
A guide to treating your cat with Eluracat™
Weight loss is common in cats with long-term medical conditions, but maintaining a healthy weight is important as it can help slow disease progression. Your vet has prescribed Eluracat to help your cat gain and maintain weight.
What is Eluracat?
Eluracat is an innovative treatment to help cats with long-term medical conditions gain and maintain weight. It is an oral solution with vanilla flavouring designed to be appealing to cats and works by improving appetite and affecting metabolism, resulting in gradual weight gain.
What to expect with Eluracat
You may notice your cat’s appetite improves as treatment starts, with changes in their eating habits such as their interest in food and the amount they eat. Our studies show that most cats start to gain weight after 2 weeks of treatment.1
The most common side effect of Eluracat is drooling just after administration. It should resolve on its own and doesn't affect how Eluracat works.2 However, if you have any concerns please speak to your vet.
Keeping an eye on your cat's weight
Monitoring your cat’s weight by regularly weighing them is the most accurate way for you and your vet to assess their condition and how well they’re responding to treatment with Eluracat.
A gradual loss or gain in weight can be hard to spot but could be an early sign of illness, even if your cat seems otherwise well. For example, a 4 kg cat losing 200 g (to 3.8 kg) may not look very different, but it's worth monitoring closely and discussing with your vet if the loss continues. Remember to keep a record of your cat's weight to share with your vet.
Make sure to speak to your vet if your cat loses more than 5% of their body weight or gains weight rapidly. Even a small increase in weight can be significant in cats with chronic medical conditions.
Tips and tricks to make weighing your cat accurate and stress-free:
Choose the right scales
- Kittens and small cats: Baby scales are ideal because they measure in small increments (often 5–10 g).
- Adult cats: Digital bathroom scales work well if your cat is happy to be held.
Use the same scales every time to keep results consistent.
Weigh at the same time
Try to weigh your cat on the same day each week and at a similar time of day. Small day-to-day fluctuations are normal.
How to weigh your cat
Weigh yourself alone then pick up your cat and weigh yourself again. Subtract your weight from the combined weight. However, if your cat won't stay still, place them in their cat carrier, weigh the carrier and cat together, then weigh the empty carrier separately and subtract the difference. This is often the easiest method for nervous cats.
If using baby scales you can place your cat's blanket on the scales and make it a positive experience by giving them a treat. To encourage them to sit still you could use a cat yogurt that they can lick from the packet.
Tips to keep things stress-free
- Weigh your cat in a quiet room.
- Make the scales familiar by keeping them out all the time.
- Reward them with treats or attention afterwards.
- Never force them if they're becoming very stressed - try again later.
Keep a record
Always record the date, weight (to the nearest 10–50 g if possible) and any notes (e.g. appetite changes, food preferences). Looking at trends over time is much more useful than a single measurement.
How to give Eluracat
Convenient at-home dosing, Eluracat is an oral solution containing vanilla flavouring, that can be administered directly into your cat's mouth.
STEP 1Remove the cap and insert the syringe into the bottle. Turn the bottle upside down and withdraw the appropriate amount of solution using the ml scale on the syringe.
STEP 2Return the bottle to the upright position. Remove the syringe from the bottle and replace the cap tightly.
STEP 3Hold the cat’s head gently but firmly in one hand. Place your thumb behind their head and use your fingers to lift their jaw and support their neck.
STEP 4With your other hand, open their mouth and place the syringe behind their canine tooth, angling it towards the back of their mouth. Then gently push the plunger on the syringe to dispense Eluracat into the mouth.
STEP 5Remove and rinse the syringe and plunger with water. Leave them apart to dry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Eluracat
Want to know more?
- Wofford JA et al.J Fel Med Surg 2025;27:1098612X251379924
- Eluracat™ Summary of Product Characteristics


