Feliway

[Phoenix]

I've introduced the feliway diffuser to Dylan this afternoon but Dylan doesn't seem to like it :(

He sniffed it, glared at it then promptly sprayed opposite it then stalked off :(

How long does it take to start to work and how do I persuade Dylan it's OK? :? :( (don't want to lose him, think some of the family's starting to get fed up with Dylan's spraying:( )

[angieh]

Oh no RCR - I'm very sorry to hear that.

I understand that it does take a while for Feliway to work to de-stress. There's a spray too now I think. I've never used it, so can't comment. I have used the Bach Rescue Remedy, both for Merlin and for myself! I used to put a couple of drops on my fingers and gently rub them into his ears. Not really sure if it helped him, but I'll swear they helped me.

Have you discussed Dylan's spraying with his vet?

[Phoenix]

Oh no RCR - I'm very sorry to hear that.

I understand that it does take a while for Feliway to work to de-stress. There's a spray too now I think. I've never used it, so can't comment. I have used the Bach Rescue Remedy, both for Merlin and for myself! I used to put a couple of drops on my fingers and gently rub them into his ears. Not really sure if it helped him, but I'll swear they helped me.

Have you discussed Dylan's spraying with his vet?

No, thought it was behaviour related (still think it is)

Do you think I should mention it when I take him in again? Is there any other stuff I could use alongside feliway?

[angieh]

Well, it is behaviour related and whether the vet could help would depend on whether he or she has professional interest in behavioural issues ............ some vets do.

I'll have a look in Dr Fox's book.

[Phoenix]

Well, it is behaviour related and whether the vet could help would depend on whether he or she has professional interest in behavioural issues ............ some vets do.

I'll have a look in Dr Fox's book.

Thanks angie :)

[Shelley123]

Sorry to hear about Dylans spraying. Tom sprayed for years but finaly it seems to have stopped probably over a year ago now. I'm afraid i can't tell you why he's stopped but i sure am glad. There were occasions when he has backed up to us and sprayed usualy when we had just put clean clothes on. He also used to jump onto the work tops and spray the clean pots in the drainer (how disgusting is that!!!!)
Hope someone comes up with a solution for you soon

[dandysmom]

I think it's probably stress related; didn't he have a dispute with a black and white cat recently, and Poppet has been in his house. Dylan seems to be a very territorial boy and I suspect he's diligently trying to mark everything "Mine"!!" "Keep Off!".

Give the Feliway a chance to work, and it wouldn't hurt to give Angie's Rescue Remedy a try ...

[Phoenix]

Today he's done something he's never done before, started spraying downstairs as well :( He sprayed on the feliway diffuser and downstairs :( :?

Which rescue remedy would be best for Dylan angie?

[angieh]

As you know Dylan best RCR, I would have a look at this link and make your own selection. You can combine several - but the issue of control/dominance seems to be helped by the Vine essence. Good luck. I used the straightforward Rescue Remedy which is readily available at most chemist shops. I'd be really interested to know if you go ahead what you select and, more importantly perhaps, if it helps.

http://www.bach-flowers.co.uk/bach_flower_remedies.asp

[Elaine]

ANXIETY / STRESS RELATED

If a health issue or problems with the litter tray can be ruled out, then you need to consider that the problem could be anxiety-related.
Spraying - when & where?
Is the cat is spraying in one area or several? If the cat has chosen one spot, he may be submissively trying to mark a little territory. Does the spraying occur after an encounter with another cat? It could be hidden aggression.
A change in the cat's environment?
Has there been a change in the household? Any intrusion on the cat's territory, whether human, animal, or even a new piece of furniture or decoration can cause a cat to feel threatened, insecure, and stressed. The more cats in the household, the more likely that one or more of them might develop toilet and spraying problems.
Clean the soiled areas thoroughly and if possible confine the cat in a smaller area until he starts using the litter tray again. The confinement room should be warm and comfortable and equipped with litter-trays, fresh food and water (not near the litter-trays!) and a bed and toys. You should also make sure you visit and interact with the cat regularly so that he doesn't feel 'punished'. This should take no more than a few days, maybe less, and then he can be re-introduced to the rest of the house.
Feeling threatened by other cats / dogs
Cats are at their most vulnerable when they are toileting outside and therefore they may feel threatened by another cat, or dog, or even by any loud noises in the environment such as road works. They may then choose to toilet indoors, even if no litter tray has been provided. Providing a discreetly placed litter tray indoors should take away the feelings of anxiety and encourage him to use this more suitable place. If you wish to then encourage your cat to toilet outside again, one good idea is to designate a specific place in your garden for this purpose. Choose an area of soil quite close to the house (so that he can retreat to the house quickly if he feels under threat) in a quiet corner of the garden. Rake the soil over and and mix in a good proportion of peat or sand or paper-based or wood-based litter.
Reassure your cat
Help your cat feel comfortable in his home territory. Play games with him and talk to him frequently in a low and reassuring voice. Give him positive attention and affection and reward him when he uses the litter tray. A confident, secure, and relaxed cat does not need to relieve anxiety and stress by such extreme measures as urine or faecal marking and spraying.
The use of remedial products may also be considered such as Feliway, or Bach Flower Remedies (see under Remedial Products below).

