Training cats for
comfort with inhaled
therapy
Linda Ryan

BSc (Hons) VTS (Behaviour, Oncology) DipAVN KPA-CTP RVN CCAB

Help! My cat needs an inhaler!
• Inhaled therapy may be prescribed for• Asthma• COPD• Mask and chamber (spacer) needed• Don’t panic!
• Simple and fun to teach your cat• Cats that learn to voluntarily participate• Positive reinforcement training• Better for long-term treatment provision• Cat remaining comfortable and content

Voluntary Participation

Long-term Treatment Compliance

Comfortable and Content

Voluntary Participation

Long-term Treatment Compliance

Comfortable and Content

First,make aplan…

Training goals• Overarching goal
• Cat voluntarily approaches mask/chamber• Puts nose in• Holds their face in the mask
• Calmly takes “x” breaths

Sub-goals – each trained individuallyWhat will I need? Get set for success!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

What will I need? Get set for success!

R+!

Intro to equipment:
Inhaler/chamber are no threat
Scatter treats for cat to explore
Reward calm interactions(petting/food)Getting started:
Luring (with food)Shaping (easier to harder)
Marking
Followed by a treat

Start easy and work toward goal

Big pots → mask

Open-ended objects to feed throughBuilds confidence and good associations

Feed on flat plate → big pot → smaller
objects → mask
Feed through open ends
THEN mask
Easy! It’s just another object!

Feed on flat plate → big pot → smaller
objects → mask
Feed through open ends
THEN mask
Easy! It’s just another object!
DON’T – move theobject TOWARDSthe cat

DO - be sure thecat CHOOSES tointeract üComfort with new things“This predicts that”
Aerosol wrapped in a towel
Muffled “hissing” - PREDICTS rewards

Comfort with new things“This predicts that”
Aerosol wrapped in a towel
Muffled “hissing” - PREDICTS rewards

Cats very sensitive to smell
Medication = unfamiliar scent
May upset cat without preparation
Introduce a variety of innocuous scents
Scent predicts treatsCats very sensitive to smell
Medication = unfamiliar scent
May upset cat without preparation
Introduce a variety of innocuous scents
Scent predicts treatsNow we can get to the specific training for mask/chamber/treatment

Turn mask inside out(Should look flat)
Lure nose
Click for nose in mask
Feed through mask

Shape voluntary approaches
Lure interest
Mark (“click”)
Feed out of mask

Confidence with assembled chamber
Lure with food in chamber
Click!

Feed outside maskAdd a cue
An invitation. Gives choice:
CATS IN CONTROL!
Visual or verbal

Only when well understood
Just as cat approaches

Fingtap er

Ensure comfort & voluntary participation• Take training slowly• If in doubt, stop!
• Be sure your cat is happy, engaged and in control

Cat must have a voice & a choice!

Lili Chin:www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.doggiedrawings

Image credit: Trisha Dowling, DVM, MSc, DACVIM (LAIM) & DACVCP❌

Duration = increase time cat can do task
• Voluntarily approach and hold stillDuration – concept trainingDuration = increase time cat can do task
• Voluntarily approach and hold still• Inc. calm acceptance of objects on bodyDuration = increase time cat can do task
• Voluntarily approach and hold still• Inc. calm acceptance of objects on body
• Multiple breaths in mask

Hands, or mask, on body: Click!
Hands/mask off body: Feed
Withhold click for longer/shorter
Towards & away from face
Helps comfort with pressureKeep going until counting more/less breaths, rather than seconds!
If Flow-Vu is moving, there is enough pressure & a good seal

Comfort with treatment• Shake inhaler (→ feed)• Insert inhaler (→ feed)• Depress - away from cat (→ feed)

Break down
into steps forfirst few
repetitions

Comfort with treatment• Shake inhaler (→ feed)• Insert inhaler (→ feed)• Depress - away from cat (→ feed)• Click for nose in mask (Feed out of mask)• Accept less when all is new• Don’t worry about duration or pressure
initiallyTeach comfort in having the face wiped• Start with soft dry cloth, then slightly
damp, then a little more damp
• Top tip - use warm water!
• Click/mark while for calmly accepting→ remove cloth → give treatFour breaths → break → four breaths

Full treatment sequence → Eight breaths → Cat in complete control!

Review plan

Top Tips For Cat-Training Success:• Think cat!

• Rate of reward should be high• Make it fun!

• No distractions. Set up for success• Catch 'em in the act – of doing
something wanted! Reward what you
want more of• Be a splitter, not a lumper! Break down
into steps• Never punish or coerce – unkind, unfair,counterproductive

What you click is what you get!

• Keep sessions short and sweet!
1-2 minutes• It's all in the timing• Be consistent and fair – go with the cat!

See video series…
• Overview video: “Training your cat to be comfortable with AeroKat* Chamber use”
• Step 1: “Mastering the training techniques for AeroKat* Chamber comfort”• Step 2: “Introducing your cat to the AeroKat* Chamber”• Step 3: “Teaching your cat to voluntarily place their nose in the AeroKat*mask”• Step 4: “Teaching your cat to hold their nose in the AeroKat* Chamber for the durationof their treatment”• Step 5: “Teaching your cat to be comfortable inhaling medication”

Conclusion:• It’s possible• Its fun
• It takes time & care
• May need vet & behaviour/training support
If Olive can do it, every cat can