Viewer email question: I have two neutered male cats and will be moving in to rent a room from someone that has a female spayed cat. We are thinking about using Feliway to keep the cats calm during the transition period. I am writing to ask whether or not the Feliway diffuser is considered safe to use in a household containing a parrot, since the owner of the residence also has a 30+ year old parrot.
I think that Feliway is a good idea to introduce the cats and ensure that aspect of the move goes as smoothly as possible. I wasn't sure about the use of Feliway around the parrot, though. Since birds are well-known for their respiratory problems and the Feliway diffuser is a plug-in that diffuses into the air, I thought I would investigate further.
I phoned Farnam, the manufacturer of Feliway, and was told a few things about the use of Feliway in general, and in a bird household in particular. I am awaiting more information, but here is some preliminary information.
Tips for using Feliway, from my conversation with Farnam
- The general rule of thumb is that if a bird can "handle" wax-based non-scented candles OK, there shouldn't be a problem. The Feliway diffuser is a wax-based paraffin oil, similar to a candle, and it is odorless.
- Feliway is species-specific, so birds and humans do not "recognize" the pheromone nor are they affected by it.
- One diffusers lasts roughly 30 days. They recommend 60-90 days of use to affect feline behavior.
- One diffuser treats 650 square feet of living space. In this case, where a bird is present who may be sensitive, the Farnam representative recommended housing the parrot in a room without a diffuser to be safe. This would negate the "treat the whole house" recommendation for cat behavior modification, but strikes a balance between the health of the bird living and the use of Feliway for the cats.
- Farnam offers a 100% money-back guarantee of this product when used as directed.
I have requested any studies that Farnam has relating to this question, as well as human (specifically child) and safety issues for other pets such as birds. I will update this FAQ as that information becomes available. You can also contact Farnam directly with questions or comments about their products.
Related Reading
Comfort Zone® with Feliway®
Product information for cats and information on the dog version, Comfort Zone® with D.A.P.® for Dogs
What is D.A.P.™ for Dogs?
Canine Behavior Spotlight
Photo credit: Friendship - Cat and Parrot © FLORA1 on Flickr
