Cats scratch. They scratch where they should — cat trees, scratch pads — and where they shouldn’t — drapes, carpets, furniture. Scratching is a natural and important activity for cats, but it can come into conflict when cats practice it in a human home.

At the 2014 Maddie’s^® Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida Conference, Katherine Polak, DVM, MPH, MS, DACVPM, talked about synthetic feline interdigital semiochemicals (FIS), natural SOMETHINGS that might help ease that conflict and keep cats in their homes.

These chemicals, also known as pheromones, are familiar to many pet owners and veterinarians in the form of calming products such as Feliway and Adaptil. FIS is a pheromone left behind on surfaces cats have scratched.

Dr. Polak gave an overview of a study published in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. In it, the authors sought to see if synthetic FIS could modify feline scratching behavior.

In their randomized, blinded, crossover study, the researchers found cats were more likely to scratch surfaces with the pheromone on them than surfaces without, and concluded the use of FIS in changing where cats scratch — of great importance when inappropriate scratching can result in a cat ending up in a shelter or living outside.

Want to know more? Watch Dr. Polak’s 15-minute presentation, Vet to Vet: Efficacy of Synthetic Feline Interdigital Semiochemical (FIS).

After viewing the presentation, click here to take the quiz and receive a Certificate of Attendance!