Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / July 2007
Feliway question
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jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 10 Jul 2007 05:32 GMT I've been using a Feliway diffuser for the past 5-6 weeks or so, and as I've posted before, it seems to help with the Smudge-Licky conflict, at least a bit.
But I have a question. On the box, it says one refill container will last a month. I've noticed that it doesn't last anywhere near that long. It's more like 2 or 2.5 weeks, it seems. I've just purchased my third bottle of the stuff (second refill), and I'm pretty sure it hasn't been two whole months. Wish I'd written down the original date. When I start the new bottle (the second bottle isn't quite empty), I will write it in my calendar.
But I'm curious what your experiences are with this. It should be the same, theoretically. It's not like I'm using more - I just plug it in and leave it. It should "diffuse" at the same rate as anyone else's.
Also, how often do you need to replace the diffusers?
Joyce
Takayuki - 10 Jul 2007 06:14 GMT >I've been using a Feliway diffuser for the past 5-6 weeks or so, and >as I've posted before, it seems to help with the Smudge-Licky conflict, [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > >Also, how often do you need to replace the diffusers? I just looked at one of my diffusers, which has been plugged in since 6/16, and it looks like there's a bit more than half left. I'm still skeptical about the supposed calming effect of Feliway. The only difference I noticed was that the scent seemed to make Dot suspect the presence of another cat - she used to glance suspiciously at it.
MaryL - 10 Jul 2007 11:26 GMT > I've been using a Feliway diffuser for the past 5-6 weeks or so, and > as I've posted before, it seems to help with the Smudge-Licky conflict, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Joyce It sounds to me like your diffuser may be defective. I haven't used one in quite awhile, but I don't remember any way to adjust the amount. However, mine always lasted for more than a month before I needed a refill. I assume we can keep using a diffuser as long as it is "working" -- that is, uses the refills at a normal rate -- but in your case, I would contact the seller and see if it can be exchanged.
MaryL
sheelagh - 10 Jul 2007 18:10 GMT On 10 Jul, 11:26, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote:
> <jXwXeXrXmXoX...@sonic.net> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Mary, I have never used Feliway at all. I have two questions if you wouldn't mind anwering them?
1: Does Feliway actually work? 2:How well does it work. (ie: does it calm the cat down, or release false pheromones)
I guess I should really ask you all as you have all used it?
The other thing that I noticed was the difference in price too.
Over here in the UK, to buy a diffuser & the refill part from my vet or even my pet store come to that is around ?25. that would convert into around $48ish dollars. I would call that a rather marked difference in price, wouldn't you?
(compared to the $16 that I noticed someone else in this thread mentioned)
As you know, we take in community cats where and when we can, & feed them from community bowls too, so I have often considered buying some, but the price has put me off buying it. Not knowing whether it would work or not, is a big consideration when dishing out that kind of money.
If I knew that it was a defiant certainty that it would work, I would consider trying it out on some of our more highly strung visitors..However, not knowing has put me off trying it.
Thanks for your opinions in advance Sheelagh
Sherry - 10 Jul 2007 18:15 GMT > On 10 Jul, 11:26, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 65 lines] > Thanks for your opinions in advance > Sheelagh- Hide quoted text - Sheelagh--Feliway *does* work, but IMO it is subtle. Don't expect an overnight, obvious improvement. Really, I found that it was a matter of noticing more bickering when the diffuser ran out, and I realized, wow, maybe it *was* helping. YMMV of course.
Sherry
sheelagh - 10 Jul 2007 18:52 GMT > > On 10 Jul, 11:26, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> > > wrote: [quoted text clipped - 75 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Thank you.
I am all for trying something out if it will work. I just wanted to hear It does before forking out that kind of cash I guess.
We have a tortie who had her kittens in our shed, which is fine by us. Our problem is that Lilly our Birman girl seems to have an issue with her. Tortie(called Dot whilst she is with us), comes into the house for her dinner & really has no problem at all with any of our cats..So it seems rather odd that Lilly should have an issue with her.
I was rather hoping that If I tried out feliway, that Lilly might back off a little bit & allow her to sun bath indoors when she takes the rare breaks she does, to eat dinner & have her ears rubbed of course!!
I am also wondering if it might be an idea to buy several refills of Feliway & have them shipped over here, rather than paying ?25 for each refill. Even with the shipping costs on top, it works out a lot cheaper. Only one thing holds me back from trying, & that is, I read some advice on either here, or R.C.HB that said to be careful about what products you buy on line because some of the sites are crook sites, & I don't know one from another. Any recommendations @ all?
Thanks once again, Sheelagh
MaryL - 12 Jul 2007 00:20 GMT On 10 Jul, 11:26, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote:
> <jXwXeXrXmXoX...@sonic.net> wrote in message > [quoted text clipped - 34 lines] > > - Show quoted text - Mary, I have never used Feliway at all. I have two questions if you wouldn't mind anwering them?
1: Does Feliway actually work? 2:How well does it work. (ie: does it calm the cat down, or release false pheromones)
I guess I should really ask you all as you have all used it?
