New Smaller FIP Tablet Offers Fresh Hope for Cat Owners Across the World
A smaller, fully film-coated 15mg FIP tablet—an easier, more convenient option for treatment—is now available in Los Angeles, offering what many veterinarians consider a meaningful step toward more reliable care.
FIP is a rare but devastating illness caused by a mutation of the common feline coronavirus. While the everyday form of the virus usually causes no more than mild digestive upset, the mutated version spreads through the bloodstream and attacks a cat’s organs. It is especially feared by owners of kittens and young cats, who are most vulnerable.
The new 15mg tablet, released by pet-health company MaxPaw, is deliberately small and coated to protect the medicine inside. While that may sound like a minor tweak, it could make a major difference for cats struggling through weeks of daily treatment.
A Small Pill That Avoids a Big Problem
Most cat owners know the daily battle of trying to give medicine to an unwilling feline—hissing, twisting, failing, and occasionally bleeding. Larger tablets can be especially tough for kittens or sick cats to swallow. And with FIP drugs, breaking the tablet in half isn’t an option; the protective coating must stay intact for the medicine to work properly.
The new pill’s compact, arrow-shaped design aims to make that ordeal easier. Early users reported that their cats struggled far less and some even stopped fighting altogether.
“It sounds silly, but when your cat is sick and scared, a smaller pill really does change everything,” said one Los Angeles cat owner who participated in early trials.
Designed to Help the Medicine Reach Where It Needs to Go
Unlike many other medications, FIP treatment has a very specific requirement: the drug must survive the stomach and reach the small intestine before it starts working. If stomach acid breaks it down too early, much of its effectiveness is lost.
To address that, the new tablet uses an upgraded enteric coating—essentially a protective shell that only dissolves once it reaches the intestines. That’s where the medicine is absorbed into the bloodstream and carried throughout the body to stop the virus from spreading.
Veterinarians say this seemingly simple improvement could help keep the drug’s levels more stable in a cat’s system, which is crucial for an illness that affects multiple organs.
A Response to What Cat Families Actually Face
The changes come after MaxPaw says it has supported more than 17,000 families dealing with FIP. One consistent complaint: giving medicine was often harder than coping with the disease itself.
Daily treatment can last up to three months, and missed or partial doses can affect recovery. Making the pill smaller and more resilient is intended to help families keep going through a long and emotional journey.
“FIP is one of the most frightening diagnoses a cat owner can hear,” said a U.S. veterinarian familiar with the medicine. “Anything that makes treatment easier—both physically and emotionally—is going to make a real difference.”
A Step Toward a Less Fearful Future
While FIP is still a serious disease, survival rates have improved dramatically over the past few years thanks to antiviral medications. Many owners now share stories of cats making full recoveries, returning to playfulness, and living normal lives.
The new tablet won’t eliminate the fear or the heartbreak entirely, but for many families, it could mean fewer dosing battles, less stress, and a better chance at saving a beloved companion.
For cat owners across the world, that alone feels like news worth celebrating.
