Online survey of owners' experiences of medicating their cats at home

The aim of this study was to use an online survey to obtain information from cat owners about their experiences of medicating their cats.

An online survey containing 35 questions on experiences of medicating cats was circulated to cat owners globally.

In total, 2507 surveys from 57 countries were analysed; 1724 from 'cat owners' and 783 from 'cat owners+' (respondents with significant cat experience, including veterinary professionals). Around half (50.7%) of cat owners were 'sometimes' or 'never' provided with information or advice on how to administer medication; however, 91.8% of those given information found it 'somewhat' or 'very' useful. Around half (53.6%) of owners sought information from the internet about how to administer medication. Total cat owners (cat owners and cat owners+) administered liquids (61.3%), pastes (45.3%) or tablets (39.5%) directly into their cat's mouth; fewer (22.6-24.1%) hid these medications in food. Total cat owners rated tablets significantly harder to administer than liquids; 53.0% chose liquids as their first-choice formulation while 29.3% chose tablets. Insulin injections and 'spot-ons' were significantly easier to administer than any oral medications. Over half (51.6%) of owners reported that medicating their cat(s) had changed their relationship with them; 77.0% reported that their cat(s) had tried to bite or scratch them when medicating. Other challenges included the cat(s) spitting out tablets (78.7%), refusing medication in food (71.7%) and running away (52.7%). Of the owners who failed to complete a course of medication (35.4%), 27.8% stopped near the end of the course, while 19.3% stopped after a few doses, in both cases as medicating was too difficult.

Owners appreciate being provided with information about the administration of medication. Frequent challenges when medicating cats include potential human injury and damage to the owner-cat relationship. Pharmaceutical companies should provide a range of formulations to ease compliance. Veterinary clinics should provide information/demonstrations and internet links when prescribing medications.