Cats are by nature not suited to our modern lifestyles and there are many situations and events which can be potentially stressful. They are naturally territorial animals and will feel relaxed and bonded with their owner and other pets if they feel their environment is secure. To achieve this, cats employ a range of visual and olfactory (scent) signs that are normal behaviour for cats, essential to feline well-being, and important in helping them feel more secure. These Signs are called pheromone markers.
Pheromones are released from different parts of a cat – such as the face, between the pads on the paws, and the rump area, in addition to the more commonly known and bothersome urine marking. When a cat rubs her face on your legs, she's marking you as a component of their comfort zone! Feliway exploits this natural phenomenon to help make cats feel more at ease during periods of stress. First let's cover the main reasons for Anxiety in cats
Reasons for Anxiety in Cats
Understanding the reasons behind your cat's anxiety is essential to helping them feel safe and secure. From changes in their environment to underlying health issues, various factors can trigger stress in cats. Here are four reasons for anxiety in cats:
Changes or New Environment
It's particularly stressful for cats to move home. Moving the old furniture, redecoration, or buying new furniture all interfere with or move the marks left by the cat. Changes in the people living in the household can also be a potential source of stress for your cat, as can visiting friends, a new baby, or a pet.
Cohabitation with other cats
This can be very stressful for a cat, thus increasing the possibility of having medical and behavioural problems. If some cats live in one household, they have to share their territory with other cats which is unnatural behaviour.
Sharing their territory means losing control of resources, a fundamental need for cats. If the food bowls are in the same location one may be uncomfortable approaching the feeding area which can affect the food intake and lead to under or over-eating. During the elimination process, cats need privacy.
Most will not feel comfortable using a litter tray in a room other cats can enter at any time. This could cause the cat to become stressed and avoid using the tray as often as needed. Over time this could lead to several potential medical issues.
Hospitalisation:
This can be very traumatic for a cat as they have to stay in a cage where they hide, constantly being passed around to strangers and surrounded by animals they don't know. They will also feel more distressed if the cat feels unwell and in pain.
This can continue when the cat returns home as his reassuring marks are likely to have disappeared from the household and be substituted by the marks of other cats (in a multi-cat household). Now let's discuss the solution for anxiety in cats - Feliway.
What is Feliway?
Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. It is a natural solution to fear-related problems in cats caused by changes in their environment.
Feliway helps prevent or halt behavioural issues such as urine marking, scratching, or problems associated with transportation by creating a feeling of security in an unfamiliar environment (a new house, cattery) or challenging situations (hospitalisation cage, cat basket, car).
Feliway replicates the familiarisation properties that are naturally left in the environment by the cat when she deposits her facial pheromone. With Feliway, undesirable fear-related behaviours and marking problems can be naturally resolved.
How Feliway Works
Feliway mimics the cat's natural facial pheromones. This causes a feeling of familiarity and security within the cat's local environment. Because of this, Feliway can help to assist in comforting and reassuring cats while they cope with a problematic situation to prevent or reduce stress caused to a cat during a change in their environment.
How to Use Feliway for Cats?
Using Feliway for Cats is simple—just plug in the diffuser in the room where your cat spends the most time. For targeted areas like scratching spots, spray Feliway directly on surfaces to promote a calming effect. Here are few more ways to use feliway:
Urine marking
Use water, surgical alcohol, or an odourless solution to clean the soiled area cats are sensitive to strong smells, such as bleach. Place the Feliway Diffuser in the room where the marking has occurred. The diffuser should be kept on continuously for at least 4 weeks. Stop site treatment when a cat is observed to rub at the site with its head in an apparent attempt to deposit facial pheromone on the area.
Vertical marking
Spray Feliway Spray to the Scratch post once a day, and apply for at least a month, to stop when the cat marks the site with his facial pheromones. It is also important to provide an alternative scratching post nearby to discourage wall and furniture scratching.
Households with multiple cats
Use the Feliway diffuser in the room where the cats display signs of stress or discomfort. Leave the diffuser plugged in continuously for at least four weeks. Replace the refill as required. Ensure that each cat has a safe place to sleep, eat, and go to the toilet without interference and a safe hiding place. The correct formula for resources (litter trays, food, water bowls.) for cats in a multi-cat household is one per cat, plus one extra.
Environmental disruption/Moving house
Place the diffuser in the room where the cat is exhibiting signs of distress or discomfort and leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks or until distress/ discomfort subsides. Replace refill as needed.
In a cattery or transportation
Spray Feliway directly into the transport box or pen (cattery) 15 minutes before bringing the cat in. Reapply before each journey or daily during the cats' stay in the cattery.
Fireworks
Keep your cat indoors, close windows and block cat flaps. Fit the Feliway diffuser in the room where your cat rests, and leave it constantly for 4 weeks.
In conclusion, Feliway for Cats offers an effective, easy-to-use solution for managing anxiety and scratching behaviour in cats. By mimicking natural pheromones, it helps create a calming environment, promoting a sense of security for your feline friend. Whether you're dealing with stress-related behaviours or unwanted scratching, Feliway provides a gentle, non-invasive way to improve your cat's well-being and restore harmony in your home.
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