When our pets are sick we worry over them. The last thing you want to do is stress them or yourself out over administering the medication they need to get better. It can be a really stressful experience, especially with cats. As a cat owner, you know that they are notoriously independent and feisty little creatures; getting them to anything they don’t want to do can be almost impossible. But sometimes you have to do what you have to do to make them better and there are some ways to give your cat medication that makes it easier on you both.
Make sure to prepare everything in advance
Medicine– If you need to prepare liquid make sure to have the dose ready to go in the syringe or open the bottle and have the pill ready to go before you pick up your cat.
Towel– It may help to wrap your cat up in a towel so that they don’t scratch you, plus it makes it hard for them to squirm around.
Treats– If they can take the medicine with food then make sure to give them some kind of treat after you’ve given them their medicine. Check with your vet because some food needs to be taken on an empty stomach. And always include lots of pets and praise to lessen their discomfort as much as possible.
Calmly, but firmly administer their medication
- Hold them securely on a flat surface and have them facing away from you with their hindquarters again your body.
- Take your free hand and tilt your cat’s head up gently.
- For liquid medicine place the tip of the syringe in the back corner of their mouth and squirt the medicine in between the cheek and gums.
- For a pill tilt their head up and then with your other hand grasp the pill/capsule in your thumb and forefinger. Use your middle finger to open the cat’s mouth and slide the pill down the center of the tongue.
Things you need to know:
Check with your vet before you try to mix the medication with food. Some pills can be hidden in treats and liquids mixed with wet food, but sometimes this can compromise the efficacy of the medication
You may want to get a Pet Pill Dispenser if you have a lot of medication to give them and have trouble getting them to swallow the pill. They run about $5-$10 and are shaped kind of like a syringe and makes getting the pill down much easier.
If you need more visual instruction then check out this video on giving you cat medication.
And don’t hesitate to call us, we’d be happy to help you administer any medication your cat need to get well!
