How To Give Liquid Medicine To A Difficult Cat

Giving Liquid Medication to Cats

The most convenient approach to provide liquid medicine to your cat is to mix it in with some canned food. It is preferable to combine themedication into a little bit of canned food that you serve to your cat by hand rather than mixing it into a big bowl of food that the cat may not finish. Some cats may be averse to eating the food, or they may have dietary limitations that preclude you from employing this strategy in their situation. Consequently, you will need to inject the prescription straight into the cat’s mouth if this is the situation.

Make certain you have thoroughly read the prescription label and that you understand the dose instructions.

When administering medication that has been refrigerated, you may wish to reheat it by holding the syringe tightly in your hand for a minute or two, or by putting it in a warm water bath for a few minutes.

Prepare a space where you will be able to securely handle the cat.

The placement of your cat in your lap may prove to be the most convenient option if you are delivering the medicine by yourself.
It may also be beneficial to have someone else hold the covered cat while you deliver the medicine the first few times.
Allowing the cat to lick the medication off the tip of the syringe while slowly depressing the plunger is the first step (many cats accept medication more readily if it is warmed up as mentioned above).
The mouth will then slightly open as a result of this.
Make careful to slant the syringe slightly to the side so that the drug is deposited onto the tongue by the tip of the syringe.
A cat inhaling or aspirating fluids into its lungs is therefore more likely to occur in this situation.
It is not necessary to re-medicate unless you are convinced that none of the medicine has been taken.” Squeeze the syringe slowly to release the liquid medicine into the air.
The majority of cats will spit out a portion of their medicine.
When determining the appropriate quantity of medication for your cat, your veterinarian will have taken a little amount of loss into consideration.

This will help to make the experience more positive and may make it simpler to administer the drug the next time it is administered. After each use, carefully clean the dropper or syringe with water and, if required, place the leftover medication in the refrigerator to keep it cool.

Do You Struggle With Medicating Your Cat?

Many cat owners find it challenging to provide oral medicines to their feline companions. Regardless matter whether the medicine is in the form of a pill, capsule, or liquid, most cats will demonstrate some level of resistance if someone attempts to get the drug into their mouths. Recognizing how to medicate your cat correctly is critical since the efficacy of your cat’s therapy is dependent on the drug getting into his or her system! If you have a cat that is tough to treat, don’t give up hope just yet.

First and foremost, plan ahead of time!
Acceptance might be demonstrated by gently caressing the head and cheeks while delivering positive reinforcement.
It is best to start cautiously and use plenty of praise and rewards to encourage the desired behavior in your cat if she is averse to face and mouth interaction.
Because your cat will get accustomed to being handled around the head and mouth, it is possible that he or she may be more tolerant of oral treatments in the future.
Whenever you train your cat to expect a meal twice daily, you will have certain advantages if the time comes that your cat has to take an oral prescription.
A lot of drugs should be taken with a meal, for a variety of reasons.
If, on the other hand, the cat is on a feeding schedule, you can be certain that your cat ate the meal at the time the medication was administered.

You may use food to your advantage when it comes to medicating your cat!

Now, if and when the time comes for you to provide an oral prescription to your cat, your chances of success will rise if you can figure out a technique to get your cat to take the drug on his or her own will.

Providing oral medications at the start of meals, before the complete meal is served, is one of the most effective methods of coordinating medication delivery.

Some cats are so driven by food that they will consume treats that contain medications placed inside them.

Once the pill has been administered, you just scrunch or smooth the treat around the pill before offering it to your cat as a reward.

Consult with your veterinarian about alternative incredibly delectable treat options that might be appropriate for your particular cat if your cat has certain dietary limitations or demands.

The trick to administering any oral medicine is to place the delectable item containing the medication out first – when your cat is hungry – so that he or she will be more likely to consume it without recognizing that it contains medication within.

It is possible that the meal will not be effective in masking the drug.

Give the medication to the patient directly: You may need to experiment with a few different positions to find the one that works best for your cat.

Some cats are content to sit on their owners’ laps, while others may claw your legs as they attempt to escape.

Lift the head gently with your non-dominant hand and open the lips from the top with your dominant hand.

The risk of being bitten is unquestionably present with this strategy.

Otherwise, the medication will be sucked back up into your system!

They are useful because they prevent your fingers from getting into the cat’s mouth.

*Keep in mind that if you are administering the pill directly (whether with your hand or a pilling device), it is always best to wash the medication down to avoid it becoming stuck in the esophagus.

For liquid medications, owners have had success by positioning the syringe or dropper at one of the corners of the mouth and squirting the drug into the mouth with the other.

In addition, proceed with caution and avoid squirting the medication entirely down your cat’s throat, since this may cause your cat to cough or perhaps inhale part of the drug.

If you are unsuccessful with a pill, is there a liquid, injectable, or transdermal version that you can try?

If all of your other options fail, you can book an appointment to have your cat seen by a veterinarian for prescription administration.