Remedial Products
Feliway, spray (use it to spray on the areas daily) or diffusers in the room(s) can help with the problem but cannot be guaranteed to work with all cats. Bach Flower Remedies are often recommended, they can have an almost immediate effect on pets with no side effects, and can help with many behavioural problems.A combination of Cherry Plum (for the inability to control unwanted behaviour) and Chestnut Bud (for failing to learn from mistakes) has been successful in many cases although other remedies might be required for individual cases.

Specialist help
In some cases the problem is more complex than that outlined above, in which case we would advise that you discuss the situation with your veterinary surgeon initially. Occasionally, extreme behavioural problems can be treated with medication but drugs are always best used together with behaviour therapy, and not as a sole solution. Your vet will be able to refer you to a specialist in feline behaviour in your area.

Links
The Feline Advisory Bureau: www.fabcats.org/behaviour/spraying
(http://www.fabcats.org/behaviour/spraying/info.html)Feliway spray and diffuser: www.feliway.uk.com (http://www.feliway.uk.com)

Hope some of that helps xxx

[Elaine]

http://www.vetscriptions.co.uk/Cat_Behaviour_Anxiety.html

[Phoenix]

It tends to be upstairs that Dylan sprays Elaine, I'm certain it's down to a black and white bully cat that's started hanging round a lot :roll: although since installing the feliway Dylan's started spraying downstairs as well, plus on the feliway diffuser and directly opposite it.

Or it's the black longhair cat, again Dylan doesn't like that one. It's definately not due to Poppet, Dylan loves her.

Thanks for all the info Elaine, I'll see if anything there helps :D

[Phoenix]

The update of all this is that yesterday Dylan didn't spray, this afternoon he sprayed against the bookshelf and I've got some stuff from the link that you sent me angie so I'll be trying him with that tonight.

[angieh]

I do hope it works RCR - probably won't work immediately though. I am a great believer in homoeopathic remedies for animals.

[dandysmom]

Fingers crossed it'll help, RCR!

[Phoenix]

Although yesterday Dylan was using my hand as a pillow :lol:

[Phoenix]

I think it is working already angie :-D

Put some in his drink last night and so far there's been no spraying :-D

[angieh]

Let's hope the improvement continues - one day isn't long!

[Phoenix]

Dylan's sprayed again - he went all day without spraying but this evening he suddenly sprayed on the chair he usually sits on :(

One moment he was rolling about on the floor loving having his tummy rubbed next he'd got up and sprayed :? :(

[dandysmom]

Hang in there, maybe it will take while to be effective .....

[Phoenix]

Dylan didn't spray again until yesterday, think it was because of the snow that he sprayed this time (he doesn't like snow)

[calismum]

That's quite a while he's not done it for. Are you still using the natural remedy? Perhaps that's beginning to work?

[Phoenix]

That's quite a while he's not done it for. Are you still using the natural remedy? Perhaps that's beginning to work?

The feliway is still plugged in upstairs and I'm still putting the rescue remedy in his water :D

(Don't think it's the feliway, he glares at it like he's saying it's poisoning him by it's presence :roll: )

[Manyana13]

I started using Feliway about 12 days ago - not because of behavioural issues, but because we are introducing our puppy to the house this weekend and have one cat that is going to be quite stressed by this. When I plugged it in, all 3 of my cats took a strange disklike to it. I thought it wasn't working, but over the last few days I have noticed a marked difference in all 3 my cats. They are so chilled out and even more loving than normal. So it does take time to work. Its a very noticable difference. Hope he comes right soon. :-)

[Phoenix]

I started using Feliway about 12 days ago - not because of behavioural issues, but because we are introducing our puppy to the house this weekend and have one cat that is going to be quite stressed by this. When I plugged it in, all 3 of my cats took a strange disklike to it. I thought it wasn't working, but over the last few days I have noticed a marked difference in all 3 my cats. They are so chilled out and even more loving than normal. So it does take time to work. Its a very noticable difference. Hope he comes right soon. :-)

We ended up giving it to the rescue because Dylan wasn't happy with it in the house (it made him worse than before we got it - spraying wise:roll: )

[Manyana13]

Strange how it made him worse... hope hes ok now.

oh..sorry I only just realised that you posted this ages ago!! Forgive me... im new! ;-)

[Phoenix]

Strange how it made him worse... hope hes ok now.

oh..sorry I only just realised that you posted this ages ago!! Forgive me... im new! ;-)

That's OK :lol: we were all new at some point :lol: ;)