Cat Behaviour Cats, unlike dogs, are considered to be territorial animals, i.e. cats have very specific behaviour, based on managing their territory. Only when they feel their environment is secure, will some cats develop a relationship with other pets or humans. Territorial animals (like cats) have a very strong link with their territory, much stronger than the link they have with the other occupants Cats don't necessarily need a large territory, but in all cases, they will organise their space in the same way, dividing it into at least 3 parts: * Isolation areas, where cats can rest: These areas are often high places where the cat won't be disturbed and are rarely shared with other cats.
* Activity areas, where cats will play, hunt, eat and eliminate: Depending on the resources, the cat may be forced to share these areas.
* Passageways between all the areas (defined during various exploration activities): These paths will only change if there is a modification in the environment. As long as these areas and passageways don't change, cats feel secure. Any changes in the environment will disrupt the harmony of the territory, thus leading to stress. Cats are solitary animals
Solitary animals (like cats) need privacy and independence. They don't like to share their territory with other individuals, be these other cats, other pets or people. Owners of two or more cats often treat their pets as one 'group' able to share resources equally. However, in reality it is far more likely their cats live independently of each other, with very little or no interaction. In this case any interaction that must occur (e.g. while sharing a feeding station or litter tray) is a potential source of stress. The more cats in the house the worse this situation can become. Cohabitation with other cats can be highly stressful for a cat, increasing the potential for medical and behavioural problems Feline Marking Behaviour
To help them feel more secure, cats mark out their territory using a variety of visual and scent signals. This is a normal behaviour for cats and is necessary for their well-being. 1.Urine Marking - Feline urine spraying is one of the primary methods used by cats to mark out their territory. Whether male or female, neutered or not, it is exhibited in some way by almost every cat.
2.Scratch Marking - There are several kinds of scratching, not all of which are scratch marking. For example: Scratching horizontal surfaces when waking up, during play or sexual excitation Scratching on vertical surfaces to keep claws in trim Scratching on vertical surfaces to send a signal (Only this can be qualified as marking behaviour)
3.Facial Marking - The placing of facial pheromones is a behaviour which is well known to all cat owners. Domestic cats and our modern lifestyle : what a paradoxical situation! Modern life means more stress for cats.
On the one hand, cats have very specific needs which must be met for them to feel comfortable. They like privacy and need free access to important resources like food, resting areas, toilets, etc…. Moreover, they must be able to avoid potential stressful situations. However, modern life means we cannot always provide for these requirements : cats have to live in houses or flats, often without free access to outside. They don't have a complete control of their resources, and in many cases, are forced to share their living space with other individuals, including us humans, other pets and/or other cats. Stressful situations for cats
Cats are not naturally suited to our modern lifestyles. There are many situations and events which can be potentially stressful. The most important ones are listed below. Changes in the environment
Any change in your cat's environment may cause him stress.... Moving house can be particularly stressful for cats. Here, your cat is placed in a totally new environment. Even small changes which may be unnoticeable to you can be very stressful for your cat. Moving old furniture, redecorating or even buying new furniture all interfere with or move the marks left by the cat.
