Getting your cat to swallow medicine can be a daily struggle, but it's important for keeping your cat healthy. If you're trying to persuade your cat to swallow the medicine, there are things you can do to help make the process a little easier, such as requesting a demonstration at the vet, using a diet containing special pills, or using a towel to control the cat. Keep reading this article to learn how to give your cat medication.
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Method 1 of 3: Determining the Best Way
Step 1. Consult a veterinarian
Before giving medicine to your cat, you should consult your veterinarian first. The vet will examine the cat and determine the best course of action for the condition. If medication is needed, the vet will prescribe it and explain how to give it to the cat. Ask if you're not sure about the directions.
- Ask the vet for a demonstration. If you want to give your cat a pill without food, you may benefit from a demonstration by a veterinarian. Before leaving the clinic, ask if he can demonstrate how to administer medication to a cat. This will allow you to see the process and ask questions at the time.
- If your cat is sick, don't try to self-diagnose. Take the cat to the vet as soon as possible.
- Do not administer medications prescribed for humans to cats, other cats, or other pets.
Step 2. Read the medication instructions carefully
Before giving your cat any medication, read the instructions carefully and make sure you understand them. If you have any questions or concerns about the medication, contact your veterinarian. Some questions you may want to ask are:
- What time should the drug be given?
- Should the drug be given with or without food?
- How should the medicine be given? By mouth? By injection?
- What side effects may arise from this drug?
- How can I stay safe when giving medicine? Do you have to wear gloves?
Step 3. Decide how to give the cat the medicine
Before administering medication to your cat, make sure you have the best and clearest way to administer the medication. If you can treat your cat with food, this will be the easiest and most enjoyable way for you and your cat.
- With food If the medicine can enter the mouth with food, then the best option is to use Pill Pockets brand food or another type of food that cats prefer. You'll need to experiment with different types of food before looking for something your cat will really like.
- No Food If your cat needs to take medication on an empty stomach, you will need to use a dropper or carefully insert the pill into the cat's mouth while holding it in place. If you need to give liquid medicine, you will need to use a dropper to put the medicine in the cat's mouth while holding it in place.
Method 2 of 3: Giving Medicine with Food
Step 1. Purchase foods that are designated for drug administration
If the cat can swallow the medicine with food, then the best option is to use a commercial product such as Pill Pockets to hide the cat pills. You can find Pill Pockets at pet stores. If you can't find Pill Pockets or your cat doesn't like them, try using wet cat food to make small meatballs to hide the pills.
You can also look for Flavor Doh, which is another food brand for hiding pills
Step 2. Prepare the food
Put pills in Pill Pockets or Flavor Doh. Make sure the food sticks to the pill so the cat can't separate the pill from the food. Prepare a non-pilled food to give your cat after he eats a pill containing food.
If using wet cat food, make four small meat balls using a food that cats like and then put a pill in a meat ball. Pay attention to which meat balls the pills have put in
Step 3. Provide food
Give the cat food that has been prepared in a location he likes, such as a place where he usually eats or a favorite place to relax. If you use Pill Pockets or Flavor Doh, give the cat food and make sure he eats it. If he vomits, you can try again with a new food or use wet cat food to make small meat balls.
To feed your cat using wet cat food, give two of the four meatballs that don't contain pills. Then, give him the meat ball containing the pill and wait for him to swallow it. Continue with the last non-medicated meatball to help relieve the medicinal taste in the mouth. The last non-medicated meatball will prevent your cat from associating the cat food with a bad taste, making it easier to use this method
Step 4. Continue with non-medicated foods
After the cat has eaten its food in any way, be sure to continue with one of its favorite treats. You can also pet him and play with him if he wants. Just do whatever you can to make the experience enjoyable for him so he'll wait for the next time he takes his medication.
Method 3 of 3: Giving Medication without Food
Step 1. Prepare the medicine
Before controlling the cat, you need to prepare the medicine. If it has not been prepared, read the drug packaging label carefully before preparing the drug. Contact your veterinarian if you have any questions about how to administer the medication.
