Synthetic pheromone products including Feliway are used to reduce stress in cats in a range of situations — and understanding their appropriate use is part of evidence-based cat welfare management.
Pheromone products represent a useful tool in the cat stress management toolkit, but should not be used as a substitute for addressing the causes of stress. If a cat is stressed because of inadequate resources, inter-cat conflict, or environmental changes, pheromones provide partial relief without solving the underlying problem. In combination with environmental modifications and behavioural support, they can be a valuable adjunct to reducing acute and chronic stress. Evidence-based use requires understanding what they can and cannot do, and pairing them with other welfare interventions rather than relying on them alone.