Full Review: Feliway Comfort Zone
Anyone who has survived the experience can testify that the challenge of dealing with territorial marking (urine spraying) by an unhappy cat is frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking. This type of behavior often results in abandonment or surrendering the offending cat to a shelter. The Feliway Comfort Zone Spray was developed by Farnam, inc. in the mid 1990s to help combat that specific behavior. Since then, the Feliway Comfort Zone Plug-in has been found valuable in combatting a number of behavioral problems in cats.
I am currently using a "dual bullet" approach by using both products to help an ongoing battle of the sexes between my alpha cat Jaspurr and little Jenny, my stray-turned-housemate calico girl, who shares my bedroom with me. Be sure to read my full review for the latest information on this stand-off.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of PriceGrabber
Other Helpful Reading
Cat Training
Aggression Between Cats
Urine Spraying Success Story
Comments
My favorite experience with this product was with Mr. Kitty, one of the clinic cats at the animal hospital I managed for eight years. He was a bit of a grumpy character, and this often manifested in him staking his claim to the top of my desk and not budging, no matter what I tried. In fact, he would attack me each time I tried to move him off the desk. It got to be a bit disruptive to getting any work done, to say the least.
I finally decided to try the Feliway plug-in, and the change in Mr. Kitty was almost instantaneous. He mellowed out, a lot, to the point where he now choose to sleep on top of the copy machine. Okay, so nobody was able to make copies without disturbing his nap…
Seriously, though - the Feliway really worked. We also used the spray to spray the inside of the cat cages in the animal hospital and it seemed to help some to make things less stressful for the cats who had to stay there.
I bought the Feliway dispenser for the shelter where I work. We use it for semi-feral, abuse cases, markers and those with conditions (like skin issues) that make the cat uncomfortable. While I can’t scientifically say it is effective, I can say I notice that in all cases (so far) the cats seem calmer and the undesirable behaviors decrease. We have been very successful with some of our ferals, to the point where new owners rave about their cats. We think enough of it to have bought 2 extra dispensers.
It doesn’t work. My female cat continued to urinate/spray near the device and in fact spray ON IT! I tried to contact the company but they never responded. Don’t buy it, waste of money.
Any inappropriate urinating, etc. should always be checked out medically FIRST, before simply plugging in a diffuser. It may help in some stressful situations, but there are other factors to consider.
I have a cattery, and have found the Feliway products pretty much useless.
I have five cats and absolutely love this product. Especially when introducing a new kitten into the mix! I use two: one near the food/water and another downstairs where the windows that they love to birdie watch from. I also use the spray when I take to vet - one spritz on a towel inside the carrier and it helps kitty stay calm. I also use the plug-ins when their is construction in the area, fireworks, etc.
It has helped my kitties remain calm and not spray. Of course, making certain the litter is clean and boxes available is also helpful.
I had one friend tell me it didn’t work for her cat. Later after much trial and error on the human part, she realized the kitty was spraying mainly from lack of attention. (My first suggestion after getting kitty checked for medical issues.)
Thanks to everyone who has posted comments. It would be very helpful to other readers if you would take the time to write them up in a guest review, whether they are good, bad, or indifferent.
Ev: Your comment about eliminating medical causes is well taken. However, I also covered that in two of the associated reading links. My review is simply that - a review.