Oscar is on Feliway for life because of idiopathic cystitis, a UTI caused by stress.

He is a happy boy - but had stress simply because a) he was wild for the first several years of his life, and b) got a new buddy, Cole.

His BEHAVIOUR was just fine - but his bladder showed the stress!

The vet wanted him on amitryptiline (Elavil). I asked about Feliway, as it is non-drug. The vet said ok. So now Oscar wears a nylon collar into which I put one small shot of Feliway am and pm.

"It is Dr. Buffington's belief that some cases of lower urinary tract disease in cats, cases in which a cause is difficult to pinpoint, are surprisingly close in symptoms to interstitial cystitis in people. Cats with idiopathic cystitis have increased frequency, pain, and urgency of urination. Affected cats resent being handled and resist the veterinarian's effort to palpate the abdomen during examination. An uncontrollable urgency to urinate may catch the cat off guard and at a distance from the litter box.

Buffington also says that stress plays a role in cats' urinary tract disease, which parallels stress related flareups in women.
"Flare ups of bladder problems in cats are often seen two to three days after stressful events, such as a move to a new house, the arrival or departure of house guests, holidays and vacations, weather changes and abrupt diet changes," (or Allen attacks, getting closed in basement - kitty door good idea)