Keep in mind that if your cat has been prescribed an oral medicine, it is because your cat’s doctor believes it is necessary.

If you are successful in getting the medication into your cat, we will be pleased! Whenever you have any problems, questions, or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact our staff for assistance! Dr. Clarissa Noureddine, DVM, MS, MS is the author.

Giving liquid medication to your cat – Buckeye Veterinary Clinic

Download Video Formats: MP4, WebM, and Ogg The most convenient approach to provide liquid medicine to your cat is to mix it in with some canned food. It is preferable to provide a modest amount of food that the cat is guaranteed to eat rather than a huge portion that the cat may not finish in order to ensure that the medicine is really consumed. Some cats may be averse to eating the food, or they may have dietary limitations that preclude you from employing this strategy in their situation. Consequently, you will need to inject the prescription straight into the cat’s mouth if this is the situation.

Instructions

Prepare your surroundings so that you have a safe atmosphere in which to handle your cat. Prepare the medicine and arrange it in a convenient location where it will be easily accessible. In the event that you are providing the medication on your own, you may find it most convenient to sit with your cat in your lap while doing so. It is possible that you will require assistance in restraining your cat by covering it in a blanket with only the head exposed
However, this is unlikely. Please double-check that you have thoroughly read the label and that you understand the dosage recommendations. Maintain control of the syringe with your dominant hand
Draw up the specified amount of liquid into the syringe using the plunger. To begin, attempt to allow the cat to lick the medication off the end of the syringe as you slowly depress the plunger of the syringe. Warmed to room temperature, the drug may be more readily accepted by your feline companion. If this does not work, gently grasp the cat by the scruff of the neck and gently remove the front paws off of your lap to reposition them. The mouth will open a little bit more
Place the tip of the syringe in the side of the mouth, exactly below one of the canine teeth
Repeat the procedure twice more. Make sure the syringe is positioned in the mouth just past the tooth line by moving it forward. When you are ready to distribute the liquid medication, squeeze the syringe slowly. Please go gently so that the cat has the opportunity to consume the beverage and take a breath. The majority of cats will spit out a portion of their medicine. BE SURE that NONE of the medicine has been consumed before re-medicating. If required, rinse the syringe well with water and place the medication in the refrigerator.

How to Give Medicine to a Cat (Yes, Even to a Difficult Cat)

Do you understand how to administer medicine to a cat? Before you attempt it at home, make sure you have explicit directions from your veterinarian. David Herraez Calzada is shown here. As a veterinarian, I’ve had the privilege of medicating hundreds of cats throughout the course of my career. And whether I’m attempting to teach others how to administer medicine to cats or medicating my own loving felines, it’s a difficult task to do! Over the course of 40 years, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing my home with several wonderful cats.

(not all at the same time).
Moreover, why did these individuals lose up on them?
I’m here to tell you that this is a very important subject, and it’s one that’s very dear to my own heart.
That’s not a good sign.

The Veterinarian’s Job

Discuss with you how much you know about administering medication to a cat in an open and honest manner
Inquire as to how much experience you have with this particular cat’s medication. Examine all of the medication’s various formulations, including tablet, liquid, and transdermal forms, before making a decision. If your cat requires polypharmacy (a number of drugs for a difficult disease or a number of illnesses), discuss honestly with your veterinarian about which treatments are the most necessary and whether it is feasible to have many medications compounded together. Make an appointment with a veterinary technician who will spend time with you to demonstrate how to deliver medicine to your cat.

It’s simple for veterinarians to send a customer home with a week’s worth of medicines without discussing the situation with them. In many circumstances, these cats will not receive the whole amount of medicine prescribed for them.

So, What’s the Trick Here?

It’s time to face the painful truth. There is no “one approach” that can be used to administer medicines to all cats by all persons. Several approaches will be discussed in detail below, beginning with willing cats (which should be straightforward) and on to the reluctant cats (impossible to pill). First, let’s go over some of the most significant information:

Fact: Some cats are incapable of being pilled. Fact: Some people are unable to pill a cat due to physical or emotional limitations. Fact: It is critical to create a medication schedule as soon as possible to ensure that the cat will be able to obtain the medications they require in some form or another. Fact: The link between humans and animals is extremely vital, and administering medication should not undermine that bond. Fact: It is up to you and your veterinarian to figure this out.

The first step is to cup the top of the cat’s head with the palm of your right hand (if you’re right-handed; left hand if you’re left-handed) and place it on the floor. It should be possible to get the cat to open their lower jaw by tilting their head back slightly. Photo:stratman2

How to Give Medicine to a Cat (When the Cat Is Willing)

Some cats are easy to pill than others. When I take the first medication, I am frequently able to determine this during the office exam. Despite the fact that it may not be as simple for the pet parent at home, I can typically tell if this is going to be a pleasant and effective pilling situation or if it is going to be a catastrophe. A right-handed person (which is what the most of us are) is shown in some internet instructions for how to give a cat a pill while holding the cat in their right arm and administering the pill with their left hand.

