Feliway

Feliway is available in several formats, designed to address different behavioural situations and the needs of cats: diffuser, spray or sticks.

For example, the Feliway Diffuser Classic with refill is one of the most widely used forms, intended for use inside the home. The Feliway diffuser plugs into a power socket and continuously releases the feline facial pheromone analogue into the air.

Feliway Classic is primarily recommended for managing stress and anxiety-related behaviours in cats. Using a Feliway diffuser is recommended in situations such as:

• moving to a new home;
• introducing new family members or other pets;
• transporting the cat or visits to the vet’s surgery;
• loud noises or changes to the environment;
• urine marking of surfaces in the home;
• excessive scratching of furniture;
• tension between cats living in the same home.

When using the Feliway Classic diffuser, the device should be plugged into a power socket located in the area where the cat spends most of its time or where the problematic behaviours occur. 

For maximum effectiveness, it is recommended to start using the product approximately one week before a stressful event and to continue using it for at least four weeks after the event.

Feliway Classic diffuser has no major contraindications, as it does not contain any active pharmacological substances that act systemically on the body. However, the product is intended exclusively for veterinary use and must not be used for purposes other than those recommended.

Furthermore, it is not recommended to apply the spray directly to the animal, as the product is intended solely for use on surfaces.

To observe significant behavioural changes, the use of pheromones must be maintained for at least two weeks, as behavioural adaptation to new environmental signals requires a certain amount of time.

If the results are unsatisfactory, the concurrent use of the spray for targeted interventions may be recommended.

Feliway anti-stress pheromones for cats are considered a product with a very good safety profile. According to available data, the product does not cause significant side effects when used as recommended.

The synthetic pheromones used have a scent that is perceived as pleasant by cats and is imperceptible to humans, allowing them to be used in the home without causing discomfort to owners.

To date, no significant interactions between Feliway and other veterinary medicines or supplements have been reported. As the product acts via environmental chemical signals and is not systemically absorbed, the risk of pharmacological interactions is minimal.

Feliway can therefore be used alongside veterinary treatments for various conditions, including antibiotics, anti-inflammatories or behavioural therapies.

The risk of overdose is considered very low, as the synthetic pheromones are released in very low concentrations and are not absorbed systemically. 

However, it is recommended to follow the instructions for use to ensure the product’s optimal effectiveness.

Feliway should be stored in a cool, dry place at temperatures below 25°C, away from direct sunlight. The product should be kept in its original packaging and kept out of the reach and sight of children.

Furthermore, the product is intended exclusively for veterinary use and must not be used for purposes other than those indicated.

• PubMed, The efficacy of the Feliway® Classic diffuser in reducing unwanted scratching in cats: a randomised, triple-blind, placebo-controlled study
• ScholarWorks, The effects of Feliway on stress in cats during veterinary examination
• Sage Journals, Improving feline veterinary consultations: the usefulness of Feliway spray in reducing stress in cats
• ScienceDirect, A pilot study using synthetic feline facial pheromones for the treatment of feline idiopathic cystitis