Have you recently been suggested Feliway for cats but unsure if it will actually be worth the money? Well, this tried and tested Feliway review will tell you all you need to know.
This post mainly focuses as a Feliway Diffuser review but also covers Feliway sprays as well as explaining the difference between Feliway Classic, Feliway Friends and Feliway Optimum – because yes, I agree, it can get confusing.
Feliway Review: Can Feliway really help your stressed cat?
Do you have a stressed cat at home? Perhaps you are introducing a new cat, dog or even baby into your home and are worried about how your cat might react? These are the main reasons Feliway first gets suggested and rightly so, this is a certified scientific product approved by Veterinarians and Behaviourists.
Feliway is not a gimmick product, it is the result of years of research, however, it is important you are aware it is not a quick fix, which is what we share in this post.
Firstly, I do want to state I have been using (in my own home) and recommending (as a Veterinary professional) Feliway diffusers for around 8 years now. It is safe to say I am invested in this product but it is not the only behavioural product I use – I also use Pet Remedy.
So, what exactly is Feliway and how does it work?
Feliway for cats is more than just aromatherapy, again I want to reiterate this is science.
Feliway is a feline facial pheromone analogue. That means that it is a man-made version of the substance your cat deposits when she rubs her cheek on your leg or furniture. This substance is a signal that cats use to mark objects in their “territory”. The smell tells the cat she is in a safe place.
Feliway can be used to make a new place or situation “feel” more familiar and safe for cats.
So essentially, Feliway recreates the scent of a cat’s natural pheromone, helping them to feel secure in the environment they are in.
Ceva, the produces of Feliway, also offer a money back guarantee which I personally think is fantastic and a great incentive to try the product.
Feliway is recommend for cats who are:
- Spraying
- Scratching
- Hiding
- Fighting
- Not eating
- Overgrooming
As well as in preparation for situations such as:
- Travel
- Visiting the Vets
- New pet
- New baby
- Visitors
- Moving Home
- Cattery
- Decorating or building works
- Holiday
Essentially any change to their normal environment in which they feel safe. Even if you have not noticed it yet, cats are sensitive creatures. They are very much creatures of habit who like to be in control, take the control and security away from them and there is a good chance you have a cat who is displaying signs of stress.
It is important to point out Feliway is only effective on cats, no other person and animal will be affected by it and will not be able to smell it.
How do you use Feliway?
The most popular Feliway product is a diffuser, this works very much like the household air freshener diffusers.
As previously mentioned, only cats can smell the product when it is switched on and working.
The diffuser is said to have effect across the whole home but it is recommend it is plugged in them room in which your cat either spends the most time or if used in conflict, in the room where the conflict is generally happening.
It is important to know Feliway does not start acting instantly. It takes time to build-up and takes effect, on average around 7 days. During this time and after, the diffuser must be switched on at all times. If you turn it off and on overnight it will not work and you may believe the product is not working.
Again, as the pheromone takes an average of 7 days to take full effect, you need to be planning in advance. For example, if you are having a lodger live with you for a few weeks, you need to plug it in at least a week before they move in, as opposed to plugging in the day they move in.
The average diffuser lasts 28-30 days, at which point you can buy a refill or stop using Feliway if your event is over. In our house, we now just have a Feliway permanently plugged in and plan to keep it that way.
My personal Feliway review
Okay, you can probably tell by now that I am a fan of the product and will recommend it to anyone I know who has cats but I feel it is important to share why.
Firstly and again, it is science. A LOT of study and trials have gone into this product, it is not a new fad product, it is one which has been proven and has build a reputation over the years.
Secondly, I notice a difference in my cat’s behaviour and I then notice the Feliway Diffuser has run out. This to me shows it works.
My usage of Feliway is in a multi-cat household, one of which is a quite nervous cat. There has never been any spraying but there has been scratching, at times over grooming and the occasional fight. Feliway along with other measures helps to aid this and as soon as any signs of these start to reoccur, there is a very strong chance the Feliway diffuser has run out with me noticing.