The other thing that I noticed was the difference in price too.
Over here in the UK, to buy a diffuser & the refill part from my vet or even my pet store come to that is around £25. that would convert into around $48ish dollars. I would call that a rather marked difference in price, wouldn't you?
(compared to the $16 that I noticed someone else in this thread mentioned)
As you know, we take in community cats where and when we can, & feed them from community bowls too, so I have often considered buying some, but the price has put me off buying it. Not knowing whether it would work or not, is a big consideration when dishing out that kind of money.
If I knew that it was a defiant certainty that it would work, I would consider trying it out on some of our more highly strung visitors..However, not knowing has put me off trying it.
Thanks for your opinions in advance Sheelagh
Sheelagh,
It would be well worth trying. Feliway is not a cure-all, but it has a very good track record for behavior modification (that is, a calming effect). I used it when I adopted Duffy, and I could definitely see a difference. In many ways, it is as Sherry described -- you become aware if you stop using it that it was having an effect. So, the effect may be subtle, but it is valuable. I no longer need to use it, but I keep some on hand "just in case." For example, Holly became agitated after seeing another cat on one occasion and she became somewhat aggressive toward Duffy (misdirected aggression). I took Holly into the computer room with me for awhile and plugged in the Feliway. She calmed down in just a short time. Here is a study from Ohio State University that describes research on this type of product: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001129074611.htm
This site sells the diffuser for about US $24.00 (which includes one bottle of liquid Feliway), and refills are $15.99. Be sure to get regular Feliway (Comfort Zone) and *not* the type with D.A.P. because that formulation is for dogs. You would need to check on shipping costs (and possibly Customs) to the UK, of course. http://tinyurl.com/2sd4hq
Petguys.com usually has pretty good prices, too. Right now, their prices are even a little better than the source I just listed have Feliway diffusers for $23.99 and refills for $12.99. http://tinyurl.com/2ow2cz Incidentally, this site has Furminators on sale right now for considerably less than what is seen at many locations. http://www.petguys.com/ The small size (blue or purple) is the size that would normally be used for cats.
I apologize for the delay. I overlooked your question directed to me.
MaryL
jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 10 Jul 2007 19:23 GMT > It sounds to me like your diffuser may be defective. I haven't used one in > quite awhile, but I don't remember any way to adjust the amount. However, > mine always lasted for more than a month before I needed a refill. I didn't think of that. But what kind of defect would cause it to use up the liquid more quickly? I can see the opposite happening - that it wouldn't put out enough of the pheremone. (Hmm... I wonder if this means that the air in my apartment is getting a higher dose of pheremone? And if I exchange this diffuser for a functional one, will the cats be more squabbly?)
> I assume > we can keep using a diffuser as long as it is "working" -- that is, uses the > refills at a normal rate -- but in your case, I would contact the seller and > see if it can be exchanged. I just wondered how often you folks changed the diffusers. The packaging doesn't say anything about that.
The whole Feliway thing has an aura of "magic" about it. You can't see or hear or smell the thing working, so how do you know whether it is? Because the cats seem calmer? But maybe the way my cats "seem" is due simply to the power of suggestion, affecting my perception of how my cats are behaving. I wish there were a more concrete way to tell whether (1) the apparatus is working correctly, and (2) the stuff is actually working on my cats.
Meanwhile, I did find a cheaper place to buy the refills. I was buying them at Pet Food Express, at $26 per *refill*. (The diffuser, which includes the first bottle of pheremone, costs $42.) At Pet Club, the refill is $17. Big difference!!
Joyce
Mishi - 10 Jul 2007 12:00 GMT >I've been using a Feliway diffuser for the past 5-6 weeks or so, and >as I've posted before, it seems to help with the Smudge-Licky conflict, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > >Joyce Hi Joyce,
I have 2 diffusers, and the refills last me just about a month. I put the stickers that they include on the next month's date, so I don't forget. Maybe you have a bad diffuser? I would contact the company and tell them your experience, and maybe they will send you a new one. I hate the fact that there is a little bit left in the bottle, so I have been pulling the tops off and combining them into one bottle. Itis a bit of a pain to do, but if I can save money on them, I will. I just got 2 refills at PetsMart for $15.99 each - they honor their website pricing, thank goodness!
Mishi
Victor Martinez - 10 Jul 2007 12:52 GMT > Also, how often do you need to replace the diffusers? We haven't used them in a while, but they seemed to last more than one month. Are they near a fan? That would increase the speed at which the liquid evaporates.
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jXwXeXrXmXoXnXt@sonic.net - 10 Jul 2007 19:23 GMT > > Also, how often do you need to replace the diffusers?
> We haven't used them in a while, but they seemed to last more than one > month. Are they near a fan? That would increase the speed at which the > liquid evaporates. It's not near a fan, no.
Joyce
Karen - 11 Jul 2007 16:54 GMT Wierd. Mine always lasted at least 2 months.
> I've been using a Feliway diffuser for the past 5-6 weeks or so, and > as I've posted before, it seems to help with the Smudge-Licky conflict, [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Joyce
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