Cats are very sensitive animals and any change, like introducing a new pet to the household, a stray cat hanging around the property, shifting the furniture, or a change of environment, can make them feel anxious.

Try using the ‘cotton wool trick’ first: gently rub some cotton wool over your cat’s chin and cheek glands. This way, the cat’s facial pheromone, which helps making it feel at ease, is released on the cotton wool and if you then rub it in its environment, for example around its food bowl, on its favourite blanket or sofa, or inside the cat carrier, it will help him to relax. The scent will linger for about 5 days. You can also get a piece of cloth, like a handkerchief, rub it on your cats face, and then place it under its food bowl: it will feel more relaxed when its eating.

There is a synthetic version of the natural feline pheromone on the market called ‘Feliway’: it comes in a spray bottle or in a diffuser, which you plug in.

• Cats naturally use facial pheromones to mark their environment as familiar and comforting.

• Feliway mimics the feline facial pheromone, creating a state of well-being and comfort.

• Feliway is proven to help reduce or prevent stress in cats by providing a sense of security and
  well-being.

One vial in the diffuser lasts about 4 weeks, covering an area of 50-70 m². Feliway mimics the facial pheromones produced by cats, resulting in an emotional calming, which reduces your cat’s impulse to mark its territory (scratching or spraying). Treatment needs to be continued for 30 days, by which time markings will cease. If they haven’t, continue with treatment every 2-3 days thereafter.

At Cat Hotel Stoney Creek we use the Feliway spray each morning after our cleaning routine: a few sprays around each room. For new cats we spray some Feliway on the bedding in their unit to help them settle in.

Feliway has a wonderful website with lots of information about cat behaviour, tips and tricks and videos.

Link:

https://www.feliway.com/nz