How to Give Liquid Medicine to a Cat

If you're a cat owner, chances are good that you will, at some point, need to give your cat medication. Giving a cat medicine, especially liquid medicine, can be a difficult and messy endeavor. The following steps outline the process of restraining and administering a dose of liquid medication with the least amount of trauma for you or the cat.

Things You'll Need

  • Towel or cat restraint bag
  • Syringe or eye dropper
  • Liquid medicine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Make sure to get full instructions from your veterinarian about dosage, side effects and when to give the cat the medicine.

    • 2

      Place the cat on a waist-high table or counter top. A slippery surface will help keep the cat off balance and less able to struggle against you. If the cat struggles or attempts to claw or bite, wrap the cat's body and paws in a thick towel. (There are cat restraint bags available that serve the same purpose.) Have the correct dose of medication ready in the syringe or dropper.

    • 3

      With your left arm (if you're right-handed) pull the cat against your body. Hold the cat firmly against you.

    • 4

      Grasp the back and top of the cat's head in your left hand. Place your thumb and middle finger on either side of the cat's jaw and feel for the jaw hinge. Press in lightly until the jaw parts.

    • 5

      Take the dropper or syringe full of the correct dose of medicine. Place the tip of the syringe or dropper in the side of the mouth between the cat's teeth and cheek. Quickly dispense the liquid. It should go down the side of the cat's mouth into its throat, allowing the cat to swallow without gagging.

    • 6

      When finished dispensing the medicine, hold the cat's mouth closed for a few seconds and stroke her throat to make sure she swallows the entire dose.