That does not work for me because I am a right-handed individual. After pilling thousands of cats, I’ve discovered that the most effective method for me is to snuggle the cat in the crook of my left arm while delivering the pill with my right hand into the cat’s mouth with my left.

Instructions for Giving a Cat a Pill

While you should always follow the directions supplied by your personal veterinarian, the following is a summary of the detailed instructions offered by Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine:

Cup the top of the cat’s head with the palm of your non-dominant hand. With your head tilted back, you should notice the cat’s bottom jaw opening. If this is not the case, you will have to pry the lower jaw open. Place the middle finger of your dominant hand into the cat’s mouth, over the little incisor teeth — NOT over the sharp fangs — while holding the pill between the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand (canines). Caution: The cat has the potential to bite. Work as rapidly as possible
Toss the pill as far back as you possibly can over the cat’s tongue
Close your mouth as fast as possible. Make gentle strokes around the cat’s neck to urge it to swallow, or blow into the cat’s nose.

Additional Tips and Reminders

Never approach the cat from directly in front of it. Cats are not fond of being approached in this manner. Instead of approaching the cat from the front, wrap your arms around it or approach from behind
Devise a strategy that will reduce tension. Figure out what works best for you and your cat, and make sure this pilling exercise is completed as soon as possible. The phrase “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again” does not hold true when it comes to cats. It’s like this in your cat’s head: “If at first you don’t succeed, try again and I’ll be beneath the bed.” Incorporate medicine into an existing regimen that includes food, treats, and other rewards for the cat. Even while technique works better with dogs, some cats may accept a medication in exchange for their supper.

Pill guns, such as this one for cats, are highly recommended by many people (even veterinarians). I’m not convinced by what you’re saying. Photograph by PETHOUZZ

How to Give Medicine to a Difficult Cat

Some cats are apprehensive about taking a tablet or capsule. As a result, it is virtually impossible. It’s just not going to happen with these cats, therefore you’ll have to come up with an other solution.

Pill Guns

I really don’t know. Perhaps they will be effective? For certain people, perhaps? Apill gun, sometimes known as “pet pillar,” is a short plastic device in which you place the pill and then insert a little plastic tube into the cat’s mouth and push, causing the pill to pass down the cat’s throat and out the other side. DACVECC member Dr. Tony Johnson, DVM, DACVECC recommends doing so because it keeps your hands away from your mouth and increases your chances of getting the pill in the sweet spot where swallowing is simpler than spitting it out.

Liquid Medication

Many individuals prefer to provide liquid meds to their cats, and this is achievable with a wide variety of treatments. So, what is the best way to provide liquid medication to a problematic cat? You provide the medicine in the same manner as you would administer a pill: you attempt to open the cat’s mouth and administer the dropperful of medication directly to the cat. Keep an eye out. The experts at Washington University warn that “liquids are more prone than tablets or capsules to unintentionally enter the windpipe.” Keep the cat’s head from being tilted forward to prevent the cat from breathing fluids into the windpipe.

Can you put liquid medicine in cat food?

When I prescribe a liquid, the most often requested question is “Can I combine it with her food?” The answer is yes. Probably not, to be honest. The reason behind this is as follows:

Not even kitty-flavored medication is particularly appetizing. Even if you combine liquid medications with cat food, if the cats don’t consume the food, they will not receive the medication! It appears to be a “Duh!” moment to me, but many people continue to put the medications in their meals and don’t seem to comprehend. Although the cat consumes part of the food, they are not receiving the recommended dosage
Food aversion. A large number of cats that require medicine are not feeling well. It is not a good thing if something causes them to avoid their food. When medications are mixed into food, it might cause food aversion. However, even if you cease placing medicine in the bowl, the cat may continue to shun the bowl for several days.

Do you want to know how to feed your cat liquid medication in food?

It is not something I would suggest. Because medicine has a bad flavor, the food also has a bad taste. It’s possible that your cat will quit eating the food completely. Photo:SchweitzerKarl

Compounding Pharmacies: An Alternative for Impossible-to-Pill Cats

Pets, particularly fussy cats, are now the focus of a specialized business that has emerged. These specialist pharmacies can synthesize practically any drug into a form that you and your veterinarian have both approved upon.

Pros of Compounded Flavored Formulas

Pills and liquids may be transformed into flavored medicines to suit your cat’s tastes and preferences. You can eat tuna, salmon, chicken, or whatever you like. The variety of flavors available is enormous, and transdermal gels are also available. These are the most popular when it is necessary to administer medications for an extended period of time, as is the case with hyperthyroid cats. In some cases, a little quantity of gel can be applied to the inner ear and absorbed via the skin. It is possible to formulate multiple medications (polypharmacy) together, which means that instead of giving three medications, you can give just one. A cat suffering from renal failure, heart illness, and/or hyperthyroidism may find this to be useful.

