Collar with pheromones for cats: which is better, reviews

Natalya Reznik, Candidate of Biological Sciences

“Chemistry and Life” No. 10, 2017

Long before humans invented mail and newspapers, cats communicated using chemical signals—an invaluable means of communication for solitary creatures. It so happens that researchers have paid much less attention to the olfactory capabilities of cats than to dogs, so many people have the impression that cats’ sense of smell is so-so. This opinion is wrong.

Review of Feliway pheromone for cats

Pheromone is a product of the external secretion of cat facial glands, ensuring relationships between individuals of its species.

If a pet rubs its muzzle against objects that surround it or against its owners, then in this way it marks its property. In addition, with the help of pheromones, cats identify a stranger who has appeared in their group.

Cats like to rub against corners in the house, as well as various objects in it, and leave their pheromone there. But if they mark some objects with their urine, then they will never rub their muzzle against them again. This is the behavior of the cat that the producers of Feliway laid the foundation for. This drug contains an artificially synthesized pheromone from cat facial glands, so Feliway helps to correct the behavior of your pet at home.

When using Feliway cats:

• stop marking their territory with claw scratches and urine;
• get used to new living conditions in a short time;
• cope with stress arising from moving to a new place;
• They get along better with other animals living in the apartment.

Effect of a collar with pheromones

Pheromones are a group of compounds produced by the endocrine glands of animals. They have a specific smell, which allows animals to communicate within the species. This is a kind of signaling system that allows animals to transmit and receive information that stimulates certain actions.

Certain types of these substances have a calming effect on cats. In particular, collar manufacturers use synthetic analogs of maternal pheromones in their products. These substances are produced in the body of the mother cat and are intended to calm the kitten.

While still blind, the baby is guided by a specific smell and uses it to find his mother. Having smelled such a smell, an adult feels a sense of protection and safety, similar to what she experienced in childhood, being under maternal protection.

Collars with pheromones are designed specifically to relax and calm a cat, relieve aggression, anxiety and restlessness. The first versions of such collars were developed to help four-legged pets cope with negative emotions caused by moving, a change of environment, or a trip to the veterinarian.

Today, such collars are also used outside of stressful situations - to correct the behavior of the animal.

Also read the article about sedatives and sleeping pills for cats.

Indications for use

As you know, stress impairs the production of pheromones, therefore, if a cat becomes nervous, it will not create a comfortable environment for itself in a short time.

Feliway is recommended for use for:

• moving to a new place of residence;
• traveling even short distances, for example, to a veterinary clinic;
• the appearance of a new pet in the apartment or keeping a group of several pets in it;
• purchasing new furniture or carrying out repairs;
• separating kittens from cats at an early age;
• trips to an animal exhibition;
• coming to the house of people with whom the pet is not yet familiar.

In addition, Feliway for cats is recommended for use in cases of the following stress symptoms manifested in behavior:

• the emergence of fear;
• aggression that is not justified;
• trying to hide under the sofa, in a corner, or other secluded places.

Stress Factors and Signs of Anxiety in Cats

Cats, like people, experience a wide range of emotions; they can feel fear, anxiety, and restlessness. These animals prefer an orderly lifestyle, and when some events disrupt its course, it is stressful for the cat.

Such events include:

• hygiene procedures if the cat does not like water;
• long trips;
• visiting a veterinarian, cat hairdresser (groomer);
• therapeutic procedures (injections, taking tasteless drops or tablets, various medical procedures that are potentially or actually uncomfortable);
• participation in a championship or exhibition (especially if the cat does not like large crowds of people or excessive attention);
• changing of the living place;
• death of the owner or family members, change of owner for any reason.

Cats may not tolerate the conditions of overexposure in which some owners leave their pets if they know that the cat does not tolerate long trips. Some of the animals are physically unable to endure travel in transport due to the impact on the vestibular apparatus, then such movements become simply torture for them.

Cats react sensitively not only to stressful situations that directly affect them, but also acutely sense, for example, a thickened atmosphere in the house where conflicts occur or alienation reigns. They also do not tolerate loud sounds well, and a series of noisy parties, for example, New Year's, can greatly damage the animal's psyche.

The arrival of small children into the house (if the owners allow them to play with the cat) can upset the emotional background of the animal.

Having other animals in the house can also cause a lot of stress. This is especially true for situations when the cat is already old, and a young and active animal appears in the house.

It is not uncommon for animals to show aggression or signs of anxiety during periods of sexual arousal. Pregnancy and childbirth can also greatly disrupt a cat's mental state.

