Wednesday, April 25, 2018

7 Tips to Kitty Bliss - De-Stress Your Pet Giveaway

WAFFLES:  Hey Boss, do I stress you out?

KATIE:  Only when we're in the same room, Waffles. 

WAFFLES:  How about in the same window sill? 


This post is sponsored by FELIWAY®

Our friends and readers who have been with us over the years are no strangers to Katie and Waffles' often complicated relationship. They've come a long way since way back in 2012 when a spirited orange kitten named Waffles moved into the family, much to Katie's chagrin, and started taking our blog by storm. 

We like to think we have a very peaceful and calm home. And for the most part, we do. But even still, stress is no stranger to us. We've heard from many of you who have experienced the same. Stress can sneak its way into your home in the most subtle of ways. It's not all sunshine, rainbows and catnip. Especially for cats. 

That includes Katie and Waffles. 

What some cat parents don't realize is that many unwanted behaviors can actually be a cat's natural reaction to stress. Things like fighting at food time or inappropriate scratching are just a couple examples of behaviors commonly linked to stress. Not knowing what to do about it makes it even more stressful for pets and their humans.


April is De-Stress Your Pet Month
We're helping our friends at FELIWAY®  share some very simple tips on how to create a peaceful and calm home for your and your cats. Our 7 Tips to Kitty Bliss can absolutely help to improve and maintain the well being and happiness of your furry family members in ways that are incredibly easy to incorporate into your daily lives.


7 Tips to Kitty Bliss 
1. Mitts Off My Dish!
If there's ever a time for stress to enter center stage, it's mealtime. At least that's how it is for us. Maintaining individual food and water locations can help reduce that mealtime animosity. Not only do Katie and Waffles have their own food dishes and watering stations, we make sure they can't see each other when eating. Their food dishes are positioned on opposite sides of the kitchen island so that neither of them feel the need to look over their shoulders.



2. Food, Glorious Food
It's truly remarkable what a game changer a good diet can be. As obligate carnivores, cats nutritional needs are not only very specific to their species, but crucial for them to thrive and survive. As we've transitioned Waffles and Katie to a protein rich diet, we've noticed they're so much more satisfied. In fact, they rarely beg for food or treats anymore. Eating a healthy and protein rich diet is something we believe contributes to their overall well being and longevity.



3. Serenity Now
Sometimes Katie and Waffles love to get away from it all. It's important for any cat to have a place they can retreat to where they feel comfortable and safe. We keep their cozy carriers in a large walk-in closet. It's quiet, private and given it's the warmest room in the hose, it's the perfect spot for napping, sleeping and safely hiding out when the plumber is here or houseguests have arrived.

Keeping their carriers open and accessible also helps to define them as more than just a means of transport to the vet. Katie and Waffles are so comfortable in theirs in fact, they sleep in them just about every night. 



4. He Must Work Out
By now Glogirly is thinking these tips aren't just appropriate for cats. Good food, her own dish, a comfy bed, and exercise. Let's hope she's paying attention!

We've lost count of how many times we've been told by vets and behaviorists that play is often the answer to any number of unwanted behaviors. Animosity between cats and destructive behavior can be curtailed quickly with just a little daily playtime. Tiring them out both physically and mentally is key. Play helps tap into their instinctual behaviors to hunt and stalk. Not only will this help to cut down on that unwanted behavior, it will also help to strengthen the human-cat bond. 



5. Puzzle Power
Cats, especially Waffles, aren't necessarily the best at multitasking. Food puzzles keep them busy and occupied. 

6. Chopin for Cats
Glogirly often has music playing throughout the house. She's found it to be a soothing alternative to the overabundance of news on TV. And whenever she leaves the house, she always puts on classical music for Katie and Waffles. The sound can make them feel less alone and can also mask scary sounds like planes, trains, and automobiles. 

7. Scratch, Scratch, Scratch
Cats need to scratch. It's instinctual. Most cat parents don't want this kind of instinctual attention paid to their sofas and chairs though. Scolding them for scratching the furniture and not providing an appropriate alternative can cause stress for cats and their humans. We keep some kind of scratching post in every room of the house. 


FELIWAY®-Another Secret Weapon for Stress
In addition to these simple tips, FELIWAY® products can further help bring a sense of calm to your furry family and alleviate many stress-related behaviors. We use their products all the time. In the house, in the car, even our vet uses them in her clinic. 


