Would feliway help?

[CrazyKitkatLady]

Hi, wondering if any of you have used feliway or can suggest options. Sorry this is really long.

I have 2 cats, brother and sister, 2 years old, both neutered. Had them both from kittens.

Boy cat has been getting increasingly unpredictable. This evening I was brushing him (he’s long haired and usually likes the brush) and he sat on my lap after for a few mins and I was stroking him (not constantly but maybe 30 secs in every minute) when out of nowhere he leaped up and claws me in the face.

He has form for this but seems to be getting worse / less tolerant. He used to sit on our laps fairly regularly but hasn’t done that really for the last 4 months or so.

He fights with his sister and I think they’re equally responsible for starting it but he usually wins as he’s a fair bit bigger. The girl cat is hardly ever bitey or scratchy with us. Only if we’re playing and she misses the toy/ gets us by mistake.

There are quite a few cats in our area and I’ve seen the boy cat chase off the neighbours cats from the garden but because he’s so fluffy I worry if he got hurt fighting we wouldn’t be able to tell as he’s so grumpy anyway (especially towards his back end)

I know he must be upset / stressed about something and this is his only way to communicate it but I’m finding it really difficult to deal with him randomly lashing out.

On top of this I’m pregnant and now starting to worry even more about how he’ll cope with a baby in the house (Not so much that he’ll hurt the baby as I wouldn’t leave him unsupervised bit more that it’ll be another thing to upset him and stress him out)

I just want a happy cat! Had anyone had similar behaviour and got any tips for me? The only thing I can think of is to get one of those feliway diffusers but don’t know if they actually work?

Sorry this is probably really rambling but I’m so upset that he’s upset!

Don't know about that particular situation but one of ours really didn't like the new baby. Started peeing all over the house which really wasn't like her. Got 2 feliways and within a week she stopped completely and is even mildly interested in DS. So they definitely can work.

Thank you for replying, it’s really reassuring to know they can work! I think I’ll get one to try and see if it helps him.
He’s sat on the end of the bed now looking sweet as pie but I want him to be as happy as possible before the baby arrives.

Hi CrazyKitkatLady!

I'm no expert but have had many cats over the years and it does sound to me like your cat is stressed, although I couldn't begin to guess why so first and foremost I would speak to your vet.

Maybe your boy knows you're pregnant/senses something is different or perhaps it is some other external factor, such as a new cat in the neighbourhood.

Or perhaps he has an injury... My current boy cat once had a pleural effusion (severe infection and fluid on the lungs) and very nearly died. It was probably caused by a scrap with another cat but it wasn't obvious until he was very poorly because the claw mark in his side that caused it was all but invisible. The first signs he was ill was him urinating in the house and generally being grumpy. Then he didn't like being stroked whereas he's always liked it before. All obvious signs of stress but the cause being a physical condition.

I would anticipate some changes when your new baby arrives though. When I had my first baby, my female cat at the time got very upset and urinated in the house when she literally never had before so if this is your first baby, you might well get some unexpected behaviours from them when the baby arrives.

I think that Feliway can help with all of these sort of problems but the thing that has helped most with all of my cats over the years, more than anything else, is Zylkene. It comes in a capsule and you can sprinkle it on their food and it just seems to make them really chilled out. I haven't needed it for a while but I'm pretty sure you can buy it without a prescription. I think it can be used for dogs too, particularly on bonfire night and when they are going in to kennels/cattery.

Still, I would speak to your vet first, especially if you are at all unsure.

Best wishes to you and your feline family!

I've had success with Feliway when introducing new cats/dog to existing cats. It's not a magic cure but it definitely seems to calm them and make them more confident.

Make sure you spend quality time with him, just the two of you.

Cats do pick up on their humans' anxiety, so make sure you take time to de-stress yourself as well - long soothing baths, your favourite food, calming mood music - your cats will benefit from whatever makes you relaxed.

I’d up his play as well, give him some exercise and mental stimulation.

I've been using the plug in feliway for months and in my experience they've worked a charm! Had both sisters for 7 years now. In the months leading up to my daughter arriving, one of my cats started peeing around the house and didn't use the tray much (both indoor cats). After mentioning to the vet during a checkup, they said it was more likely due to everything going on and sensing change. The slightest change can throw them off and make them anxious.

They were both super clingy with me and often became jealous when one had my attention and the other didn't. Started using feliway to try and solve the problem before baby came. Got them plenty of toys, small scratching posts, multiple litter trays and made sure they had safe places in the house they could go to when feeling stressed (a favourite of theirs is under our bed and on my computer chair pushed under the desk). Within a day or 2 they both became calmer with each other and in general.

Took them a few days to brave having a good nosey at my daughter, but 12 weeks later we've refilled the plugs and kept them going. Both cats act the way they usually did before all the change and don't seem to be a worry. All cats are different but It's worth trying out at least. I hope it all works out for you!

Thanks everyone, that’s really helpful!