Feliway: Pheromone Therapy - Vet-Recommended
Feliway® is the synthetic analogue of a feline facial pheromone that is purported to have three principal functions: assisting in spatial organization, enhancing intercat relations and providing emotional stabilization. The product is available for delivery in a plug-in device and as a spray (and recently as a plug-in mat in some countries). Several studies have supported the efficacy of Feliway® in reducing urine marking, whether of recent onset (less than 3 months) or chronic. Cats with recent onset marking have the best response to Feliway®, with full cessation of marking in 96% of affected cats reported in one 28-day study (Pageat, 1996). Treatment success in cats with chronic urine marking was lower, but still impressive (see Chapter 21). While full cessation of marking is the best out come, reduction in marking is also considered a positive outcome and studies have repeatedly shown high success rates with Feliway® treatment, with greater than 75% of households experiencing a significant decrease in urine marking (Hunthausen, 2000; Mills and Mills, 2001). Most cats respond within a month of treatment implementation, with some responding within just a few days. Incidence of relapse after cessation of Feliway® treatment has not been reported, with the exception of a study that tracked urine marking for 4 weeks following completion of a month of treatment with Feliway® (Frank et al., 1999). In that study, there was no evidence of a relapse within the 4 weeks post treatment. Long-term therapy may be necessary, especially if other treatment recommendations are not successfully implemented.
- The feline F3 pheromone (available as Feliway®) is said to make a cat feel more secure in its home environment, and may help to reduce overall tension where there is no overt aggression and cats are known to each other.
- An F3 pheromone product such as Feliway® should be placed in both the new and the resident cats’ areas 2 weeks before the introduction, while an F4 fraction such as Felifriend® should be used at the time of introduction.
- Synthetic analogues of the feline facial pheromones, such as Feliway®, are widely used for the treatment of spraying behaviour
- The F3 pheromone fraction, such as Feliway® spray, is recommended for having a calming effect on cats during travel by making them feel more secure in their environment. The product is sprayed in the carrier about half an hour before the journey.
- A pheromone diffuser (Feliway®) should be used continuously in the cat ward.
- The synthetic analogue of feline pheromone, Feliway®, either as a spray or in a diffuser, may also be beneficial and can be used at home as well as in the veterinary hospital. Both Feliway® and Felifriend® can be sprayed on to wrists and hands prior to handling to help to decrease arousal levels.
- Several Feliway® diffusers should be dispersed around the house for about a week before the introduction of the new kitten.
- Where anxiety is due to the presence of other cats, for example, this may mean excluding other cats from one room. The hiding place within this area should be retained, so that the cat can retreat if sounds or scents predictive of the original threat occur. Use of Feliway® in this area may be of benefit, provided that the source of threat is removed. The extent of the area in which the cat feels safe can then gradually be increased.
- Feline facial pheromone fraction F3 (Feliway®) is marketed as a familiarization odour and is indicated in cases of aggression that are related to social tension within the home or to anxiety-related behaviours. The aim is for F3 to make each cat feel more secure and relaxed within the home and thereby reduce conflict and make aggression less likely. It has been reported to be successful in cases where overt aggression is mild but there are obvious signs of social tension between the residents (Ogata and Takeuchi, 2001).
General indications
Pheromones are useful for reducing a wide range of fear and anxiety induced behaviours in cats and dogs, and their trade names have become synonymous with their formulation.
Feliway® (CEVA Sante Animale, Libourne, France) is a synthetic version of the F3 fraction of the feline facial pheromone, which may be effective in the control of stress, anxiety, urine marking and vertical scratching, as well as when introducing cats to situations that might evoke fear or anxiety such as a new home, veterinary hospital or car ride. It might be particularly useful in improving appetite, social interactions and play, when these have been inhibited by fear or anxiety. It may also be a useful adjunct for any disease process in which stress and anxiety might be a contributing factor, such as interstitial cystitis.
Specific indications
Feline facial fraction F3: The spray form of Feliway® has been shown to reduce urine marking in 74.7 96.7% of cases and resolve the problem in 33–96.7% of cases (Pageat and Tessier, 1997a; White and Mills, 1997; Frank et al., 1999 ; Ogata and Takeuchi, 2001). In a 10 month followup study, 77% of cats remained under control, with 62% of owners ceasing the spray and 38% still using it intermittently (Mills and White, 2000). The pheromone diffuser was also found to be significantly more effective than the placebo at reducing urine marking (Mills and Mills, 2001).
Pheromone spray has also been shown to reduce anxiety induced scratching (marking) (Pageat and Gaultier, 2003). Compared with the placebo, the feline pheromone spray significantly reduced marking when sprayed into vacation homes in advance of the cats’ arrival. With pheromones, the cats ate sooner and were less likely to wander away from the home (Pageat and Tessier, 1997a).
Spraying feline pheromone on a blanket or towel 30 minutes before placing cats into a veterinary hospital cage resulted in a significant increase in grooming and interest in food compared with the placebo (Griffith et al., 2000). Over a 24 hour period, cats with the pheromone sprayed into their own cage had significantly greater food intake than cats in cages treated with the carrier substance of the pheromone spray alone (Griffith et al., 2000).
In a study of the effects of feline pheromone spray on car ride anxiety, somatic signs (vomiting, urination and defecation) as well as the owner’s subjective score of the signs of anxiety (vocalization, agitation, salivation) were significantly improved in the pheromone group compared with the placebo (Gaultier et al., 1998; Pageat and Gaultier, 2003).
In a small double blinded crossover study of nine cats with idiopathic cystitis, there were no statistical differences between the groups but there was a trend towards fewer days with clinical signs and reduced episodes of cystitis when using the Feliway® diffuser (GunnMoore and Cameron, 2004). This and other medical indications in which stress is implicated deserve further investigation.
Choice of delivery system
Feline facial pheromone: Feliway® (the F3 fraction) is available as a spray that can be used on specific spots where the cat might be marking (i.e. urine or scratching) or on blankets or into carriers or crates to reduce anxiety associated with crating, car travel or unfamiliar environments (e.g. veterinary clinics). For urine marking and scratching, each marked site as well as prominent objects that the cat might mark should be sprayed daily for at least 30 days. For multi cat households the spray should be used twice daily for 45 days.
A plugin diffuser is also available, which delivers the pheromone throughout the environment. The diffuser can be used for urine marking in multicat households and to help to reduce fear and anxiety associated with other pets, changes in the household or moving to a new home.
Efficacy of sprays and diffusers: When using the spray on a blanket or crate, it should be applied about 10–15 minutes in advance and repeated if needed up to every 1–2 hours. Diffusers deliver pheromones to 50–70 m2 (about 650 square feet) for about 4 weeks. At least one diffuser should be used per floor or separate airspace, and efficacy may be compromised where airconditioning is fitted. While peak pheromone levels should be reached in the environment in about 24 hours, it may take up to 30 days or longer to assess the full effect of the pheromone and behaviour therapy combination.
Contraindications, side effects and adverse events
Since the pheromone is a natural compound that targets only the specific species external chemical receptors for which it has been produced, there is no toxicity risk, nor contraindications and no effects on other species. They are safe for sick or aged pets and can be used safely in combination or with any drugs, including psychotropic agents. The collar loses efficacy when wet and the sprays should be tested on a small area before using on fabrics, walls or furniture, in case of a mark being left.
References and further reading
Horwitz, D. F., & Mills, D. S. (Eds.). (2009). BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine (2nd ed.). British Small Animal Veterinary Association.