Cons of Compounded Flavored Formulas

The expense of having a drug compounded is higher. Some drugs we may give to cats on a long-term basis may be extremely affordable in tablet form, but they can cost up to three times as much if they are compounded.

Short Shelf Life

Whenever you combine a medication, it is typically only effective for 30–45 days. Because of this, you must be attentive in terms of phoning ahead and keeping up with your cat when it requires refills.

Convenience

Working with a compounding pharmacy can be a rewarding or frustrating experience. You can typically have your cat’s medications delivered to your home, but doing so requires planning ahead and ordering refills well before you run out. Some veterinarians may store the most widely used feline medications in a compounded form, but you must discuss this with your veterinarian before you run out of medication.

Quality

There are evil actors in any profession where money is to be earned, and the financial industry is no exception. Compounding veterinary pharmaceuticals necessitates the use of an ethical and highly qualified pharmacist who understands how to get the best medication and how to formulate it into a stable solution, flavored tablet, or gel. The pharmacy should be selected by your veterinarian, and you should follow his or her recommendations.

Bioavailability

Is your cat receiving the right dose of medication in the form that has been prescribed, and is all of the medication being absorbed effectively in their body?

Liquid suspensions must be constantly shaken to ensure that they remain in a uniform suspension. It is possible that transdermal gels are not as effective as administering an oral dosage of medicine. Follow all instructions (such as refrigerate or store in a cool, dark location) exactly as they are written.

Certain medications have the potential to become lodged in the cat’s throat, which can be problematic. Consult with your veterinarian about this. Photo:clickphoto

A Possible Problem With Dry-Pilling a Cat: Esophageal Strictures

Pills can readily become lodged in a cat’s esophagus, causing serious complications. The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach, allowing food and drugs to pass through. Cats are particularly susceptible to having tablets become trapped in their throat and unable to move. It is irritating to the cat’s throat when a pill becomes lodged in its esophageal passageway. It is possible that the irritation could progress to the point where a type of scarring (known as a stricture) would form, narrowing the esophagus and making it impossible for the cat to get food down into the stomach as a result of the restriction.

Doxycycline is an essential and commonly used feline antibiotic.

Recent research on feline esophageal strictures has advised that pet parents feed their cats around 5 mL (1 teaspoon) of water after giving them a medication.

You didn’t think the pilling was severe enough, did you?

Now, how about shoving a syringe full of water down your cat’s throat? Wishing you the best of luck with that. Here’s an instructional video from Concierge Mobile Animal Hospital on how to administer liquid medicine to a cat in addition to pill administration:

Final Thoughts on How to Give Medicine to a Cat

I’ve been doing this for quite some time. One of the most frustrating experiences a feline veterinarian may have is working up a wonderful kitty, diagnosing what is wrong, and recommending medicine – only to discover that the caring pet parent is unable to provide it. And they don’t tell me anything. So, if you don’t mind: Consult with your veterinarian. If you are unable to administer the drug as prescribed, get further instructions. Take a look around for alternatives. If you are unable to communicate openly with your veterinarian, locate another one.

References

“How to Administer Oral Medications to Your Cat.” “Medicating Your Cat,” Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington, D.C. The Ryan Veterinary Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
Catherine Sumner, DVM, DACVECC
And the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine “Drug Interactions” is an abbreviation for “drug interactions.” It is the responsibility of the MSPCA-Angell to ensure that the MSPCA-mission Angell’s is carried out in a professional and ethical manner. « Pill-Popping Pets: Is It Safe to Feed Pills to Your Dog or Cat?» Tufts University is home to the Cummings Veterinary Medical Center. Johnson, Tony, DVM, DACVECC
4th of September, 2018. “Pilling Dogs and Cats,” as the phrase goes. The 17th of September, 2014, Veterinary Partner. id=6448413 Boothe, Dawn Merton, DVM, PhD, DACVIM, DACVCP
Boothe, Dawn Merton “Transdermal Gel Delivery in Cats: Is It a Pain or a Necessity?” (Proceedings).” 1st of May, 2011. dvm360. sk= date= pageID=4 sk= date= pageID=4 sk= date= pageID=4
Marty Becker, DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine). The article “Something You Might Not Have Known About Pilling Cats” can be found here. Dr. Marty Becker’s Blog, published on September 17, 2014
German, Alex, BVSc, PhD, DipECVIM-CA, MRCVS, published on September 17, 2014. Doxycycline-induced Oesophageal Strictures in Cats,” a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. In the February 2005 issue of the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, pages 33–41 are included.

Dr. Debora Lichtenberg, VMD, a veterinarian, has prepared the following information about pet health. The most recent inspection was performed on July 30, 2019. If you have any questions or concerns, you should consult with your veterinarian, who is the most qualified to guarantee the health and well-being of your animal companion. Please remember that this material is intended just for informative reasons and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Administering Liquid Meds to your Feline Friend

Many people feel that administering liquid medicine is the most convenient option. If your veterinarian has prescribed a pill, capsule, eye drops, or an injection, you may wish to inquire as to whether it is feasible to obtain the medications in liquid form instead of pill or capsule form.

