− | The pheromone F3 ([http://www.feliway.com Feliway]) is a synthetic analogue of pheromones from feline cheek glands, known as the ‘familiarisation pheromone’. It can be used to reduce general anxiety in stressful situations<ref>C.A. Griffith, E.S. Steigerwald, C.A.T. Buffington. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217 (2000), pp. 1154–1156</ref><ref>Y. Kakuma, J. Bradshaw. Effects of a feline facial pheromone analogue on stress in shelter cats: Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine. British Columbia, Vancouver (2001), pp. 218–220</ref> (such as moving house, transport, presence of other animals) so that the home or environment is less threatening. It has been particularly beneficial in cases of mild-moderate cat to cat aggression within the same household<ref>Heath, S. Feline aggression. In: Horwitz D., Mills, D., Heath, S. editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 1st edition. Gloucester (UK) : BSAVA; 2002. p. 216-28.</ref> and in supporting cohabitation and alleviating tension in multicat households and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. F3 pheromone can also be used to help control urine spraying in the home by cats <ref>Mills, D.S., Mills C.B. Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. Veterinary Record 2001;149:197-199 doi:10.1136/vr.149.7.197</ref><ref>W. Hunthausen. Evaluating a feline facial pheromone analogue to control urine spraying.Vet Med, 95 (2000), pp. 151–155</ref><ref>D.F. Frank, H.N. Erb, K.A. Houpt. Urine spraying in cats: presence of concurrent disease and effects of a pheromone treatment. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 61 (1999), pp. 263–272</ref>. | + | The F3 ([http://www.feliway.com Feliway]) is a synthetic analogue of pheromones from feline cheek glands, known as the ‘familiarisation pheromone’. It can be used to reduce general anxiety in stressful situations<ref>C.A. Griffith, E.S. Steigerwald, C.A.T. Buffington. Effects of a synthetic facial pheromone on behavior of cats. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 217 (2000), pp. 1154–1156</ref><ref>Y. Kakuma, J. Bradshaw. Effects of a feline facial pheromone analogue on stress in shelter cats: Proceedings of the 3rd International Congress on Veterinary Behavioural Medicine. British Columbia, Vancouver (2001), pp. 218–220</ref> (such as moving house, transport, presence of other animals) so that the home or environment is less threatening. It has been particularly beneficial in cases of mild-moderate cat to cat aggression within the same household<ref>Heath, S. Feline aggression. In: Horwitz D., Mills, D., Heath, S. editors. BSAVA manual of canine and feline behavioural medicine. 1st edition. Gloucester (UK) : BSAVA; 2002. p. 216-28.</ref> and in supporting cohabitation and alleviating tension in multicat households and is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. F3 pheromone can also be used to help control urine spraying in the home by cats <ref>Mills, D.S., Mills C.B. Evaluation of a novel method for delivering a synthetic analogue of feline facial pheromone to control urine spraying by cats. Veterinary Record 2001;149:197-199 doi:10.1136/vr.149.7.197</ref><ref>W. Hunthausen. Evaluating a feline facial pheromone analogue to control urine spraying.Vet Med, 95 (2000), pp. 151–155</ref><ref>D.F. Frank, H.N. Erb, K.A. Houpt. Urine spraying in cats: presence of concurrent disease and effects of a pheromone treatment. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 61 (1999), pp. 263–272</ref>. |
| The use of F3 diffusers (Feliway) can simulate the effect of dense facial and flank marking within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them, usually a behaviour carried out when the cat feels relaxed in their environment<ref>P. Pageat, E. Gaultier. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am (Small Anim Pract), 33 (2003), pp. 187–211</ref> | | The use of F3 diffusers (Feliway) can simulate the effect of dense facial and flank marking within an environment, whilst the cats re-establish their own marks and exchange odours that identify them, usually a behaviour carried out when the cat feels relaxed in their environment<ref>P. Pageat, E. Gaultier. Current research in canine and feline pheromones. Vet Clin N Am (Small Anim Pract), 33 (2003), pp. 187–211</ref> |
| '''F3 spray''' can be used to spot mark new objects that are brought into the house (clothing, bags, new furniture). F3 spray can also be used as a deterrent for scratch marking in the home: one squirt is applied daily to the claw marking location after cleaning to remove the pheromones applied during scratching. An alternative scratching post should be provided nearby. | | '''F3 spray''' can be used to spot mark new objects that are brought into the house (clothing, bags, new furniture). F3 spray can also be used as a deterrent for scratch marking in the home: one squirt is applied daily to the claw marking location after cleaning to remove the pheromones applied during scratching. An alternative scratching post should be provided nearby. |