Changes in the people living in the household can also be a potential source of stress for your cat. Friends visiting, a new baby or a new pet (dog, cat etc..) can all cause distress. Multicat households
In a multicat household, cats have to share their territory with other cats. This is a most unnatural behaviour for cats, who are not naturally inclined to develop social contacts. Sharing their territory means losing control of resources, which is a fundamental need for cats. For example, cats living together often have their food bowls in the same location. If one cat doesn't want to come into contact with another individual, he may be forced to wait until the other cat has eaten. As a result both cats may eat quickly or change the amount they eat in one go. In some instances a cat may not feel comfortable enough to approach the feeding station at all and may go hungry or over-eat to prevent the other animal eating 'his' food. A similar situation may be seen around the litter tray. During the elimination process, cats need privacy. Most will not feel comfortable enough to use a tray in a room other cats can enter at any time. They don't want to be surprised by the other cat(s) in the elimination area. Consequently, they visit the litter tray as infrequently as possible and eliminate as quickly as they can, thus leading to inappropriate elimination (house-soiling) or potential medical conditions. Hospitalisation / Returning home
Both Hospitalisation and returning back to the home can cause a cat considerable distress. During a stay at the veterinary practice cats are required to stay in a cage, are often not able to hide, are manipulated and restrained by strangers and forced to share an environment with many other pets, including dogs. In addition to dealing with this stressful new environment, depending on the reason for the stay in the vet clinic, the cat may be in pain or feel unwell which adds to the distress. Once the cat returns home, things may not improve. While the cat has been at the vets, his reassuring marks may have disappeared from the walls and furniture and/or been replaced by those of the other cats. As a result, when he comes back home, even if the cat "visually" recognises his territory, without the facial marks he will feel lost. Similarly, other cats in the household may not 'recognise' him, as he may smell and/or look different (due to bandages, elizabethan collar, etc...). So, what is Feliway?
Feliway is a synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone, used by cats to mark their territory as safe and secure. By mimicking the cat's natural facial pheromones, Feliway creates a state of familiarity and security in the cat's local environment. As a result, Feliway can be used to help comfort and reassure cats, while they cope with a challenging situation and/or help prevent or reduce the stress caused to a cat during a change in their environment. The development of Feliway created a new field in veterinary medicine: Pheromonatherapy. Feliway is available in 2 forms: as a spray and an electric diffuser. How do I use Feliway?
How you use Feliway will depend on the situation your cat is faced with and/or the behaviour he or she is exhibiting. Further details about using Feliway to help cats face common challenging situations or showing obvious symptoms of stress are detailed below. Urine Marking
To reduce or prevent urine marking, firstly avoid cleaning marked areas with products that contain ammonia or bleach as cats are extremely sensitive to strong smells. Use water, surgical alcohol or an odourless solution to treat the soiled area. Plug the Feliway Diffuser into the room where the marking has taken place. If the cat marks several rooms, you may wish to place another diffuser in one of the other rooms. Leave the diffuser switched on continuously for at least 4 weeks. Replace the refill as required. The Feliway Spray can be used in addition to the diffuser to treat a particular area where marking persists. In such cases, clean the marked area and allow to dry. Then apply the spray daily, to both the site and nearby prominent objects. Stop site treatment when the cat marks the area with his or her own facial pheromone (is seen to rub the site with his or her head). Vertical Scratching
Spray 6 doses of Feliway Spray to the scratched area once a day. Apply for at least a month. Stop when the cat marks the site with his or her own facial pheromones (is seen to rub the site with his or her head). Most importantly, provide an alternative scratching post nearby. Multicat households
To reduce stress in a multicat household plug the Feliway Diffuser in the room where the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort. Leave the diffuser plugged in continuously for at least four weeks. Replace the refill as required. Make sure that each cat has its own place to sleep, eat and go to the toilet in peace, as well as a safe hiding place. Following a disruption to the cats' environment (redecoration, visitors, new pets, new baby)
Plug the diffuser into the room in which the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort. Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks or until the problem subsides. Replace refill as required. To help a cat settle in a new environment (after moving house, during kitten socialisation, following adoption)
Plug a Diffuser into the room in which the cat(s) display(s) signs of distress or discomfort. Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks. Replace refill as required. For transportation or during a stay in a cattery
Apply Feliway Spray directly into carrier or pen 15 minutes before introducing the cat (one spray in each of the four corners, two sprays on the floor and 2 sprays on the ceiling). Re-apply before each journey or daily during the cats' stay in the cattery. If using Feliway Spray in the cattery always allow 15 minutes before allowing the cat back into the area. During fireworks
Remember, during fireworks it is important to keep your cat(s) inside and block cat flaps. However, this may cause your cat's further stress, especially in multi-cat households. Plug the Feliway Diffuser in the room where the cat(s) rest(s) or retreat(s). Leave it plugged in continuously for four weeks or as long as the situation lasts. Replace the refill as required. General advice to consider when using Feliway Spray
When using the Feliway Spray you must keep in mind the problem you are trying to reduce or prevent. If your cat is urine spraying: "First consult a veterinary surgeon to confirm that your cat's problem is not of a clinical origin.
