Celebrating 30 Years of FELIWAY® – And the Cats Who Made it Possible!
Wow – 30 whole years! For three wonderful decades, we’ve had the privilege of helping cats (and the humans who adore them!) all around the world feel safe, secure, and wonderfully themselves.
A whole lot may have changed since 1996 – hopefully including our fashion sense – but one thing has stayed exactly the same: our shared love for cats. Their charm, their quirks, and their quiet (and often noisy) demands will never go out of style… unlike double denim, which actually has come back into style (we knew we looked cool!).
But really, this anniversary isn’t about us – questionable wardrobes or otherwise. It’s about them: the slow-blinking, tail-swishing, gentle purring companions who bring so much joy to our lives. So today, we’re throwing a full-on cat celebration – because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that life is definitely better with cats!
Why Do Humans Love Cats So Much?
If the past 30 years have taught us anything, it’s that cats are truly extraordinary. They’re graceful yet goofy. Independent yet affectionate. Mysterious yet expressive in ways only pet parents can truly understand.
But if we had to put our finger on one quality we love most about cats, it would probably have to be how they communicate with us through their subtle body language and tiny routines. At FELIWAY®, our mission has always been to help humans understand and support their cats’ emotional world – because a confident and relaxed cat is a wonderfully happy companion.
30 years ago, a team of cat behavior experts set out to understand this emotional world of cats a little better. And that mission led to the development of pheromone-based support to help create feelings of comfort and security. In other words, this is the story of how FELIWAY® came into being…
A Look Back: FELIWAY® Through the Decades
FELIWAY® was born from a simple idea – what if understanding how cats naturally communicate could help them feel more comfortable in their homes? Long before “cat behavior” became a trending topic, researchers uncovered something remarkable: cats communicate through natural pheromones, a chemical-based language they use to feel safe and connected.
And so, in 1996, FELIWAY® launched the world’s first synthetic feline pheromone product. It changed everything: how vets supported cat well-being, how pet behaviorists helped families, and how cat parents understood their beloved companions.
The 1990s: The Beginning of Something Big
FELIWAY® made its debut with what’s now known as FELIWAY® Classic Spray, and cats everywhere breathed a sigh of relief. For the first time, there was a science-backed way to support feline stress.
The 2000s: Growing, Learning, and Helping More Cats
Following the success of our initial spray, we launched our first pheromone diffuser in 2001, truly transforming how we could support cats around the home. Amazingly, cat parents began spreading the word themselves – accompanied by fewer shredded sofas – and our products began to be noticed across the world.
The 2010s: New Research, Even More Happy Cats
With more insights into cat behavior, our family of solutions grew. In 2016, we launched FELIWAY® MultiCat, based on the maternal appeasing pheromones produced by mother cats. Multi-cat households and kittens settling into new homes all suddenly had a world of additional support.
The 2020s: FELIWAY® Optimum Takes Centre Stage
In 2020, we made our biggest transformation yet with FELIWAY® Optimum, featuring the latest scientific advances to produce an incredible new pheromone complex. The best FELIWAY® ever, this new diffuser helps support cats in our ever-changing world – from new routines and moving furniture to the occasional unexpected visitor.
Then came Happy Snack by FELIWAY® – our first foray into calming cat treats. Containing alpha-casozepine, a well-known calming ingredient, cat parents suddenly had a deliciously creamy reward to offer their kitties whenever they wanted to share a special moment together. Happy Snack by FELIWAY® is currently available in chicken flavor, but keep your eyes peeled… there just might be more news on this selection heading our way soon!
One thing’s for sure: thirty years on, we’re still learning, still innovating, and still putting cat well-being at the heart of everything we do.
The Future of Cat Happiness
So, what’s next for FELIWAY®?
More research. More understanding. More innovation. And absolutely, without question… more happy cats!
Our commitment to supporting cats’ emotional needs isn’t going anywhere. In fact, we’re just getting started. We can’t wait to see where the next 30 years will take us!
Thank You for 30 Wonderful Years
From the bottom of our hearts (and our cats’ paws), thank you for being a part of the FELIWAY® journey.
Here’s to the next 30 years of cat celebrations, deepening the cat-human bond, and helping the world’s most enchanting companions feel safe, secure, and loved.
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