Get Prepped

Having a friend or family member hold your cat is preferable, but we recognize that this is not always feasible. Instead, cover your cat in a blanket or big towel, but leave her head exposed so she may look about. This will give you the greatest amount of control. Putting her between your knees while sitting on the floor is a comfortable posture for the majority of individuals.

Technique

Ready? Read the label on the drug bottle to find out if food should be consumed with or avoided while taking the medication. It’s time to shake the bottle and start your cat back on the road to good health.

To administer the drug, a dropper or syringe should have been included with the package. Fill the dropper or syringe halfway with the specified dose of medication and close the container. If you are right-handed, hold the syringe in your right hand
If you are left-handed, hold the syringe in your left hand. Using your other hand, firmly grasp the top of your cat’s head, placing your thumb on one side of the hinge of the jaw and your fingers on the other. The tip of the syringe or dropper should be placed in the corner of your cat’s mouth behind the canine teeth, between the cheek and the teeth, and aimed in a direction toward the rear of your cat’s head. You should avoid tilting your cat’s head back since this may lead him to inhale the medication. To empty the syringe, squeeze the dropper or depress the syringe plunger. Keep your cat’s jaws closed while her head is in the typical posture. Encourage her to take the pills by gently rubbing her throat or blowing on her nose. Remove any medicine that may have gotten on her face with a soft, damp towel and set it aside. Reward your cat with a treat that has been recommended by your veterinarian, as well as plenty of praise.

Pro Tips

We are well aware that it is sometimes easier stated than done. The good news is that with practice, this becomes less difficult. Also, we’ve included some “pro-tips” that you might find useful.

Trim the nails on your automobile before you drive it to minimize undesired scratching. Ideally, you’ll want to complete this process at least a few hours (if feasible, a day) before delivering medications. In order for both you and your cat to feel more acquainted with the notion, you might perform a practice run with only water in your syringe. Even if your cat’s problem appears to be addressed, it is important to complete the medicine as prescribed by the veterinarian. There’s a reason you were given as much as you were
There’s a reason for everything. After each pill, show your cat plenty of attention to show your appreciation. They will remember this and it will be easier for them the next time they require their prescription.

If you’re still apprehensive, tell your veterinarian. He or she will be more than delighted to assist you in administering the first dosage of medication.

Step-By-Step Instructions for Giving Your Cat Medication

When your pet becomes ill and requires medication, it is never a pleasant experience. This may be quite distressing for both you and your cat at the same time. Cats are notorious for being picky eaters, even when they are well, and this is exacerbated even further when they are sick. In this post, you will learn about our advice and suggestions to assist you effectively administer medication to your cat and get them feeling better. Are you concerned about the well-being of your pet? Within minutes, you may schedule a video consultation with an experienced veterinarian.

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Always follow the directions provided by your veterinarian when administering medication to your cat. Some drugs must be administered on an empty stomach or are not permitted to be administered with meals. While some cats may readily consume their medication when it is concealed in a nice treat, others will frequently eat around the pill or capsule or will just refuse to consume the treat containing the prescription altogether. Cats rely on their excellent sense of smell to drive their hunger, which may be diminished when they are unwell, making it harder to deliver treats that have medication buried inside them to them.

For liquid meds, you may even practice in the exam room by using little treats that are comparable in size to the drug or a syringe filled with water for practice.

Prepare to Give Your Cat’s Medication

Read and adhere to the directions on the medication’s label, which include:

How often does the medicine need to be administered
Does the drug need to be administered with food or on an empty stomach
And other questions. Is it possible to take this drug with other prescriptions or supplements, or do they need to be taken at different times? If the drug is a liquid, does it need to be shaken before use? If the medicine has been refrigerated, remove it from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature in a warm water bath (never microwave medication)

Prepare by keeping medications, canned food, pill pockets, and snacks within easy reach at all times. Bring your cat into a quiet area in a calm manner. Lay a familiar towel or blanket over your lap or on a table, and spray it with Feliway (a relaxing pheromone treatment that you may get from your veterinarian’s office) to soothe your cat. Assure your cat with a calm, soothing voice and soft caressing (if your cat is accustomed to receiving such treatment). Wrapped in a blanket or towel with only their head poking out, cats feel more secure and safe.

If you see that your cat is growing worried, upset, or furious, take a break and give them some delectable treats, or even give them some time to settle down before trying to calm them down again and again.

How to Give Your Cat Pill or Capsule Medication

Make a tiny “meatball” of canned cat food or delectable pill pockets (which may be bought at your veterinarian’s office or local pet store) to begin with. Offer this to your cat without administering any medicine to see whether he or she is interested in eating it. If this is the case, place the medication in the middle of the “meatball” or pill pocket and position it close to your cat’s location. If your cat chews into the medication, it may leave an unpleasant taste in their mouth, making it more difficult to treat them and causing the pill or capsule to partially disintegrate.

