If you have been in recently, you may have noticed a new addition in our exam rooms. That plug-in wall diffuser isn’t there to make the room smell better, at least not to our human clients… We are excited to be using Feliway in our hospital to make your cat’s next visit better than ever. This innovative product is helping cats everywhere.
Feliway
You may be familiar with pheromones, the chemical substances all mammals and insects give off, affecting the behavior and physiology of those around us of the same species. Feliway is a synthetic copy of the pheromone cats excrete from the glands in their face, which allow them to mark their territory. Smelling these facial pheromones helps cats to feel safer and more secure.
When a cat is placed in an area where it can smell Feliway, his or her comfort level is elevated and stress minimized, which can be extremely helpful when visiting the veterinarian.
How You Can Use Feliway With Your Cat
Feliway comes as an electric plug-in diffuser, a spray, or a wipe. At Seven Hills Veterinary Hospital, we use plug-in diffusers to create a sense of security for our feline patients in the exam rooms. However, there are many other ways to utilize Feliway…
In Multi-cat Households – Unlike their canine counterparts, cats do not naturally live in groups. This means that having more than one cat in a household can result in a potentially stressful situation for your cats. Stress in cats can lead to aggression, urinating outside of the litter box, and scratching. Using a plug-in diffuser in the rooms most utilized by your cats can help this.
When Travelling – Cats are not known for being great travelers. Getting into a carrier, riding in the car, going to the boarding kennel, or even moving to a new home can be extremely unsettling. Using Feliway spray or wipes on your cat’s carrier or kennel can be helpful. When bringing your cat to a new home, consider plugging in a diffuser at least 24 hours before your cat’s arrival.
During Stressful Situations – The things that your cat might think stressful may surprise you. Some cats, especially those who are a little more anxious by nature, may have trouble adjusting to changes in the home. These stress triggers can include having visitors, redecorating, remodeling, getting a new pet, or welcoming home a new baby. Utilizing Feliway diffusers can help to minimize problems and help your cat adjust.
Feliway can help prevent problems for cats and make life happier for everyone involved. The plug-in wall diffusers cover up to 700 square feet and typically lasts up to 30 days. It is a safe and effective option to help cats cope with the stresses that come with living with us. All Feliway products do not have any discernible scent to people.
We are excited to add this product to the arsenal of options we have to improve the quality of life for our feline friends. If you are interested in learning more, please let us know. Please don’t hesitate, either, to let us know if the Feliway diffusers in the hospital make a difference for your cat.