Cooperative Care for Cats.

What are the benefits, and how do you get started?

Many cat parents struggle to give their cats medications. The meds come with little to no instructions, and this is often the time cat owners wish they were dog owners and could just wrap the pill in cheese or bacon.

Statistically, your cat will likely need to take pills or other medications in its lifetime. Starting training early on, before it’s needed, usually pays off.

I often get questions about administering meds to cats without the risk of damaging the relationship with the cat or having the risk of an urgent care visit.

The answer is cooperative care. Cooperative care is training and teaching your cat to participate willingly in their care.

Trust me, it’s possible. Cats can be trained to take meds or willingly participate in their care. This not only lowers the stress for the cats but also reduces the stress for the owners or the veterinary team.

 One of my cats needs daily medication. And multiple foster cats needing various meds for URIs, eye infections, or ear infections. They keep me on my toes and make me think constantly about creative ideas to medicate them.

How to get started?

1.     Choose a quiet and comfortable location for the training. Cats like routine and predictability.

2.     Find the high-value reward. Cats must be paid in a currency they value if you expect them to participate. Keep the irresistible treat for training only!

3.     Get familiar with accepting a “no” or “not now” when working with your cat.

4.     Keep it sweet and short.

5.     Always work under the threshold. Watch out for signs of discomfort in your cat.

Consider this exercise as building up a trust account with your cat. Trust is the basis of successful cooperative care.

Some items that come in handy:

-       A textured snuffle mat.

-       1ml and 3ml slip syringes.

-       Chicken-flavored gel caps.

-       A pill cutter.

-       Squeeze up treats or baby food.

The first hurdle for many cat owners is to get the cat in the carrier. Leaving the carrier out and open is not enough. You will have to build up a history of positive associations. Feed your cat their favorite food or treats in the carrier. 

If your cat had a terrible experience with the carrier you own, it is often time to replace the existing carrier with a different, new one.

In extreme cases, I recommend getting them used to a small playpen that can be zipped up and brought to your vet. Talk to your veterinarian in advance about the unusual method of transportation. And make sure you are comfortable with it.

Desensitization is the process of getting your cat used to a stimulus. This can be the carrier, the nail clipper, or a syringe. Move the stimulus closer to your cat and observe the reaction. If you notice any signs of discomfort or fear, you are not working under the threshold but flooding your cat. If your cat shows any signs of discomfort or fear. YOU are moving too fast. Increase the distance and slow down.

When I work with clients, I often compare it to a fear of snakes. Someone afraid of snakes will not get over the fear by throwing them into a cage with snakes (flooding).

Slow steps are less uncomfortable and more successful:

Watching a snake in a terrarium from far away, moving one step closer every day. Watching other people touch or handle the snake. Eventually, reaching out for the snake. Small steps towards the goal of overcoming a fear of snakes.

If you are not afraid of snakes this example may not help you understand better. Think of anything you are terrified of. Compare it to your cat being afraid of the carrier, syringe, or nail clipper. In many cases, the fear was created by one or multiple unpleasant events. And the cats associate the carrier with bad things happening.

Training is needed to break these habits and create positive associations with the carrier or vet visits.

We can teach cooperative care for all types of veterinary care or grooming needs.

-       Nail clipping.

-       Taking pills.

-       Taking liquid meds.

-       Injections.

-       Eye care.

-       Ear care.

The training and method can differ from cat to cat and household to household.

Training a cat to take pills can be done in several ways.

1.     Crush the pill, mix it with a liquid treat, and administer it in a syringe.

2.     Cutting up the pill, hiding it in get caps, and training the cat to swallow the pill caps.

3.     Gently working with a pill popper and lots of liquid treats.

You can try out the method that works for you. I have videos on my social media, or you can find them on YouTube.

The do’s:

• Various methods and medication options.

• Try them all.

• Pills or capsules.

• Liquid.

• Injections.

• Transdermal.

• Check what works best for your cat and yourself.

• Ask for consent.

The don’ts:

• Mix in food.

• Force the cat.

• Rush it.

• Ask for consent and don’t accept a “no or not now”.

• Stick to a product that doesn’t work for your cat and yourself.

If you need help, contact me. The Feline Consultant is offering cooperative care evaluations and packages.