It’s important to remember that a cat’s mouth is full of bacteria, and that cat bites may be extremely unpleasant and even infected.

You may be tempted to disguise your cat’s prescription in food such as cheese or tuna; however, doing so may cause stomach discomfort, so consult your veterinarian before introducing anything other than their usual food into their diet.

If you do, the medicine may become bitter or cause oral irritation or other difficulties, making it much more difficult to treat your cat.

2. Giving Pills or Capsules Directly into the Mouth Without Food

Oral medications (those that are taken by mouth) are available in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquids. Preparing the drug is as simple as holding the tablet or capsule in your dominant hand between your index finger and thumb. Additionally, a little piece of kibble that is approximately the same size as the pill or capsule can be used to practice. If your dominant hand is your right hand, your cat should be sitting with their head looking towards the right, and if your dominant hand is your left hand, your cat should be sitting with their head facing left.

You will gently grip the cheekbones of your cat’s head on either side of their head.

In order to maintain the lower jaw’s open position, place one of your remaining fingers on the hand that has the pill or capsule on one of the lower incisors (the little teeth between the long sharp fangs or canine teeth).

To urge your cat to swallow, place the tablet or capsule as far back over the tongue as you possibly can, instantly seal their mouth, and softly blow on their nose.

If your cat is having trouble swallowing, you can gently massage or rub their throat/neck area. Cats will frequently drool or salivate excessively as a result of the bitter taste of several drugs. If your cat is experiencing this, you should discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.

3. Using a Pilling Device or Pill Popper to Give Medication

When you give your cat pills or capsules, using a pill popper keeps your fingers out of their mouth, which is safer for both of you. Have your veterinarian or veterinary technician demonstrate how to safely use a pill popper because if used incorrectly, a pill popper has the potential to cause injury to your cat’s throat.

How to Give Your Cat Liquid Medication

The most convenient approach to provide liquid medicine to your cat is to mix it in with his canned food. Combining a tiny quantity of their regular canned food with their liquid medicine and hand-feeding them will guarantee that they receive the full dose of their medication. Cats can be finicky eaters, and they may refuse to consume the food that contains the prescription. As a result, you will have to administer the drug straight into their oral cavity.

2. Giving Liquid Medications Directly into the Mouth Without Using Food

Offer the medicine to your cat while holding the syringe or dropper with the medication in your dominant hand – some cats may lick the drug from the tip of the syringe. As your cat licks and takes the medication, you may carefully press the plunger or squeeze the dropper to release the medication. You can gently hold your cat’s head by their cheekbones with your non-dominant hand and gently insert the tip of the syringe or dropper in the space between the cheek and the teeth inside their mouth if they are not willing to sip the liquid.

When administering liquid drugs to your cat, avoid tilting the cat’s head back, since this increases the danger of the medication being inhaled into the windpipe and lungs.
If you are not certain that they did not ingest any of the liquid, do not provide extra medicine.
If your cat is experiencing this, you should discuss your concerns with your veterinarian.
If the drug label specifies that it should be stored in the refrigerator, do so.

After Giving Your Cat Medication

Make sure to give your cat plenty of praise. Give special snacks or canned food to make the experience more pleasant, and this will ideally make it simpler to administer the medication the following time.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Administering Eye Medication to Your Pet Learn how to administer medication to your dog or cat using a “spot on” method.

Have more questions about medicating your cat?

Make an appointment for a video consultation to speak with one of our veterinarians.

How to Give Liquid Medicine to a Difficult Cat

Petkeen is entirely sponsored by its readers. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of our affiliate links, we may receive a commission. Read on to find out more Nicole Cosgrove is a model and actress. Cats, like the majority of animals, dislike taking medicine, and this is no exception. However, no matter how tough your cat is to deal with, you must provide the medication in order for them to recover. Medicine can be found in both tablet and liquid form on the market. In this piece, we’ll look at how you may provide liquid medication to your problematic cat.

You may give them the medicine by making it more appealing to their taste buds, or you can utilize a strategy that will assist you in administering the medication to your cat more effectively. Here are some suggestions on how to provide liquid medication to your reluctant cat.

Mix The Liquid Medicine with the Cat’s Food

Image courtesy of karinrin/Shutterstock.com When medication is combined with food, cats are unable to distinguish it as medicine. Consider integrating liquid medication into your wet food regimen. In addition, make sure to advise the veterinarian if your cat is on any other medications. When you combine the medicine with the food, use only a small amount of the food so that the cat consumes the entire meal and does not leave any food behind. Generally, this is the most you will have to do to persuade most cats to take their medication.

