Easy Cat Medication Tips for Pet Parents

Here are various common and special methods for administering medication:

Part 1: Standard Medication Administration Techniques

1. Hold the medication in your hand and, as the cat's mouth opens, gently push the pill from the corner of its mouth into its throat. If you succeed, well done! Your cat's cooperation has outshone 99% of felines nationwide. If not, don't be discouraged; proceed to step 2.

2. Lift the cat, wrapping one arm around it, and use the other hand to gently press on the cat's cheeks to open its mouth. Placing the cat on a raised surface with a towel or blanket, such as a dressing table or workbench, can make the process easier. Alternatively, you can sit in a chair, lift the cat, and place it bellyup between your legs.

3. Use your thumb and ring finger to pinch the cat's cheeks, and your middle and index fingers to lift its nose slightly. Be careful not to block the nostrils; your fingers should be on either side of the nose.

4. Slide the medication into the cat's mouth from the corner. If it seems difficult to swallow, offer a little water to help. For liquid medications, avoid dripping it directly onto the tongue or throat to prevent it from entering the trachea and causing the cat to choke. Instead, insert the dropper between the cat's cheek and teeth.

5. After administering the medication, gently pat the cat's throat and nose to encourage swallowing. Throughout the process, be gentle with your cat to encourage it to take the medicine. If these steps fail, don't worry; we have a final trick up our sleeve, so skip to step 6.

6. If the cat is uncooperative, you can use a medication syringe. Similar to a pill syringe, the rubber tip of the syringe can hold a pill. Insert the syringe into the cat's mouth at the corner and push the plunger to quickly get the pill down the cat's throat.

Part 2: Special Medication Feeding Techniques

1. When feeding gellike medications, such as tube medications (e.g., for preventing hairballs), place the required amount on your finger and then gently insert it into the cat's mouth. Let the cat lick it off. If the cat resists or there's medication left on your hand, simply rub the remaining gel on the cat's paws or around its mouth. The cat will then lick it off and digest it.

2. For solid pills, you can crush the pill and mix it with milk or cheese, then spread it on the cat's front paw. While the cat licks its paw, it will also ingest the medication.

Part 3: Important Notes

1. When administering liquid medications, you can use a paper towel with a small hole cut out to act as a bib for the cat. This will prevent the medicine from spilling everywhere.

2. Always be quick to place the pill in the cat's mouth before it starts to resist or show signs of anger. The difficulty in giving the cat another pill after it has become angry is significantly increased, which is why it's essential to have the appropriate dose of medication ready before controlling the cat.

3. If medication needs to be administered through other areas, such as eye drops or wound sprays, first ensure that the cat is completely still until the medication is absorbed.