Feliway for Cats 2025: Reduce Anxiety & Stress at Home 🐱

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

Cats are sensitive creatures, and changes in their environment or routine can lead to stress and anxiety. Signs of feline stress can include scratching furniture, marking territory, aggression, hiding, or even reduced appetite. One tool that has gained popularity for managing stress-related behaviors in cats is Feliway.

🌿 What is Feliway?

Feliway is a synthetic version of the feline facial pheromone that cats use to mark their environment as safe and secure. By mimicking these natural pheromones, Feliway can help reduce stress, alleviate anxiety-related behaviors, and create a calming environment for your cat.

It’s important to consult your veterinarian before starting Feliway or any new treatment to ensure it’s suitable for your cat's specific needs.

🛠️ Types of Feliway Products

1. Standard Feliway

• Designed to help cats feel secure in their surroundings.

• Useful for mitigating behaviors such as scratching and spraying, especially during stressful changes like moving or introducing a new pet.

2. Feliway Friends (also known as Feliway MultiCat)

• Formulated to reduce tension and conflict between multiple cats in the same household.

• Mimics the “harmony marker” pheromone that mother cats emit to foster unity and calmness among kittens.

Which to choose?

• Single cat showing stress → Standard Feliway

• Multiple cats in conflict → Feliway Friends

🐾 Additional Methods to Reduce Anxiety

While Feliway is helpful, there are other strategies to support your cat’s mental and emotional well-being:

1. Routine

   • Consistent feeding, playtime, and litter box cleaning can provide comfort and predictability.

2. Playtime

   • Regular play sessions stimulate your cat mentally and physically. Toys that mimic prey, like feather wands or laser pointers, are especially engaging.

3. Quiet Spaces

   • Ensure your cat has a safe retreat, such as a dedicated room, a cat tree, or a cozy box.

4. Comforting Scents

   • Cats often find comfort in familiar smells. Leaving worn clothes or blankets with your scent in their favorite spaces can help them relax.

5. Thundershirt for Cats

   • This specially designed garment applies gentle pressure to the torso, creating a calming effect.

6. Professional Consultation

   • Severe or persistent anxiety may require guidance from a veterinarian or an animal behaviorist. They can suggest tailored solutions, including behavioral strategies or anti-anxiety medication.

🌳 How to Enrich Your Cat’s Environment

Enrichment is crucial to reduce stress and keep your cat happy:

1. Cat Trees and Perches

   • Cats love to climb and observe. Elevated spaces give them a sense of security.

2. Interactive Toys

   • Toys that challenge your cat mentally, like puzzle feeders, are excellent for engagement.

3. Scratching Posts

   • Provides an outlet for natural scratching behaviors and helps maintain claw health.

4. Access to Windows

   • Watching birds, cars, and outdoor activity stimulates curiosity and prevents boredom.

5. Hiding Places

   • Boxes, tunnels, paper bags, or cardboard houses allow cats to feel safe and secure.

6. Rotating Toys

   • Rotate toys regularly to keep your cat interested and prevent boredom.

7. Different Textures

   • Offering soft blankets, cool surfaces, or different flooring textures can provide sensory enrichment.

8. Cat-Friendly Plants

   • Non-toxic indoor plants allow cats to explore nature safely indoors.

⚠️ Final Thoughts

While outdoor access can offer additional stimulation, it’s essential to provide a safe and enriched indoor environment for your cat. Tools like Feliway, combined with proper routines, environmental enrichment, and professional guidance when needed, can dramatically reduce stress and improve your cat’s overall well-being.

A happy, calm cat is more likely to engage positively with its human companions and exhibit natural, healthy behaviors — making your home a more peaceful place for everyone.