Use a Syringe

If your cat is unable to consume their prescription when it is combined with food, you will need to deliver the medication via a syringe to ensure that the drug is consumed. Using a syringe to administer medicine to them is not simple, but with a little planning, the process will be less stressful. The following are the critical stages that you must take:

Step 1: Prepare Your Materials

Prepare an Area with a Towel — You will need to prepare a location with a towel in the area where you will deliver the medication. Later on, you will use the towel to wrap the cat in order to keep them motionless and prevent them from scratching. You’ll need a large towel, and make sure to spread it out flat on the surface where you’ll be administering the medication before you start working. In order to work efficiently, it is necessary to work at an appropriate height, such as a countertop or table. Prepare Your Medicine – You will need to read and adhere to the directions provided by the veterinarian while taking your medication. Preparing the drug for administration is usually a time-consuming process that requires shaking the container. If you are delivering the drug directly from the bottle, you will need to place it on a level surface that is simple to reach from the dosage location
Otherwise, you will need to place it on a raised surface that is easy to reach from the dosing area. Prepare the Syringe – You must fill the syringe with the specified amount of medicine before you can start the procedure. Make certain that you follow the directions and that you measure accurately. As soon as you have measured the medicine into the syringe, place it within easy reach of where you will be administering it.

Step 2: Prepare Your Cat

In order to get the best results, it is best if you place your cat in the dosing area, which is typically the area where the towel is placed. Make certain that your tone is cheerful, soothing, and relaxing in order to maintain the cat’s calm. Make sure the cat is in the center of the towel, facing you
And Immobilize Your Cat –This stage entails making certain that your cat does not escape or squirm while the medication is being administered. If your cat has a placid demeanor, this may be sufficient to keep it contained. If you have a second person to assist you, you should grab each cat’s shoulder and clasp their upper forelegs tightly together. This will assist in keeping the cat quiet and preventing them from raising their front paws to scratch at the table surface. In order to prevent your cat from sliding sideways or backing away, the person aiding you might hug your cat to your stomach or chest while you sleep. If your cat is wriggling, it is probable that they may scratch you. Ideally, you should wrap the cat with a towel to keep him warm. Wrap them up in a tight manner, allowing just their head to protrude. Wrapping them in a towel ensures that their claws are safely tucked away and that they will not scratch you while you are sleeping. To efficiently wrap your cat, you must fold half of the towel over the cat’s back and repeat the process with the other half of the towel until the cat is completely contained in the towel (see illustration). Remove any slack from the towel over the neck, ensuring that the legs are firmly pushed against the torso and securely contained within the towel at all times. Allow a person who is assisting you to place their hands outside the towel over the cat’s shoulders in order to help balance the animal. To Open the Cat’s Mouth, form an inverted C on the inside of your cat’s mouth with your forefinger and the thumb of your left hand. Make sure that your thumb and fingertips are resting on either side of your cat’s mouth, and that your palm is resting on the cat’s forehead when you are holding him. With your thumb and fingertip, press inwards, pressing the cat’s upper lip over the upper cheek teeth – the molars – until the upper lip is pressed against the upper cheek teeth. To administer the medication to the cat if you are left-handed, it is best to use your right hand to open the cat’s mouth so that you can use your left hand to administer the medicine. It is possible to open your cat’s mouth slightly wider with this method, which prevents them from biting their lip, thereby reducing the likelihood of them biting you as well. Raise the chin of your cat – As soon as you have opened the cat’s mouth, you should turn it so that it is facing the ceiling. By rotating your grip while making certain that your grip does not shift, you can easily accomplish this. When you tip the cat upward, it helps the lower jaw drop a little and open the mouth wider

Step 3: Administer the Medication

Place the Syringe in the Cat’s Mouth – Place the syringe in the cat’s mouth slightly behind the bottom teeth and at an angle above the tongue. The Medicine Should Be Administered– Slowly press the syringe plunger to inject approximately a milliliter of fluid into the cat’s mouth. When the medication gets into the cat’s mouth, the cat will attempt to swallow it. It is possible that you will need to relax your wrist to allow your cat to drop their head into a natural swallowing position if your cat lowers its head to swallow. Continuation of the Dosing Process– Once the cat has completed swallowing the initial milliliter, continue the process until the syringe is completely empty.

Step 4: Reward the Cat with a Treat

Photograph courtesy of Andriy Blokhin/Shutterstock. Once you’ve finished, carefully unwrap your cat while talking to them. Most of the time, the cat will run away after you, but if you show it some compassion and offer it a reward, it will not. Offering your cat a reward makes your cat less resentful of the medicine treatment, which makes the process much easier the next time you administer the medication to your cat.

Conclusion

Giving your cat liquid medicine may be a time-consuming endeavor. However, if you are adequately prepared, it may be a piece of cake for both you and your feline companion to navigate. Credit for the featured image goes to thodonal88 through Shutterstock. Nicole is the fortunate owner of two cats: Baby, a Burmese cat, and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway dog. Nicole, a Canadian expat, now lives in New Zealand with her Kiwi spouse on a lush forest property surrounded by nature. In addition to having a great affection for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and a special fondness for healthy interspecies friendships), she wishes to share her animal expertise, as well as the information of other experts, with pet lovers all around the world.

