Anyone have experience with Feliway?

[spinbaby]

It’s supposed to be a hormone that calms cats. I have senior cats—11, 16, and 20. I also have four foster kittens in a spare bedroom and they’re getting to be of an age where they bolt out every time I open the door. The senior cats are looking stressed. I heard that Feliway is a hormone that calms cats when they find themselves in a stressful situation, for instance, kittens. Eventually I’d like to let the littles out of the spare room.

[SheltieLover]

1. I've heard they work

But likely depends on the cats & situation.

I know Rescue Remedy (Bach) & 5-Flower Essence (FES) can help, too. Many rescue organizations use these.

I hope the situation resolves favorably.

[CountAllVotes]

2. Yes

I have tried it at different times (it did not work).

I had to take my big tabby cat Silver to the vet. He was moaning up a storm and very upset.

The vet was obviously afraid of him and she whipped out a can of Feliway and began spraying it around the room. That scared poor Silver even more and the moaning got louder and the vet became terrified of him (he is a very big tomcat).

After that, I put him in the carrier and said, "Come on Silver, we are going home now and we won't be coming back here again". And so we did!

All of this said, I don't think it does any good. I'd tried it on my old sofa to try to get the cats to not claw it and that did not do any good either.

I guess you could give it a try but I would not spend a whole lot of money on it.

As for calming cats down, I have no good tips other than to remove them from the situation that is stressing them out.

I hope this helps and forget about these "treat" things they sell called "Composure" or some such thing is the name. Bought and tried those too and nope!

Best of luck!

[qazplm135]

3. had a cat that was dying of cancer, tried it

I don't think it did much to calm her during her rougher moments.

It's probably cat dependent. Can't hurt to try, worst case, it doesn't do anything, best case it works.

[Warpy]

4. It's magic when it works, but it doesn't work on all cats.

I tried it out when HRH was alive, I'd squirt a little in the cat carrier to make it a little easier on her and it did work, she still howled all the way there, but it wasn't a pitched battle to get her into it.

Most people use diffusers and hope for the best. The cure will be when the kittens find forever homes. Until then, can you give the little squirts time to explore in the afternoon, the old folks snoozing in your bedroom?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. It worked on one of my cats who was inclined to pee where he shouldn't.

I used the plug-in thing and before long he stopped doing it completely.

[wnylib]

6. Works pretty well for my cat when

she goes to the vet. She gets very anxious there and gives the vet a hard time about being examined or treated. I found that it works best when I spray it on a towel and then put the towel in the microwave for 10 or 15 seconds. The vet said the warmth makes the scent disperse better. Also works best in smaller places than large rooms. In large rooms, I'd spray 2 or 3 towels and place them around the room.

But the antics of kittens might be uncomfortable for seniors even with felliway. Kittens pouncing on their tails and climbing over them might be painful if they have arthritis or other ailments. And when kittens reach adolescence, they can be pretty feisty.

Any way to keep them separated for long periods to let the older cats relax? Introduce them gradually, a few minutes each day until the young and old are more comfortable together?

[spinbaby]

7. So far, not bad

I got a plug-in and let the kittens out to roam for half and hour while I cleaned their room. Kittens did the arched-back hissy thing when they encountered adults. Adults just gave them a “what the hell is that?” look and removed themselves to high places. Will try again today.

[wnylib]

8. Sounds like it will be ok.

How old are the kittens? My cat was a leaper and climber from day one, but still took a while before she could get to some of the highest places. I remember how nice it was before I had to cat proof places she could not reach until she got a little older.

[spinbaby]

9. They're about eight weeks

And anxious to get out of the guest room.

[wnylib]

10. Oh wow. Real live wires at that age.

But the older ones can probably get high enough to be out of reach for a few more weeks. Maybe by that time they will be more accustomed to the little ones.

Also, maybe the older ones can set some boundaries with one or two gentle swats.