How Does It Work?
Cats communicate through natural messages released in the air called pheromones. These pheromones give them a sense of safety and belonging.

FELIWAY® mimics three naturally occurring feline pheromones, or "messages."

Happy Messages
You've probably seen your cat rub their face against corners, furniture and even you. As they mark their territory, they leave an odorless message called a Feline Facial Pheromone. These happy messages provide comfort and security. 

Harmony Messages
Momma cats communicate with their kittens through natural messages released into the air. These Cat Appeasing Pheromones help to maintain harmony and social bonds between cats of all ages.

Territory Messages
As you might expect, this is how cats communicate with each other. For example, when they scratch an object in their space, they leave both visible (like scratch marks) and invisible Territory Messages that indicate this is mine


Pick-Your-Own Giveaway!
We're celebrating De-Stress Your Pet Month with a special GIVEAWAY!
Since we love and use all of their products, we're giving three lucky winners a FELIWAY® product of their choice.

Enter via Rafflecopter to win your choice of any one FELIWAY® product:
  • FELIWAY® MultiCat Diffuser
  • FELIWAY® Diffuser
  • FELIWAY® Spray
  • FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY®
Though prizes can only ship to US addresses, we're opening the giveaway up to our readers worldwide so that if anyone outside the US wins, they can gift their prize to a friend or shelter here in the US.

Good luck, everyone...and thanks for entering!


To learn more, visit www.de-stressyourpet.com. FELIWAY® is available at your veterinary hospital, PetSmart or local pet retailer.

FTC Disclosure: This post and giveaway is sponsored by FELIWAY®, which means that we were paid to create and feature this content. Regardless of the payment received, we only feature products and services we use and/or feel would be relevant to our readers. 

47 comments:

  1. I haven't tried the diffuser yet for my guys, but I'm thinking I should!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you've got any *complicated* relationships like ours, you'd probably really like it! ; )

      Delete
  2. We have 7 cats and it's been stressful lately. First time ever. One cat is aging and on Rx diet, another one is ill and separate Rx diet and two fosters are not accepted by her Diva Highness, my tortie. There are constant fights, accidents, etc. Really need ideas to restore harmony and balance in the home. Therefore we really could use the MultiCat Diffuser! Here's hoping...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We keep one in the kitchen, but not super close to the food dishes. Ours is a MultiCat Diffuser. Paws crossed for you!

      Delete
  3. While all their products sound great, I think we're really in need of their FELIWAY® MultiCat Diffuser right now. Daughters #1 and #3 have been out of the house for a while, but daughter #2's boyfriend took a new job (in Chicago, which means he got an apartment close to where we live). So, daughter #2 is moving in with him. The boyfriend has two cats, who have been moved to new apartments twice in the past six months (stressful for them). Then there's my daughter's cat, Arata, who has yet to meet them, but will be moving in there, too. Arata has been here for over four years with some stress when we've adopted a new cat or dog, but NEVER had to change where he lived. The boyfriend's cats are actually sisters and have been with each other since birth (the rescue took in the pregnant mama), so we're not sure just how the cats are going to get along. At first, Arata might be going back and forth - staying at the apartment mostly from Thursday to Sunday, since my daughter works outside the house the other three days. She can do her work from home the other days, so she'd be there with Arata. While in some ways, the back-and-forth between the apartment and our house might add some stress on its own, until we know how the cats will get along it'll be a case of day by day. I have a diffuser at our house but would love one for my daughter to use at the apartment, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The MultiCat definitely works for us. When we travel, we bring one along too. So having one for your daughter is a great idea!

      Delete
  4. We think the diffuser might be a good idea here too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've been looking into the multi cat diffuser for my 3 cats. Since bringing in our most recent rescue they haven't been getting along so I would really love to try the multi cat!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It definitely takes time when introducing a new kitty into the family. We think the diffusers really help make a difference. Paws crossed for you! Thanks for entering. : )

      Delete
  6. These are all great tips! Although, well, no classical music here with an 80s-era rock musician and an alt-rock girl!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HAHA! Had a feeling Chopin wasn't on your playlist!

      Delete
  7. We have two cats and a dog who do not get along. Feliway has helped.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have one running for Eli. I can tell when it runs out because he becomes a little stressball again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We've noticed a difference too when they run empty!

