# Owner’s Perspective About the Use of Mirtazapine Transdermal Ointment in Cats—A Survey-Based Study

## TL;DR

This study surveyed cat owners on the use of transdermal mirtazapine, finding it easy to apply and effective for stimulating appetite, though some side effects were reported.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into owner experiences with transdermal mirtazapine in cats, including ease of use and effectiveness.

## Key findings

- Most owners found transdermal mirtazapine easy to apply and effective for stimulating appetite.
- Side effects like increased vocalization and redness were reported but were not frequent.
- Transdermal mirtazapine was preferred over the oral form by most due to ease of administration, though some chose oral for cost reasons.

## Abstract

Mirtazapine is currently used in feline medicine to improve appetite in cats. In this study, we aimed to assess cat owner’s feedback about the use of transdermal mirtazapine. A multicentric survey-based study was conducted. A total of 70 owners answered a thorough survey about how easy it was to give, possible side effects, and their general perception about mirtazapine. Most owners reported that the application was easy, considering it effective in stimulating their cats’ appetite. Some side effects were noted, such as increased vocalization, redness of the ear, or restlessness, but these were not frequent. Few owners had used oral mirtazapine before, and most of them found the administration of transdermal formulation easier. However, some preferred the oral form due to its lower cost. The results of this study show that the use of transdermal mirtazapine is generally well accepted by owners, being an apparent compliant medication in feline medicine.

Mirtazapine is an antidepressant used as an appetite stimulant in cats. This study aims to assess owner perspectives on the use of transdermal mirtazapine in cats. A multicentric survey-based study was conducted. A survey of 15 questions about efficacy, side effects, and overall perception was sent to owners of cats that had received the treatment between January 2021 and March 2023 in two European veterinary hospitals. From 108 contacted owners, 70 responses were obtained. Application to the ear was considered easy by 97% of respondents, and 91% followed the manufacturers’ instructions for alternating ears. Side effects were reported by 20%, most often increased vocalization, redness, or restlessness. Chronic kidney disease was the most common reason for prescription. Nine owners had previously used the oral form, and most of them found the transdermal option easier, although some preferred the oral version due to lower cost. Overall, 77% of owners considered the treatment effective in stimulating appetite. Regarding length of therapy, about half administered it for less than 14 days, while the rest followed the labeled duration, with longer use associated with more consistent appetite improvement. These findings highlight that transdermal mirtazapine is generally well accepted by owners, easy to administer, and effective in promoting appetite in cats.