Sometimes animals begin to show signs of anxiety and restlessness in the absence of these stressful situations. This may indicate that something is upsetting the animal, driving it into an abnormal state (for example, lack of attention or its excess).

In addition, signs of anxiety may indicate a developing physical or mental illness.

Symptoms of increased anxiety include:

• manifestations of aggression (toward humans, other animals, and even directed at oneself);
• constantly making various sounds;
• marking the territory;
• strange jumps, movements of the body, paws, tail;
• frozen look;
• attempts to hide deeper;
• reluctance to communicate, especially if the cat generally likes to sit in your arms and be petted;
• constant consumption of food to the point of vomiting.

If, of course, the cat suddenly jumped up, this is not a reason to think that she is worried. Another thing is when several symptoms appear over a period of time, you should take the animal to the veterinarian.

In what cases can Feliway Multicat not help?

Feliway Multicat is designed to eliminate tension and conflicts between several cats living in an apartment.

And if the pet is aggressive towards humans, then this remedy will be useless, and its owner will have to seek help from a veterinarian or a specialist who corrects the behavior of pets.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pheromone therapy shows its effectiveness more for behavioral problems, primarily those associated with anxiety.

Pros of Feliway:

• harmless;
• easy to apply;
• effective as a behavior corrector;
• reduces urine marks by up to 98%.

Minuses:

• there are restrictions on the area of ​​influence;
• high price.

In any case, before evaluating the results of using pheromones, it is recommended to use Feliway for at least 1 month.

Instructions for use

Feliway itself is an absolutely transparent liquid, odorless and colorless. The product has no narcotic properties, it is not toxic and does not have any effect on people’s well-being. This is not a cure.

Feliway is produced in the form:

• Diffuser. The bottle contains 48 ml of the drug, and a fumigator is included.
• Spray. The canister contains 60 ml of the drug.

But each form has its own method of application.

Diffuser Feliway

The fumigator with a bottle containing the drug screwed into it is inserted into the socket. Just it should not be in a closed or hard-to-reach place.

When the diffuser heats up, the substance will begin to evaporate from it and spread throughout the room in the form of steam. The bottle lasts for about a month, and one diffuser can cover an area of ​​50-70 m2.

The fumigator included in the kit can only be used for Feliway pheromone. You cannot use a bottle of product without a diffuser. It is recommended to place it in the room where the cat marks most often.

The shelf life of the pheromone is 4 years, and it should be stored at room temperature in a dark and dry place, out of reach of children, away from food.

How to choose the right place to turn on the Feliway diffuser

The diffuser should be turned on in the room where the pet(s) spend most of their time, or where they scratch walls and furniture and urinate on objects. If the house is large or consists of several floors, and cats mark more than one room, then you should purchase diffusers, having previously calculated the area subject to damage (one, as mentioned above, is capable of treating 50-70 m2).

It is recommended to plug the diffuser into sockets in visible places, and not under the table, behind cabinets, doors and in other hard-to-reach places.

Is the Feliway diffuser safe?

Since the Feliway diffuser is made of plastic material that is not subject to combustion and meets all necessary international standards, it is considered safe. Only with constant use should you not forget to change it every six months.

Spray Feliway

Before spraying the room, it is recommended to remove the pet from it. Next, thoroughly wash the marked areas with a detergent without a strong odor (persistent and unpleasant odors will reduce the effect of the aerosol).

Heating and electrical appliances should be turned off before spraying. This is necessary to ensure that the alcohol in the spray does not ignite. The can must be at room temperature.

Before spraying, the can must be shaken several times, and during treatment, make short presses on the button, aiming the can at a 10-centimeter distance from door frames, furniture corners and other places (objects) marked by the animal and at a 20-centimeter height from the floor (to the treated areas reached the cat's face). This treatment with Feliway must be carried out daily for 30 days. After spraying, the cat can be allowed into the room only after 15 minutes.

As you know, cats primarily mark new furniture and recently renovated walls, so you should pay special attention to them. The room should be treated with the spray until the pet begins to rub its muzzle against objects in it.

Is it possible to treat a cat with Feliway spray?

No, under no circumstances should Feliway be applied to the fur and skin of a cat, because this product is intended only for treating premises and objects in it.

How quickly does Feliway work? How long will the effect last?

How quickly the drug works depends on the problem that arises. Some cats' behavior improves within a week, while others take longer to retrain. But one way or another, you should not evaluate the result before a month has passed.

The effect of Feliway spray lasts 4-5 hours, and then the room will need to be re-treated.