"Then after removing the cat from the room, clean the areas marked with urine using either a mixture of water and surgical spirits or a warm dilute solution of non-biological washing powder.
"Never use strong smelling disinfectants, bleach, biological washing powder, detergents or deodorisers to clean the affected areas. They may interfere with the action of Feliway and the strong smell may upset your cat further.
"Shake the bottle and apply the spray daily for at least 30 days. Do not stop when you notice improvement.
"Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway® to evaporate off.
"If you need to apply Feliway® to electrical equipment, switch off the appliance, allow it to cool down and then ensure it is completely dry before switching it on again.
"To prevent new furniture, freshly painted walls or other objects becoming the target of urine spraying activity, spray daily for the first 2 weeks or until the cat is seen to rub his or her head against the object.
"Remember, Feliway does not cover or mask bad smells. If your cat is scratch marking: "Remove the cat from the room
"Shake the bottle and apply the spray to the marked area daily for at least 30 days. Do not stop when you notice improvement.
"Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway to evaporate off.
"To prevent new furniture, freshly painted walls or other objects becoming the target of scratch marking activity, spray daily for the first 2 weeks or until the cat is seen to rub his or her head against the object.
"Never punish your cat for urine or scratch marking as this will only increase their level of distress and will not reduce the problem, but may make it worse. If your cat lives in a multi-cat household:
"Use as above but extend period of use to at least 45 days and increase the frequency of application to twice daily.
"Consider using a Feliway Diffuser to reduce the overall stress levels of all your cats. To give more general reassurance:
"Apply Feliway Spray to the doorways, cat-flap, windows sills and to other prominent objects within your home.
"Shake the bottle and spray at a height of about 20 cm from the floor.
"Wait 15 minutes before letting the cat re-enter the area to allow time for the alcohol carrier in Feliway to evaporate off. Feliway should not stain furnishings but it is recommended to test on a sample before use. General advice to consider when using the Feliway Diffuser
When using the Feliway Diffuser:
"Remove the vial cap
"Screw the diffuser onto the vial and gently tighten
"Plug the diffuser into an electric socket
"Do not plug in behind a door, curtain or underneath furniture
"Leave the device switched on continuously for at least four weeks
"Replace the refill as required Always consult your veterinary surgeon if your cat is showing signs of stress. Your cat's problem may be of a clinical origin and may require further treatment. The device and the refill are specially designed for the Feliway Diffuser. The product cannot be guaranteed if a different device is used with the refill. Similarly, the electric device should not be used with another substance. What is pheromonatherapy?
Pheromonatherapy, is a new way to manage behaviour problems in animals. It is an innovative and natural solution to stress related problems in cats and dogs. What are pheromones?
Pheromones are 'chemical signals' used to communicate between members of the same species. As a result pheromones emitted by one individual can affect and change the behaviour of other individuals of the same species. The most well known are the sex pheromones used to make the bitch or queen more attractive to the male when they are in season. However, pheromones can also be used to mark territory, intimidate aggressors etc.... How does an animal detect pheromones in the environment?
Pheromones are secreted into the air by one animal and detected by a specific organ situated in the upper palate. To detect the pheromones, animals pump air into the vomeronasal organ. This "pumping" behaviour is called " flehmen". Depending on the species, the flehmen can be very discreet (as in cats) or quite obvious (as seen in horses and sheep). On detection, the pheromone induces a subconscious behaviour change.Our Feliway products can be found by clicking on the links below:
Feliway Plug In
Feliway Refill
Feliway Spray
Feliway Transport | |
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