Feliway

My cat is scratching the new furniture...

It is always upsetting to discover scratch marks on the furniture, particularly when it is brand new…. However from the cat's point of view, every new object must be checked and then identified as safe. When your cat scratches your new furniture, he’s simply trying to incorporate it into its own environment.

In such circumstances it is totally useless to punish your cat. In fact this could even make the problem worse by adding to the stress he already feels.

Feliway can help your cat cope with these changes.

More information about using Feliway® to reduce or prevent scratch marking.(do the link)

Cat is spraying...

There are 2 types of inappropriate urinatation : elimination outside of the litter tray and urine marking/spraying.

To solve the problem, it’s necessary to identify which of inappropriate urination you cat is showing.

How can you tell the difference?

First of all, where is your cat spraying/urinating?

- If the urine is on horizontal surfaces, it’s likely to be elimination. In this case you may observe your cat to adopt the same posture as when he/she pees in the litter tray. Your cat may have some urinary problems and you should consult your veterinary surgeon as soon as possible.

- If the urine is on vertical surfaces (wall, furniture,…) at about 20cm from the floor, it’s very likely urine marking/spraying. You cat will stand up to spray with their tail held high above their head.

More information about feline spraying

More information about how Feliway^® can prevent or reduce unine spraying

My cat doesn't like travelling by car…

Travelling by car is a very unnatural situation for a cat and thus very challenging. The cat is placed in a cage, lift up from the floor and put in a noisy, smelly, unpredictable environment.

Feliway^® can ease the whole process by giving a sense of familiarity and security.

More information about using Feliway^® to help cats travel

I’m moving house. How will my cat cope?

The moving process and the changes and challenges that result (removal men, boxes, unusual noises, removed furniture, decoration work …) can be very disturbing for your cat.

New research shows that 43% of cats will take over a week to adjust to new surroundings with 65% of pet owners believing that a house move is equally or more stressful for our pet than for us..

Moreover, while your previous home was full of signals deposited by your cat that marked it as familiar and safe, there are no such signals in the new home and everything is new and different. This can cause your cat to feel very unsettled and you may notice changes in his/her behaviour. Your cat my choose to hide and appear to shun interaction with the family. He/she may lose his/her appetite and/or begin urine marking or scratching…

Feliway^® can ease the whole process by giving a sense of familiarity and security to your cat, helping then cope during the moving period and adjust to your new home.

“Moving house is a mentally challenging time for all concerned, but particularly for cats. After all, they will find themselves in unfamiliar territory with lots of strange smells, wondering what on earth has happened! This is something that can be extremely stressful for territorial animals like cats,” explains pet behaviour counsellor Vicky Halls.

Top five tips for moving house with your cat – by Vicky Halls

To help your house move go smoothly, follow these top tips:

1. On the day of the move, shut your cat or cats into one room that has been cleared, leaving food, bedding, a litter tray, one piece of furniture in / under which he/she can hide and the travel box. Make sure that the removal team knows that the door to the room must be kept shut to avoid him/her going missing at the last moment

2. If you have access to the property before the removal van arrives it is helpful to plug in a Feliway Diffuser to make your cat feel more comfortable when he/she arrives

3. Try to unload one room first. Here the cat can be shut to rest and recover from the car journey while you sort out the rest of the house

4. When you first allow your cat outside, it is best to choose a weekend when you are at home and let him/her out just before meal time

5. Ensure your cat is micro-chipped in case he/she gets lost

More information about how Feliway^® can help your cat during the moving process

My cats don't get on...

This is understandably disappointing! Especially if you have adopted a new cat to keep your old cat company. However, by adopting another cats you have forced your cat to share his territory and resources (food, water, litter tray, sleeping areas…) with the other cat. This often proves highly stressful and the resulting stress can take a number of different forms, some so subtle that you may not notice them.

- The cats may act as if they are living apart. There is no interaction between them and they ignore each others presence.

- One cat may be see to 'bully' the other, i.e. blocking access to litter tray, food or water.

- The cats may show aggressive behaviour toward each other.

In all cases, the situation is very stressful for all the cats involved.

Feliway^® can help reduce your cat's stress levels and help them tolerate each others presence in your home.

More information about helping cats live together

More information about how Feliway^® can help cats living in a mult-cat household

My cat doesn't like new people...

Throwing a party at home? Having a baby? How will your cat react?

From his point of view, it is a huge disturbance in his routine. Not only are there lots of new people, children and maybe other pets in his home, but also strange noises, furniture being rearranged, new unusual objects etc…

Feliway^® can help your cat deal with the changes related to this busy time, by providing a sense of familiarity and security.

More information about how Feliway^® can help you cat cope with new people

I am adopting a new cat...

New home, new people, children, maybe other pets, all this adds up to a challenging situation for both kittens and adult cats. Feliway^® can ease the adoption process by giving the cat a sense of familiarity and security.

More information about how Feliway^® can help a new kitten or cat settle in their new home

We are going on holiday. What about our cat?

Whether you are taking the cat on holiday with you or if he is staying in a cattery, the new environment is likely to disturb your cat’s routine (travelling, unfamiliar premises and people, access to resources …) and it might take him some time to adjust.

More information about how Feliway^® can help your cat travel

More information about how Feliway^® can help you cat settle while away from home

My cat doesn't like visiting the vet…

This is understandable as it involves travelling which your cat might not like, and facing challenges within the veterinary premises.

For your cat, everything in a practice environment can be a source of apprehension:

- Smells (disinfectant, other pets,)

- Strangers (vet staff, pet owners…)

- Noises (barking dogs, meowing cats, phone…)

- Restrictive handling by unknown vet staff

- Former unpleasant experience

You can help your cat cope with these challenges by using Feliway^® in the basket prior to vet visit.

More information about using Feliway^® to help your cat travel

You can also help your cat recovering from hospitalisation by using Feliway^® at home when he returns.

More information about how Feliway^® can help your cat after a stay in the vet clinic

If they are not alreadying doing so, you may also wish to ask your vet to use Feliway^® in your cats ward.