Collar with Feliway for cats

It allows you to use the product wherever the cat is. The main advantage of the collar is that pheromone vapors accompany the pet wherever he runs, having a calming effect on his nervous system and relieving him of stress.

The collar is effective and safe for cat health, suitable for animals of any breed and age. It will bring especially tangible benefits when an animal needs to be transported from one place to another, as well as during travel. On average, pheromones are released from the surface of the collar for a month.

Rules for using a pheromone collar

All pheromone collars have similar characteristics. The main difference is the duration of effective use. For different brands, the period of use ranges from one month to three. There are also longer-lasting models, but along with the duration of use, the price of such an accessory also increases.

General rules for using calming pheromone collars:

• protect the product from moisture; it should be removed while washing the cat;
• The animal should be comfortable, so the collar should not be tightened tightly (all quality products have adjustable lengths); a finger should fit freely between the neck and collar.

Before using the collar, you must carefully study the instructions.

Veterinarian's opinion

Konstantin Semenovich

I think Feliway is an excellent tool for normalizing the behavior of pets in various stressful situations - during trips, exhibitions or the appearance of strangers in the apartment. You can safely use even a spray, even a diffuser, even a collar - all products of this brand are absolutely safe for the health of the animal. When using these remedies, the cat’s emotional state quickly returns to normal, its appetite and desire to play returns. As a specialist, I recommend using Feliway.

Description of the drug

The French company CEVA Sante Animale produces the following types of pheromones:

• “Friendly” aroma of Feliway Classic. If it is sprayed over the “aggressive” one, it helps to reduce or completely eliminate urine marks, scratching of furniture and wallpaper. Pheromone normalizes behavior and provides comfort at home.
• Feliway MultiCat – for cats living together. Helps to establish harmonious relationships, reduce conflicts and aggression between cats.
• Feliscratch is a product designed to accustom a cat to a scratching post and stop it from scratching furniture.

These products are used to correct the behavior of cats. They are not medicinal substances.

The composition contains a synthetic component Feliway - an analogue of cat pheromones. The drug does not contain tranquilizers or narcotic drugs. Non-toxic, odorless. Feliway does not affect people's well-being. Feliway pheromones have no side effects or contraindications.

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

How can you help your cat?

Today, the pharmaceutical industry produces many different sedatives for cats and other pets. Owners of pet purrs should remember that sedatives intended for people are not suitable for animals. Therefore, before giving preference to one or another drug, you should definitely consult a veterinarian.

The most effective drugs include:

1. Catnip. In veterinary pharmacies it is sold in the form of sachets and a spray based on medicinal herbs. Cats really like the smell of mint and quickly normalize the nervous system. To calm your pet, scatter the contents of the sachets, spray the contents of the spray near the bedding, in the cat's house or in the places where your beloved pet sleeps. This product is very effective and completely safe for animals.
2. Soothing drops. Such drugs are most often used in veterinary practice to calm furry purrs. The soothing drops contain synthetic pheromones, which are an analogue of similar substances secreted by special glands located on the heads of cats. Cat pheromones send signals to the brain that there is no reason to panic. Calming drops will help if an animal, after suffering stress, hides in secluded places, does not go out to people, or shows excessive aggression.
3. Diffuser sedatives. outwardly resemble fumigators against annoying insects. Such remedies work by spraying a medicine into the air, which, evaporating in the air, saturates the room with an aroma that convinces the cat that there is no reason to worry and it is not dangerous to be in this room.
4. Collars. In veterinary pharmacies and veterinary clinics you can purchase special collars impregnated with synthetic pheromones that imitate the pheromones of a mother cat. It is these substances that calm animals, relieve attacks of aggression, eliminate anxiety and nervousness.

We suggest you read: Do you need to trim your hamster’s claws?

Calming medications for cats can also be produced in the form of tablets, capsules, drops, solutions, emulsions, as well as in the form of calming treats, automatic sprays with replaceable units.

Before using medications, read the instructions carefully, after consulting with your veterinarian.

Restrictions and security

A huge advantage of this sedative for cats is its safety. Pheromones do not affect the animal’s body, do not penetrate inside, they simply act as a signal for the animal, telling them that there is no need to worry or be afraid. The drug is odorless and has no effect on humans or other animals, since the pheromone system has strict species specificity and is simply not perceived by those for whom it is not intended.

Since the product does not have a systemic effect on the animal’s body, the manufacturer does not describe any restrictions for its simultaneous use with other products.

To preserve the properties of Feliway, it is necessary to store it correctly - in a place protected from light, separately from food products at a temperature of 20–25 degrees Celsius. The shelf life of the product is 4 years.