Learn how to give your cat medicine in five easy steps!Cat owners are often afraid of giving medication. Your cat doesn’t like pills, you don’t want to force it, and you know it needs to be treated. Is this your case? Then the following tips might help you.
Find out how to handle the medicine
Before taking the medication home, ask your veterinarian the following questions:
- Can I crush the tablet?
- Can it be taken with food?
- How big is one dose?
- How many doses are given daily?
Memorize the answers well and always remind yourself of them before you start physically preparing your cat for the medication. This will save you not only time but also your nerves.
Prepare everything you need
Before you go to catch your feline patient, have a large towel ready, remove the powder from the tray and place it in a tablet applicator (if you have one). If there is another person nearby, ask them for help.
Prepare your cat for medication
Spread a towel on a table or other flat surface, place your cat on it, and wrap it tightly (like a baby wrapped in a swaddle). All four paws should be wrapped tightly in the towel, leaving only the head free.
If you have a helper, ask them to hold your cat tightly while you wrap it. If you are alone, try holding your cat wrapped in the towel between your knees. Speak to your cat in a soothing voice the entire time so that she knows she is safe and everything is okay.
We administer the tablet in five steps
When administering the powder itself, follow the following procedure:
- Hold the wrapped cat firmly and use your non-dominant hand to tilt its head back.
2. Use your thumb and index finger to grasp the cat’s upper jaw and gently squeeze it. This will force it to open its mouth.
3. With your other hand, push the powder as far as possible into the cat’s mouth. You can also use a pill applicator, a tool that resembles a large syringe and allows you to administer the pill without having to get your fingers too close to the cat’s teeth.
4. Once you have the powder in place, gently close your cat’s mouth and hold it closed until you feel it swallow. You can also encourage it to swallow by stroking its neck under its chin.
5. Watch for vomiting after administration (applies to all orally administered medications).
Remember that every cat is different. Even if you follow our advice exactly, it may not work for your cat. If you are still having trouble administering the medication, seek advice and assistance from your veterinarian.
Alternative ways to administer powders
It will be easier with medications that can be taken with food – you can give them to your cat in various disguises.
For example, try special “pill pouches”, temptingly smelling treats with a hole in which you hide the powder. But to be sure, always check that the cat has actually swallowed the medicine along with the treat – some cunning cats can detect the pill and spit it out discreetly. Another option is to crush the tablet and mix it with, for example, a can of cat food.
Don’t let giving your cat medication make you nervous. Giving pills can sometimes be tricky, but with our simple tips, you and your cat will be able to handle it.