the site with his or her head).
Most importantly, provide an alternative scratching post nearby.
Multi-cat Households
To reduce stress in a multi-cat household, plug the Feliway® Diffuser in the room where the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort.
Leave the diffuser plugged in continuously for at least four weeks. Replace the refill as required.
Make sure that each cat has its own place to sleep, eat, area to use the litter box in peace, and offer a safe hiding place.
Following a disruption to the cats' environment (redecoration, visitors, new pets, new baby)
Plug the diffuser in the room in which the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort.
Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks or until the problem subsides. Replace refill as required.
To help a cat settle into a new environment (after moving into a new house, new kitten socialization following adoption, etc)
Plug a Diffuser into the room in which the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort.
Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks. Replace refill as required.
For transporting or during a stay at a boarding facility
Apply Feliway® Spray directly into carrier or kennel 15 minutes before introducing the cat (one spray in each of the four corners, two sprays on the floor and two sprays on the ceiling).
Reapply before each journey or daily during the cats’ stay in the boarding facility.
If using Feliway® Spray in the boarding facility, always allow 15 minutes before returning cat into the area.
During fireworks
Remember, during fireworks it is important to keep your cat(s) inside and block the cat-door. However, this may cause your cat(s) further stress, especially in multi-cat households.
Plug the Feliway® Diffuser in the room where the cat(s) rest(s) or retreat(s).
Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks or as long as the situation persists. Replace the refill as required.
General advice to consider when using Feliway® Spray
When using the Feliway® Spray you must keep in mind the problem you are trying to reduce or prevent.
If your cat is urine spraying:
- First consult a veterinarian to confirm that your cat's problem is not of clinical origin.
- After removing the cat from the room, clean the areas marked with urine using either a mixture of water and surgical spirits or a warm dilute solution of non-biological washing powder.
- Never use strong smelling disinfectants, bleach, biological washing powder, detergents or deodorizers to clean the affected areas. They may interfere with the action of Feliway® and the strong smell may upset your cat further.
- Shake the bottle and apply the spray daily for at least 30 days. Do not stop when you notice improvement.
- Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway® to evaporate off.
- If you need to apply Feliway® to electrical equipment, switch off the appliance, allow it to cool down and then ensure it is completely dry before switching it on again.
- To prevent new furniture, freshly painted walls or other objects from becoming the target of urine spraying activity, spray daily for the first 2 weeks or until the cat is seen to rub his/her head against the object.
- Remember, Feliway® does not cover or mask bad smells.
If your cat is scratch marking:
- Remove the cat from the room
- Shake the bottle and apply the spray to the marked area daily for at least 30 days. Do not stop when you notice improvement.
- Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway® to evaporate off.
- To prevent new furniture, freshly painted walls or other objects from becoming the target of scratch marking activity, spray daily for the first 2 weeks or until the cat is seen to rub his/her head against the object.
Never punish your cat for urine or scratch marking as this will only increase their level of distress and will not reduce the problem, but may make it worse.
If your cat lives in a mulit-cat household:
- Use as above but extend period of use to at least 45 days and increase the frequency of application to twice daily.
- Consider using a Feliway® Diffuser to reduce the overall stress level for all cats.
To give more general reassurance:
- Apply Feliway® Spray to the doorways, cat-door, windows sills and to other prominent objects within your home.
- Shake the bottle and spray at approximately six inches from the floor
- Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway® to evaporate off.
Feliway® should not stain furnishings, but it is recommended to test on a sample before use.
General advice to consider when using the Feliway® Diffuser
When using the Feliway® Diffuser:
- Remove the vial cap
- Screw the diffuser onto the vial and gently tighten
- Plug the diffuser into an electric socket
- Do not plug in behind a door, curtain or underneath furniture
- Leave the device switched on continuously for at least four weeks
- Replace the refill as required
Always consult your veterinarian if your cat is showing signs of stress. Your cat’s problem may be of a clinical origin and may require further diagnostic tests and treatment.
The device and the refill are specially designed for the Feliway® Diffuser. The product cannot be guaranteed if a different device is used with the refill. Similarly, the electric device should not be used with another substance.
How to choose between Feliway® Spray and the Feliway® Diffuser ?
Depending on the problem you want to solve you can use the Feliway® Diffuser or Feliway® Spray or both.
In the table below, you will find the most appropriate form to use according to your situation
| Situation | Feliway® Spray | Feliway® Diffuser | Comments |
| + | ++ | For best results use the Feliway® Diffuser in combination with the Spray |
|
| ++ | (+) | Feliway® Spray should be applied directly to the marked area The Feliway® Diffuser can also help reduce stress |
|
| ++ | ++ | Feliway® Spray can be applied directly into the cage The Feliway® diffuser is more convenient, but the ventilation and kennel system in many hospitals may decrease the efficacy |
|
| (+) | ++ | The Feliway® Diffuser should be used to reduce the general level of stress in all cats Feliway® Spray can be used in combination with the Diffuser by applying to specific areas (doorways, cat doors, etc..) |
|
|
First aid use to manage stress related problems
| + | ++ | The Feliway® Diffuser is the most convenient formulation |
| Changes to the cat's environment:
| + | ++ | The Feliway® Diffuser is the most convenient formulation |
|
| + | N/A |
|
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