If you have ever struggled to give your cat medication take heart; a worldwide study of cat owners, or feline cohabitants as you may prefer to be known, confirms that you are not alone.
As a veterinarian, I often prescribe medication - tablets, capsules, liquids, pastes, 'spot-ons', drops, creams, inhalants and occasionally injections - for owners to administer at home.
Medications may be to maintain health and prevent disease, like worming tablets or flea and tick treatments.
They may also be to treat disease such as antibiotics or antifungals, medications that relieve pain, support cardiovascular function or manage endocrine disease like hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus.
Most courses of medication are short, but cats with chronic conditions may require lifelong medication, and it can be multiple times per day.
Where possible, I give the first dose in front of the owner.
But what happens when the cat and their accompanying human head home?
According to a survey of 2507 cat owners published in this month's Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, not all medications make it into, or onto, the cats.
Survey respondents were made up of around two-thirds cat owners, and one-third very experienced cat owners (for example, veterinary professionals).
Overall, cat owners found injections (such as insulin injections) and 'spot-ons' much easier to administer than oral medications such as tablets and capsules.
Cats spat out tablets in 79 per cent of cases, refused to eat medication that was hidden in food in 72 per cent of cases, and chose to absent themselves when they suspected medication might be given in 53 per cent of cases.
Concerningly, over half of cat owners felt that giving medications to their cat changed their relationship to their cat.
Around 77 per cent reported that their cat had tried to bite or scratch them when being medicated, while 53 per cent of cats bolted from their owners when they thought they might be medicated.
These challenges meant that some medication courses were not completed.
Doses may be missed, leading to ineffective treatment or below-therapeutic doses, a risk factor for development of antimicrobial resistance.
Indeed, the study found that over one-third of owners failed to administer a full course of medication to their cat, with more than one-quarter stopping near the end of the course and around one-fifth stopping after just a few doses.
Remember, the respondents included veterinary professionals.
Of those who found it difficult or impossible to medicate their cat, fewer than half contacted their veterinary clinic for advice.
But most of those who contacted the vet clinic reported that they were provided with an acceptable solution.
So what can we do?
Ask your veterinarian or veterinary nurse to administer the first dose and demonstrate how it's done.
This is not always possible.
My cat Hero is incredibly fearful in veterinary settings, tending to bite first, ask questions later.
But at home where he feels safe, I can give him any medication I need to.
You may live with a "Hero" yourself.
If you think your cat is likely to mount a defensive attack at home, let your veterinarian know.
There may be an alternative that is easier to administer.
International Cat Care has made a range of excellent videos available free on their website (icatcare.org) demonstrating tips for administering medication.
REFERENCE
1. Taylor, S., et al., Online survey of owners' experiences of medicating their cats at home. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 2022: p. 1098612X221083752.
Dr Anne Quain BVSc (Hons), MANZCVS (Animal Welfare), Dip ECAWBM (AWSEL) is a lecturer at the Sydney School of Veterinary Science and a practising veterinarian.
