Effective Cat Medication Administration Guide
It's not uncommon to feel a bit apprehensive about giving medication to our feline friends. We worry about the possibility of being bitten or unsure of the right way to administer the drugs. Let's take a moment to practice how to properly give medication to our cats. With practice, it becomes second nature, and after the first attempt, the process becomes much more straightforward.
How to Administer Medication to Your Cat
Manual Feeding
The key to manual feeding is timing. Cats have a brief moment when their mouths are open, and if you keep them open for too long, they may become uncomfortable. Generally, after you open a cat's mouth, it will close again within 12 seconds, and you need to be ready to catch that moment.
Manual feeding is suitable for:
Medications that can be held in your hand, such as crushed tablets or whole capsules.
How to manually feed medication:
Place your cat on your lap. With your right hand, use your thumb and forefinger to pick up the pill. With your left hand, gently stroke and lift your cat's head back to about a 45degree angle. Use your left hand to hold the lower jaw, prompting the cat to naturally open its mouth. If the cat doesn't open its mouth, gently touch the gums. Once the mouth is open, quickly place the pill at the back of the tongue. Remember, it's not about throwing it in; it's about gently inserting it with your hand.
After inserting the pill, gently blow on the cat's nose to stimulate swallowing. Close the cat's mouth with both hands, and gently rub the throat to ensure the pill is swallowed. Wait a moment to confirm that the medication has been ingested before releasing your hold.
Using Tools for Feeding
Using a medication dispenser is safer and more suitable for beginners.
Tools for feeding are suitable for:
Solid medications like tablets and capsules, as well as liquid medications such as various powdered and liquid formulations.
How to use a feeding tool:
Similar to manual feeding, the process with a feeding tool involves some additional preparation before the actual feeding. Once prepared, the feeding process is largely the same.
Most feeding tools consist of two parts: a syringe for liquids and a tablet holder. For example, to feed a capsule, first use the syringe to draw in a small amount of water to help the cat swallow. The water should not be too much to avoid choking the cat.
Next, use the tablet holder to secure the capsule, ensuring it is tightly fastened to prevent the cat from swallowing it. Place the cat on your lap, lift the head, and open the mouth. Insert the feeding tool at the back of the tongue, injecting the liquid and capsule. After removing the tool, gently blow on the cat's nose and hold the head for a moment to ensure swallowing.
Newcomers to cat medication can use feeding tools, but once they're comfortable, they may find that they only need the syringe for liquids, as it can be timeconsuming.
Feeding with Food
This method involves mixing the medication with food so that the cat takes the drug while eating. However, it's not recommended due to potential interactions between certain medications and food, which could affect the drug's effectiveness or exacerbate adverse reactions.
Additionally, the timing of feeding with food is unpredictable, and the cat may refuse to eat if it detects the medication's taste. If you must use this method, consider using a baby bottle to feed the mixture, which is a more controlled approach than mixing with canned food.
Feeding with food is often a conveniencedriven method, more common among beginners. If you're still uncomfortable with the process, investing in a feeding tool can be a safer and more convenient option.
If you're unable to manage the medication yourself, it's best to take your cat to a veterinary clinic. Let the professionals handle these tasks to avoid any delays in treatment.