Nicole Cosgrove

Nicole is the fortunate owner of two cats: Baby, a Burmese cat, and Rosa, a New Zealand Huntaway dog. Nicole, a Canadian expat, now lives in New Zealand with her Kiwi spouse on a lush forest property surrounded by nature. In addition to having a great affection for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and a special fondness for healthy interspecies friendships), she wishes to share her animal expertise, as well as the information of other experts, with pet lovers all around the world.

How to Give a Cat Liquid Medicine

How to Administer Liquid Medications to a Cat The majority of animals despise having to take drugs. The situation was made even more problematic by the fact that the liquid antibiotics provided by the veterinarian, despite being labeled for veterinarian use, were clearly diverted from normal human use due to the fact that it was pink in color and smelled like bubble gum. It is one thing for a cat to take regular medicine, but bubble gum-flavored antibiotics are a another story. There are two things that a person may do to make medicating a cat a lot more enjoyable experience for both you and the cat: Firstly, make the drug more appetizing by improving its taste!

If you follow these two tips, you will significantly boost your chances of success while also ensuring that you and your cat stay friends.

My “alternative” way of subduing the scared cat with a towel and making it gag medication has worked well for me. I recommend that you follow the procedure detailed in the next two stages.

Step 1: Make the Medicine Taste Better

1. Improve the taste of the medication Making the medication taste better by mixing it with the liquid from a can of tuna fish is a simple tip to improving its flavor. Was there ever a cat that did not enjoy tuna? You will require the following materials: A.Medicine is the first step. B.Tuna can in water with ice cubes (and can opener) Syringe for administration of medicine orally D.Two little ‘cups’ of liquid Measure the necessary amount of medicine into the oral syringe and then dispense it into one of your cups, as shown in the diagram.

(3) Draw up a substantial amount of ‘tuna juice’ using the oral syringe, but be mindful of the overall capacity of your syringe so that the medicine and ‘tuna juice’ do not total more than the capacity of your syringe, unless you want to give your cat the medicine in two doses.

In a separate bowl, combine the medication and ‘tuna juice’ and fill the oral syringe halfway with the combined concoction.

Yumm!

Step 2: Use the Proper Technique

2.Administer the medication in the proper manner using the proper technique. A quick search on the internet will reveal that the most effective method of administering liquid medicine to a cat is to fill an oral syringe with the appropriate amount of medicine, gently insert the syringe into the side of the cat’s mouth, and gently pull the syringe back up into the corner of the cat’s mouth. In this position, the medicine may be distributed slowly as the cat eats it. Once the syringe is in this corner-of-the-mouth position, the drug can be delivered slowly as the cat swallows it.

My cat was sitting on my lap in the video, and I wasn’t even holding her; she simply sat there and gladly took the medication.

Be the First to Share

Medicating your cat at home is something that no one enjoys, especially if you have a difficult feline companion. Do not be disheartened if you are going through a difficult moment, though. Things is possible to make it much easier with the appropriate strategy!

The Basics

Make sure you are familiar with the medication’s usage instructions. If you have any queries, don’t be hesitant to ask them of your veterinarian or pharmacist. Note – If you’ve tried all of these suggestions and are still having difficulties, consult your veterinarian to see if there is another type of the medication you may give your cat (for example, a liquid, pill, injectable, or transdermal gel) that you can try.

All of your materials (medicine, syringe/piller, towel, and reward) should be available when you pick up your cat. Prepare your cat’s food in advance.

How to Give Medication with Food

First, check with your veterinarian to see if it’s possible to provide the prescription together with meals. In fact, it is possible that certain drugs will have to be administered with food! Others, on the other hand, cannot be administered in this manner, so always check with your veterinarian. Start by dissolving the tablet or liquid in a tiny amount of your cat’s favorite canned food, or another comparable treat.

Maintain a safe distance between them and any other pets. 3. Keep an eye on them to ensure that they consume all of the food. Attempting to eat around a pill or spitting it out is not unusual in certain felines’ behavior.

How to Give Medication by Hand

If you are unable to include the medicine into your cat’s diet, you will need to provide it to them directly. It might be beneficial to enlist the assistance of a second party on occasion. 1. Gather your materials and equipment. 2. Stand with your back against the wall and your cat’s back against you (i.e. nestled into the crook of your arm) so that they are unable to back away. 3. If they have a tendency to wriggle, consider using a towel to keep them still. Place them on the towel and wrap the towel over the front of them so that they can’t pull their front legs out and scratch you while you’re sleeping.

When you have restrained them, it is now possible to provide their medication to them.

6 – Gently raise their head to enable their mouth to drop open completely.

In the rear corner of their mouth, insert your syringe or pill dispenser, then give them the medication.

(Occasionally, cats will not consume everything on the first attempt.

Once you’ve finished, give your cat a treat so that they may begin to associate this with a happy experience.

We’re here to assist you!