Feliway Diffuser Alternatives

Delairen

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I was considering trying Feliway again to help keep my cats calm and happy during an upcoming extended trip where they will be left at home with a pet sitter, but the last time I used one of the diffusers it leaked all over the place and made a really big mess. Reviews on the feliway diffusers don't seem to be much improved - and in fact - are worse now than they were when I used one a few years ago, so I'm wondering if anyone has tried using the refills in a different diffuser - perhaps an essential oil diffuser or some other type of device?
 

jen

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I think the problem with that would be that many essential oils are toxic to cats and the Feliway has that pheremone that makes it work. What about Feliway spray or a calming collar?
 
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Delairen

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Oh, I didn't mean using essential oils. I meant opening up the feliway refill and putting it inside a (clean, unused, new) essential oil diffuser.

Sorry if that wasn't clear.

The reason I was hoping to find a diffuser alternative rather than using the alternative products (such as the spray) is that I'm looking for something passive that can be in constant use when we're not at home. We're going to be going on an extended trip and one of our cats, Jenkins, in particular tends to get very distressed when my husband is not around (to call Jenkins a velcro kitty is... well... it's putting it mildly). The spray bottle would work if someone is home to spray it, but our cat sitter is only going to be coming by twice a day for feedings and visits.


I think the problem with that would be that many essential oils are toxic to cats and the Feliway has that pheremone that makes it work. What about Feliway spray or a calming collar?
 

jen

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Well if they come twice a day they could respray the cats favorite spots each time. I understand if that is a bit much to ask. I wonder how long the cat can smell it for before having to respray. Maybe someone knows? Also I like your idea of putting the feliway into a regular diffuser. I don't know if that will work though to the same desired effect.... I guess I am no help lol :(
 

Furballsmom

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Hi! Have you looked at other brands?
I know there is thunderease, sentry and probably others making diffusers. Hopefully they're using different sources for the plug-in part...also, there are collars as I understand it. I don't know brands for these.
 
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Delairen

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I looked around at alternatives on Amazon and not a one has more than a 3 Stars on reviews.

:-/ I'm open to alternatives - I just am not sure that there are any that are better.


Hi! Have you looked at other brands?
I know there is thunderease, sentry and probably others making diffusers. Hopefully they're using different sources for the plug-in part...also, there are collars as I understand it. I don't know brands for these.
 

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Two things - one of my vets suggested a drop or two drops of pure frankincense oil, the good kind of essential oil not the fake kind (and I will double check that's the right oil but I'm 99% sure it was) - rub into your hands and pet the cats back. Keep it out of the eyes and don't use a lot. This is going to be the next thing I try if things keep progressive for me with my resident cat.

The thing I use now, I do have one feliway is new kitties room, is something called "At ease" from Wiskercity. I'm been spraying it where Charlie (resident kitty is) and it does seem to help.
 
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Furballsmom

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Hi!
not a one has more than a 3 Stars on reviews.
Ugh, that's not good at all!!

I don't know what you might have looked at, so let me post this. There is a link to a couple other discussions, below...
There are other products with different ingredients such as L-Tryptophan and casein.

In addition some people are using CBD oil.

There is Zylkene, Calming Care, Calm-o-mile, Sentry, Natures Miracle calming spray, Vetri-Science's Composure is another item to look at, Pet Remedy (it has valerian) is yet another, as is Essential Pet Pet-ease, Only Natural Pet (brand and website) has a calming product, Pet Naturals also has one I believe.

Lambert Vet Supply is a website to look at, and of course chewy . com, also there's Petwishpros, drsfostersmith, animaleo.

There are a couple of recent discussions about calming items, here's the link to one thread. Post #6 in this has a link to the second discussion.
Calming Treats?
 
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Tobermory

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Oh, I didn't mean using essential oils. I meant opening up the feliway refill and putting it inside a (clean, unused, new) essential oil diffuser.
That’s an interesting idea. I don’t know, though, how the Feliway would get warmed and by what means the pheromone would be released into the air. That’s what that porous “wick” does, pulls up the pheromone where the warming element causes it to disperse. I have some plug-in essential oil diffusers that use a small pad. You put the liquid on the pad and the heat diffuses it. But your pet sitter would have to put the Feliway on it periodically because it would dry up. I’d be reluctant to experiment since there would be no way to know if it was working.

I’ve used Feliway diffusers for years and never had a problem, although I’ve read the reviews of people who have had problems like yours. There’s a lot of discussion about what’s really Feliway—the product made by Ceva—and what’s masquerading as Feliway. It used to be labeled “Feliway,” then “Comfort Zone by Feliway,” and now, there are products labeled “Comfort Zone” and the word Feliway appears no where on the product. I’m suspicious of the latter.

Someone said they contacted Ceva, and Ceva recommended using links to Amazon from Ceva’s website to make sure you’re buying the real Feliway product. It may be that the “real” Feliway diffusers are more reliable.

For an alternative, my holistic vet recommended a natural product called Calm-a-Mile RTU. It’s an herbal blend, and you put one or two tiny drops on your hand, rub your hands together, and then run your hands down the kitty’s back. I’ve tried it with my stressed cat and it smells wonderful. I certainly find it calming. :) But it also comes in a form that’s designed to be used with a diffuser: Calm-a-Mile NEAT diffusion blend. The company also sells a diffuser, but my vet said not to buy the diffuser there because you can get them cheaper on Amazon. The company is called animaleo. Here’s the link: Learn More
 
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Delairen

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Wow! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - there's a lot of products to look at researching here.

They're due for the annual check up in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to discuss these options with our Veterinarian and try to figure out what would work best!
 

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Hi everyone, This is a helpful discussion. I have used Feliway for years for two male cats. It has always worked. I came across your thread because I was looking for a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to Feliway. Feliway does work for the cats. What I have also learned from experience is that my cats who urinate outside of their litter box also require an extremely clean litter box with daily scooping of poop or urine especially if you have multiple cats- I have two. Besides daily scooping, I change the entire litter box every 3 days. Also, the same cat has sensitive paws so I have used Dr. Elsey's Paw Sensitive Clumping Clay Cat Litter, This works great in conjunction with the Feliway. For a more environmentally friendly brand I started to use Okocat Super Soft Clumping Wood Unscented Cat Litter. This brand works well too.
 

Alldara

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Wow! Thanks everyone for all the suggestions - there's a lot of products to look at researching here.

They're due for the annual check up in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to discuss these options with our Veterinarian and try to figure out what would work best!
There's calming chews on the market but I found some catnip spray helpful as well. I mixed the feliway spray with the catnip spray.

Personally, I don't like any diffuser staying plugged in with no one home because there's always a fire risk.

We also play some cat calming music on some devices when we leave. The cat sitter can turn it off for the night and on for the morning.
 
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