20/06/2026
Counterconditioning to eye meds (haphazardly) ššāā¬ļø
šµsound on for purring! š
Well the day came sooner than anticipated.
Iād wanted to help my cats get comfy with handling for eye meds before they ever needed it, as cats can find them very challenging (understandably), but my newest family member got an ulcer before trying. Of course! š
Sharing our abrupt, unplanned training session after our vet trip.
It took about 6min before I gave the meds (Iāve cut repetitions), familiarising her with what would happen, so that we started off a little less traumatic than if I just restrained her and attacked her eye out of nowhere.š¤ŗ
Itās quite messy on my end.
ā ļø A good reminder to calm yourself so your thinking brain doesnāt shut off before med administration and to plan your session rather than jump in while in a panic from the vet trip haha, my hands are all over the show, but itās getting her used to touching her head in different places so not end of the world.
This is showing my cat and I learning together and how she progressed, including my mistakes. This is definitely not a how to. Just our journey.
But I love to see her so engaged and if you listen sheās purring throughout bless her! In true purrsonality fashion! š„°Following sessions she came running for med time each time, which is what i was hoping to achieve. š¤©
Lots of trust building went into our relationship before this and sheās already clicker trained. Pretty great result from a cat who wouldnāt allow people to touch her a year ago!
š¤š¤Proud of you Willow!š¤š¤
**Important to mention** Pain was addressed before attempting this! If she hadn't had pain relief she wouldn't want food or me near her.
*Note - my touch is very light, it looks quite heavy handed. You you can see when I change hands how gentle it is and I try keep it light just add more of my hand in contact with her. Im not actually ārestrainingā her, more cradling her, sometimes barely touching. She can move out of it.
More to this in the comments. šø