- Your vet may give you a pill pusher if you are going to give the pill without food. A pill pusher is like a dropper for pills, so you don't have to put your finger in the cat's mouth. If your cat is going to swallow liquid medicine, you will need to use a dropper.
- Double-check the dose of cat medicine and make sure you have prepared the correct dose.
- If the cat has to swallow the medicine without food, prepare a dropper containing 5 ml of water. You can give this water to the cat after giving the pill to make sure the cat swallows the pill and doesn't get stuck in the esophagus.
- Place the medicine near where you are holding the cat, so you can take the medicine as soon as the cat's mouth is open. For example, you could place the medicine on a tissue on a surface near you or ask someone to hold the medicine.
Step 2. Wrap the cat in a towel and only the head is visible
Wrap the cat like a burrito (rolled meat tortilla) by placing the cat in the center of the towel, pulling the sides of the towel, and quickly wrapping it. If you have to give your cat a pill without food, you should control it and put the pill in its mouth. If your cat isn't used to swallowing pills, it's likely that it will try to struggle. By wrapping your cat in a towel with only its head visible, you can prevent it from finding a grip on your body and running away. The towel will also help prevent the cat from scratching you.
- You can also try holding the cat on your lap while administering the medication, if this seems easier. You should still wrap the cat in a towel because it may keep trying to run.
- You should also seek help from a friend or family member if this is a new experience for the cat. That way, one of you can hold the cat and the other can administer the medicine with both hands.
Step 3. Use a high surface such as a high kitchen counter, vanity top, or washing machine
Any surface that is at least waist-high will make it easier for you to administer medication to your cat. Hold the cat (still wrapped in the towel) while its body is lying on the surface. If you are self-administering the medication, then one of the thighs should be pressed against the side surface and the arms wrapped around the cat's body.
Step 4. Open the cat's mouth
Use your thumb and ring finger to press the corners of the cat's mouth. The cat's mouth should begin to open when pressed. If the cat's mouth is not wide enough to allow the medicine to enter, use the other hand to gently press the cat's lower jaw.
Try not to put your fingers in the cat's mouth when you open it. Keep your fingers at the edge of your mouth and out of reach of your teeth
Step 5. Put the medicine in the cat's mouth
If using a pill pusher, insert the device into the back of the cat's tongue. If using a dropper, insert it between the cheek and the cat's teeth. Do not spray liquid medicine down the cat's throat or tongue. The liquid medicine is likely to get into the cat's trachea, where it can choke.
Continue with a dropper containing 5 ml of water if you are giving your cat the pills without food. Be sure to get the water in between the cat's cheek and teeth
Step 6. Close the cat's mouth and wipe its throat
After administering the medication, close the cat's throat and gently rub the throat under its chin. This will help encourage the cat to swallow the pill.
Step 7. Reward the cat for its cooperation
Even if you can't give your cat food in exchange for swallowing the medicine, you must do something to let him know that you are happy with him. Caress her body, play with her, and praise her, as soon as she finishes administering the medicine.
Tips
- A quick and sure way can help the pill or dropper get into the mouth before the cat becomes stressed or rebellious. This is why it is best to prepare medication before holding the cat.
- If your cat moves her head every time you open her mouth, try holding the loose skin at the nape of her neck for a more comfortable grip.
- If your cat is constantly running before being given medication, take him to a small room without hidden parts such as a wardrobe or bathroom and close the door. The process of administering medication will be much faster if you don't have to search the house for the cat every time it tries to run.
- Try to calm the cat down before it gets scared and runs away. Prepare the medicine, be calm, and give the medicine.
- You can also try to hide the tablets in cat food.
- Consider asking your vet if you can crush cat medicine into a powder or liquid. You can mix the medicine with tuna oil to give your cat. The tuna oil will help hide the medicinal taste.
