Dr. Sarah Ellis
Head of Cat Advocacy at International Cat Care Sarah is the Feline Behavior Specialist with the International Cat Care.
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Teach Any Cat AeroKat*
Learn from a Certificated Animal Behaviorist
Your guide to training your cat to use an inhaler. Developed in partnership with the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM), the veterinary division of parent charity International Cat Care.
Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist Training
We have teamed up with two leading cat behavior experts from International Cat Care to develop a simple and effective 5-step guide to help you and your cat be successful with inhalers.
Learn how to train any cat to use the AeroKat* Chamber with video guidance from a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist and trainer; and Head of Cat Advocacy and author of the best-selling book "The Trainable Cat". These experts in the field of feline behavior and training help take the fear and distress out of using a cat inhaler.
All cats can enjoy training and be successful when their cat-specific and individual needs are understood and met. Attending to cats' communication and preferences, providing motivating rewards and ensuring cats are in control is, all part of a positive training and bonding experience, and is key to achieving great AeroKat* training outcomes together!
Tips & Tricks
Make it a pawsitive experience by following the CONDITION, LOVE, REWARD approach.
Condition
Slowly and calmly familiarize your pet to the chamber before administering a dose
Love
Provide lots of hugs, pets and cuddles before, during and after treatment
Reward
Give treats before and after
Simple steps to teach any cat AeroKat*
Step 1 - Creating Comfort
First you will learn how to introduce the chamber to your cat. Our goal is to have cats be relaxed with the device, prevent any distress and in general increase their comfort level associated with therapy.
Step 2 - Building Confidence
Build on the initial comfort established in Step 1 by using simple techniques and items found around the house. Here we will steadily progress, avoiding fear or frustration, and increasing your cat's confidence around the chamber.
Step 3 - Introducing the Mask
Step 3 will introduce the mask and help your cat build positive associations by using items found around the house. This process will gradually build their confidence and prevent fear or frustration until they are comfortably placing their nose in the mask all on their own.
Step 4 - Extending the Duration
Learn how to support your cat while they become more comfortable with AeroKat* Chamber. They will progress from simply placing their nose in the mask (see Step 3) to holding the mask against their face for the full duration of the treatment. This will allow them to have enough time to inhale as much as possible.
Step 5 - Inhaling the Medication
In step 5 you and your cat are ready to incorporate the inhaler. You will learn to apply the skills learned from videos 1-4 and support your cat during their inhaled therapy session.
Your Cat will ♥ Using the AeroKat* Chamber
Pet parents, now you can feel confident that even your cat can learn to use a cat asthma inhaler. Teach your cat to be comfortable with the mask with this step by step tutorial from a Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviorist and trainer. Learn how to teach, support and motivate your cat, so you can successfully switch to inhalers to help improve your cat's quality of life by avoiding the side effects of systemic steroids (pills) that may harm cats' health, and negatively affect quality of life and behavior.
A little training for a lifetime of safer therapy!
Reward-based training is efficient, fun and bonding for you and your cat. Investment in the AeroKat* training process is an investment in your relationship and your cat's future health. With AeroKat* training also comes empowerment to treat coughing attacks at home. In emergencies, you will be able to give your cat a rescue inhaler to help stop the attack and potentially prevent a visit to your vet.
Behaviorist
Learn more about International Cat Care's behavior experts who developed the cat inhaler training.
Linda Ryan
Linda is an ASAB-accredited Certificated Clinical Animal Behaviourist and a Certified Trainer and faculty instructor with the world-renowned Karen Pryor Academy.
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