      Delete
  9. Multi Cat Feliway would be great! My Gracie (who looks like your Katie!) just would rather my two other cats existed only in our minds! The Multi Cat diffuser would be good for her stress levels.....maybe help her finally (after 8 and 3 years) accept her siblings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HAHA! Sounds like your Gracie and our Katie have more in common than their Coco Chanel looks!

      Delete
  10. Oh yeah, I put Heather as my blog comment name on the raffle entry!

    ReplyDelete
  11. We think Feliway products are great!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I'd love to try either Multi Cat (I have eight cats!) or the FeliScratch, because I just got a new sofa last month and it's already rapidly becoming the cats' new scratching post. -.-

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Eight cats! Wowee! You've got your paws full! We think you'd like either one. Another thing that can be helpful, depending on what your sofa is upholstered in, is lightly spraying the FELIWAY Spray on the areas of the sofa that the cats are currently scratching. And then making sure you've got good scratching post positioned close by. Don't spray ON the post though! Only where you want to deter them from scratching. That can work nicely in conjunction with the Feliscratch.

      Delete
    2. Great tips! They have so many scratching options, but I think they're thinking "THIS one is HUUUUGE!" ;)

      Delete
  13. Great post! However, Feliway products have never worked for us at Eastside Cats. We tried diffusers, sprays, wiping cloths… No difference in cat Behavior. It's somewhat disheartening, but what can you do?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, that's a bummer! We know not every cat will respond in the same way. We hope some of the other tips can help. : )

      Delete
  14. I would love to win for my grandcat Rugby, who is moving to a new house next month. His mommy already has Felispray, for the long scary car ride, and two Feliway diffusers to make the new house seem like home. Now, all he needs is for me to win him the Feliscratch.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Moving is scary for kitties! Humans too! Sounds like you've got Rugby covered! I bet the Feliscratch would be helpful. When we moved last year, both Katie and Waffles seemed to amp up their scratching.

      Delete
  15. Replies
    1. We sure do! You guys are like the FELIWAY poster kitties! LOL!

      Delete
  16. I am blissed out, the only time I see Feliway is when I get to the vet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We're super impressed! Even in those years before Waffles came on the scene, we used the diffusers for Katie. She's always been a little jittery and stressed. How awesome that you can go with the flow!

      Delete
  17. Lexy and I get along pretty well - most of the time! Sometimes she bops me on the head when we're waiting for dinner.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! We know a certain orange tabby who likes to bop somekitty on the head while waiting for dinner!

      Delete
  18. I have tried Feliway and it seemed to help but the scent gives me a headache. Are there unscented options?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think there are any unscented vs. scented. I don't notice a scent with the diffusers at all. The spray can be strong until it dissipates though.

      Delete
  19. Goodness, they are such cuties as per usual. I would love to try the Feliway Multi Cat Diffuser! I have never heard of this before but it sounds awesome! starla.batesATyahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. I love the idea of playing classical music!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I foster cats and kittens, and whenever I have new furry housemates, I put a Feliway diffuser in the foster cat room, and I also use the spray around the room and in carriers. I use the spray in carriers for my own cats, as well. The Feliway products really do help most cats to feel less stressed.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Lots of stress for our cats lately (recent move) and more fighting. Would love to try your products!

    Lin Murdock

    ReplyDelete
  23. I would like the FELISCRATCH by FELIWAY® for my cat, Yoshi.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'd like the feliway spray so I could use it wherever needed (for travel, in bedding, etc)

    ReplyDelete
  25. I would like to try the spray for my 3 cats.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I would like to try the spray so it can be use in all of our rooms!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I would love to try the spray for our kitty, to keep on hand for any stressful changes or events! :D Also super excited that I found this site - I'm really enjoying reading through it, & Waffles & Katie are gorgeous!! I'll definitely be a return reader/fan!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Also, I had a brain slip & goofed when entering my name in the Rafflecopter for the comment - I entered Lindsay A. (my name, lol), forgetting that the above comment would show up as klahane ridge (username) instead. My apologies for any confusion!

    ReplyDelete
  29. We have a multi cat household and some of the shy cats have trouble with the 3 alpha cats.🙄

    ReplyDelete

Thank you so much for your comment. We LOVE hearing from you!

LATEST POSTS