strange question

I know that anything scented (candles, glade, etc) is a bad idea for snakes - so what about un-scented things? The reason I ask is that I have an extremely anxious cat that can't tolerate anti-anxiety meds. There is however a stress-relieving pheromone that works wonders in the clinic that I would like to try. It is a plug-in that looks similar to a glade plugin, but instead of heating and releasing a scented oil, this one heats a liquid that contains the pheromone that lactating female cats release when feeding kittens (the "everything is fine 'casue mom is here' smell). There is a slight warm smell when they are plugged in, but other than that the smell is not detectable to humans. Since snakes can smell way better than cats, I am concerned the pheromone may upset him in some way.

The product is called Feli-way or comfort zone - if anyone else uses these let me know please.

Is it labeled as safe to use around birds?

I am not finding anything on answering that question. You need an exact list of ingredients

Found this on a parrot forum

This is information regarding the Feliway diffuser and caged birds:
"Can I plug a Feliway® Diffuser in a room where there are caged birds?

If a caged bird can handle wax-based non-scented candles, there shouldn’t be a problem (the diffuser is a wax-based paraffin oil, similar to a candle, and it is odorless). However, some birds are known to have sensitive respiratory systems therefore we recommend using the diffuser in a different room."

"Tips for using Feliway, from my conversation with Farnam (a vet )

• 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. ("http://forums.avianavenue.com/index.php?threads/feliway-for-cats-safe-for-birds.166165/)

the part I bolded is what worries me

Well that is kind of worrying. Wax/Oils in the air may not be really all that good for your snake, I'd assume them to be like the worst case birds (sensitive ones).

What is your living situation on floor space and rooms?

If you're only in 1 25x25' room, I wouldn't recommend it. If you can put a door between the snake and the difuser, do it. If you have more than 650ft of floor space, put the snake as far from the difuser as possible

I have 700sqft loft type apartment - all open. Only door is on the bathroom - which the cat does not spend time in - lol. Alright then, you've verified my concerns at least. She (the cat) is on a food with stress-relieving ingredients and it is helping a good bit so that is just going to have to be good enough :)

Have you look into Jackson Galaxy he makes a oil you spray on the cat for stress works wonders


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Don't they have a spray that isn't the difuser?

Again, 700 square ft is over 650, which means with the right placement the snake should be fine

They do, the spray is meant for short-term events, I use it when she has to go to work with me - it makes her drool a lot (so does rubbing alcohol). Every time I have to get blood on her she drools like she has rabies as soon as she gets a whiff of the alcohol - it's quite pathetic

Are you waiting 15 minutes before your cat is exposed to the area so the alcohol can disperse?

yep. i usually wait about 30 - granted I spray the stuff on my clothes before handling feral / very scared cats at work and if she gets a whiff of my scrubs when I get home she walks off with that disgusted cat face. she may also drool from associating the smell with going to the vet in the first place. lol

We should probably move this to "Off topic" at this point - not really discussing snakes anymore