If you own a cat, you’re well aware that the only thing harder and more unpleasant than dealing with a sick cat is persuading them to take their medicines. There are a few ways to get your cat to take his or her medicine. The most successful techniques differ based on the type of medication, whether it should be administered with food or on an empty stomach, and, of course, the cat receiving it.
Don’t be disheartened if you’re giving your cat medicine for the first time. Continue to experiment to find a winning strategy for your cat, and make sure they’re as relaxed as possible while being healthy. Use these helpful hints on how to administer a pill to your cat to make the procedure less unpleasant for both of you and get her back on her feet.
1] Holding Your Cat
Even being held can be stressful for some cats. As you pick up your cat, take care to speak to her in a calm and soothing voice. Wrap her in a towel or blanket and properly support her legs so they don’t droop, making her feel uneasy.
2] Liquid medicines
Liquid drugs are administered through a pouch that is placed between the teeth and cheek. Squirt the drug into the pouch quickly, then rub the cat’s neck or blowhard on its nose to stimulate swallowing. Compared to tablets or capsules, liquids are more prone to enter the windpipe by mistake. Do not bend the cat’s head backward to prevent fluids from entering the windpipe.
3] The Meatball
If your veterinarian permits you to give your cat medication in the form of a pill or capsule with food, this is a terrific method to do so. Begin by selecting a meal that can easily be rolled up into a meatball’ form that your cat enjoys—this may be your cat’s favorite wet food. It’s a good idea to supply a test meatball before actually putting medication in it if you’re attempting it for the first time. This guarantees that your cat will eat it! Place the tablet or capsule in the center of a little ball of food and give it to your cat once you’ve discovered a meal that you believe would work.
4] Food Gravy
If you’re searching for a different way of giving your cat medication, you can consider crushing it into powder. Don’t ever smash or grind medications in food or drink unless your veterinarian advises you to. Because crushed medicine has an unpleasant flavor, your cat will not get the entire dose. Always ask your vet’s approval before giving medicine to your cat in this manner. Mix the crushed medicine with a tiny amount of cat food gravy, that your cat (hopefully) will eat. The gravy’s rich flavor will mask the pill’s unpleasant flavor. Because many cats cannot digest dairy, don’t ever feed your cat medicine in milk.
5] Administering Injections
Certain conditions, such as diabetes, necessitate the administration of medicine through the skin. When delivering vaccinations, you’ll benefit from having a second pair of hands, so ask the aid of a friend to hold your pet in place using a towel or a tight but soft grasp. Depending on the prescription, a cat may need an injection in the hip, neck, or another location, so ask your doctor to demonstrate to you how and where to administer the injection. You must also choose if the injection should be administered into a muscle, vein, or skin fold. For each dosage, use a new needle and keep track of the time and date.
