Cats - Feliway FAQ's

What pheromone is in Feliway^®  and is it safe for humans?  

The pheromones released by Feliway^®  are identical to the familiarization facial pheromone that cats use to mark objects in their environment. As pheromones are species-specific, feline pheromones will have no effect on humans or other animals.

Is the Feliway^®  device safe?  

The Feliway^®  diffuser device was tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Should you use the device if you suffer from asthma?  

In addition to the pheromone content, Feliway^®  contains a paraffin-type mineral oil common to other air freshener devices. We are not aware of any specific problems for asthma sufferers from such devices, however if you consider yourself to be particularly sensitive, or have had problems when using similar devices in the past, we advise you to use the device only after consulting with your doctor or use the Feliway^®   Spray as an alternative.

How long should it take before I see an effect?  

This depends on the nature and the extent of your cat’s problem. Some cats show signs of improvement in less than a week. In any case, we would advise Feliway ^®   be used for at least one month before any assessment is made of its effectiveness.

What should I do if the problem is not solved after one month?  

Some cases do take longer to respond.  Feliway ^®   should be used for at least one month before you conclude that it is not working. Be sure the diffuser has been plugged-in where the pheromone can diffuse without restriction and that it has remained plugged-in continously 24 hours a day for 4 weeks. For best results you may wish to use the Feliway^®   Spray in conjunction with the Feliway^®   Diffuser . If you are concerned please speak to your veterinary practice.

Why should I not plug the diffuser in under furniture?  

You should not plug the diffuser in under furniture because oil vapor (carrying the pheromone) will rise in a column of warm air above the device. If this rising air is blocked (e.g. under a shelf, table, cabinet, etc) the oil may recondense and leave a visible mark. Circulation of pheromone will also be impaired and the efficacy of the product may be affected.

What is the most suitable way to clean up urine following urine marking?  

The use of a urine removal product, such as Urine-Away™ is recommended.  Completely cover the urine soaked area with the Urine-Away™ and allow to dry.  Feliway^®   Spray can then be sprayed onto the area to reduce the likelihood of urine marking re-occurring.

Can the Feliway^®  Diffuser be used in the same room as a plug-in air freshener?  

Yes - but beware that some strong smelling air fresheners and deodorizers can upset sensitive cats.

Should the Diffuser be un-plugged at night?  

No - the diffuser should be plugged-in continuously day and night. Efficacy was demonstrated in clinical trials with non interrupted use of the diffuser which allows the cat to perceive the pheromone’s signal consistently.

The cat sprays or urinates on electrical items frequently, where should the Diffuser be plugged in?

Locate the device out of reach or consider using the Feliway^®  Spray.

The level of liquid appears not to be going down?  

The diffusion of the liquid from the Feliway^®  Diffuser is a very slow process.  As such, it can be very difficult to see any change to the level of the liquid in the device over the first week of use. Slight variations will occur depending on air turnover.  Check that the wick is not broken (it should extend from the bottom of the liquid to a level flush with the top of the heated ceramic plate).  Try the device in a different electrical socket.

Do I need to change the refill even though the liquid has not completely run out?

Some devices will run for a little longer than the 4 weeks due to differences in location, air turnover, etc and you may get slightly more than 4 weeks, but remember that the device will never empty completely as the last few millilitres of liquid are not sufficiently in contact with the wick. It is therefore recommended to replace the refill after 4 weeks.

The Diffuser smells of burning - is it safe?  

New diffusers may smell slightly for the first 24 hours, just as an electrical heater might when dust has collected on it. Diffusers in a very dusty environment may smell more persistently. Be sure that a dog or cat has not urinated or sprayed onto the device. If the device is used continuously for long periods of time, we recommend that it is changed every 6 months.

Can the liquid from the Feliway^®  Spray be used in the Feliway^®  Diffuser?  

No - the Feliway^®  Spray is alcohol based and should never be used in the Feliway^®  Diffuser.

Do I need to use the Feliway^®  Spray, the Feliway^®  Diffuser or both?  

In some situations, for best results you may wish to use both the Feliway^®  Diffuser and the Feliway^®  Spray . In the table below, you will find guidelines outlining the most appropriate formulation according to your situation.