I would not say Feliway is the sole reason my cats now get along and one of them is a lot less timed than she used to be. It is a combination of a lot of behavioural adjustments but Feliway is a big input to this and if I took it away I know I would start to see signs of stress appear again.
I do not want people to think I am saying is the quick magic fix to all your behavioural problems because it won’t be, you will still need to get to the route of the underlying issue, however, Feliway will support and sustain the fix once adjusted.
For example, if you have a multicat household with inappropriate urination, the problem will not be fixed by plugging in a diffuser, you need to find the reason for this (such as cats not sharing a litter box) but the diffuser will help your cat feel secure in their environment and therefore increase the chance of the changes working. With continued use, it should also stop the problem from rearising as well.
Remember: A happy, stress-free cat is a cat which feels secure and safe. Feliway provides the security to enable them to deal with the change.
Which Feliway product should I buy?
Okay, so this is where it gets confusing, as Feliway has brought out multiple different products, therefore I am going to break them all down for you so you know which one to buy.
| Product | When to use | Price |
| Feliway Classic Diffuser | – To comfort your cat at home constantly – If your cat shows signs like spraying, scratching walls or furniture (in multiple locations) -If your cat shows signs of stress such as hiding, reduced activity, reduced appetite, over-grooming. – If you anticipate changes in your home (E.g. moving home, renovation, redecorating, the arrival of a new pet, arrival of a new family member…) | Starter set: £16.49 |
| Feliway Friends Diffuser | – If you have 2 or more cats living together, and they are showing signs of tension such as chasing, blocking or staring. – If your cats that live together are fighting, even if they have been fighting for a long time. | Starter set: £17.40 |
| Feliway Optimum Diffuser * Newest product* | Includes both: – Happy messages – cats leave these messages in their environment when they feel comfortable and happy. – Harmony messages – a mother produces these messages for her kittens Use in any of the reasons listed for both Classic and Friends. | Starter set: £23.99 |
| Feliway Classic Spray | – If you plan to travel with your cat, spray in the carrier 15 minutes before – If you plan to visit the vet with your cat, spray in the carrier 15 minutes before – If your cats show signs of stress during transport: E.g vomiting, urination, defecation but also meowing, agitation and salivation – If your cat shows signs of stress at home like spraying, scratching walls or furniture, in targeted locations | £7.90 |
The prices above are for the Starter sets inclusive of the Plugin device, after this, you will need to just purchase a refill, which is priced a couple of pounds lower.
So which one should you choose? If you can afford to I would first recommend Feliway Optimum as it seems to be there new ‘powerful’ and most advanced version. Although having said that, if it is not in your budget, I have been using Feliway Classic for the past few years and only have positive things to say.
If you are based in America you can also purchase through Chewy and receive 30% off your first order.
Alternatives to Feliway
At present, there are no direct competitors of Feliway which work as cat pheromone replicators. Other products will not be using the science they use, therefore, will not work the same and potentially as effectively.
However, above I mentioned I also use Pet Remedy often. Pet Remedy is designed to alleviate anxiety issues in all species. Pet Remedy works with the pet’s own natural calming mechanisms by mimicking GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) which is a natural calming agent present in all mammals, reptiles, and birds.
The formulation is predominantly Valerian oil based (from Eastern Europe), with small inclusions of Vetiver, Sweet Basil, and Clary Sage essential oils.
Unlike Feliway, it has an obvious smell, which I don’t mind but I know some people who do not like it.
I like Pet Remedy as it works a lot quicker and it helps multiple species at once. Therefore, say your potentially ‘stressful event’ is happening tomorrow, it is too late for Feliway to properly start working, however, Pet Remedy may still be able to help relieve the anxiety throughout the event and after.
I see Pet Remedy as more of a calming, aromatherapy help as opposed to a behavioural situation fix.