Changes

==F3==

==F3==

[http://www.feliway.com Feliway] is a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of the feline facial marking pheromone. It may 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 multicast households. It is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. F3 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>.

[http://www.feliway.com Feliway] is a synthetic analogue of the F3 fraction of the feline facial marking pheromone. It may 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. It is thought to provide a sense of reassurance for cats in new or stressful circumstances. F3 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>. In a recent meta-analysis of treatments for feline urine spray marking in the home, Feliway was found to produce a 90% reduction in spraying but only after a 4 week period<ref>Mills, D.S., Redgate, S.E., Landsberg, G.M. (2011) A Meta-Analysis of Studies of Treatments for Feline Urine Spraying. PlosOne. 6(4), 1-10.</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>. In a recent meta-analysis of treatments for feline urine spray marking in the home, Feliway was found to produce a 90% reduction in spraying after a 4 week period<ref>Mills, D.S., Redgate, S.E., Landsberg, G.M. (2011) A Meta-Analysis of Studies of Treatments for Feline Urine Spraying. PlosOne. 6(4), 1-10.</ref>.

====Usage====

====Usage====

'''F3 diffusers''' must be used at a rate of 1 per 50-70m², in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. They should be left switched on at all times and must not be moved from room to room. Diffusers should be installed strategically, one in each of the locations where individual cats or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] of cats spend time. Installing a single diffuser in a hallway between rooms will not generally produce an effect in the rooms. The refill should be replaced every 28 days.

'''F3 diffusers''' must be used at a rate of 1 per 50-70m², in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. They should be left switched on at all times and must not be moved from room to room. Diffusers should be installed strategically, one in each of the locations where individual cats or [[Feline Social Behaviour#Social Structure|factions]] of cats spend time. Installing a single diffuser in a hallway between rooms will not generally produce an effect in the rooms. The refill should be replaced every 28 days.

When F3 diffusers are first installed the cats should be kept away from the diffuser for the first 1-2 hours to prevent them from spraying onto the diffuser. Manufactured from plastic, the diffusers will initially release a combination of smells that some cats may find objectionable. If a diffuser becomes contaminated with urine it should be thoroughly cleaned, otherwise it will release urine odours along with the F3. Some diffusers may need to be thrown away if this occurs. If a cat is repeatedly urine marking on the diffuser it should be moved to a higher location where the cat cannot reach it if possible.

When F3 diffusers are first installed the cats should be kept away from the diffuser for the first 1-2 hours to prevent them from potentially spraying onto the diffuser in reaction to this new object. If a diffuser becomes contaminated with urine it should be thoroughly cleaned, otherwise it will release urine odours along with the F3. Some diffusers may need to be thrown away if this occurs. If a cat is repeatedly urine marking on the diffuser it should be moved to a higher location where the cat cannot reach it if possible.

'''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 interdigital pheromones applied during scratching. An alternative scratching post should be provided nearby.

==F4==

==F4==