How to Stop My Cat From Licking Topical Medications

Getting a cat to stop licking is difficult. Licking is a natural response for a cat, especially if there is an area of pain or injury on the cat̵7;s body. Even more difficult is to get a cat to stop licking an area of the body it thinks is dirty, such as an area where you have applied a topical medication. There are times when you may have to apply a medication to your cat and you will need to know what you can do to keep your cat from licking off the medication, even though it will be a fight against the cat̵7;s natural instincts.

Things You'll Need

  • Topical ̶0;stop-licking̶1; product designed for cats
  • Bandages
  • First aid tape
  • Elizabethan collar
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Apply the topical medication to a part of the cat̵7;s body, such as just between the shoulder blades, where the feline can̵7;t lick̵2;unless the medication is for a wound treatment or must be applied to a particular area of the body.

    • 2

      Apply the topical medication just before feeding your cat. If the medication is of a type that dries, the meal should distract your cat long enough for the medication to dry.

    • 3

      Apply a topical product with a bitter taste if the meal is not enough of a distraction. There are various products on the market designed to keep the cat from licking areas of wounds or where you have applied medication. You should consult a veterinarian before using these products to ensure they will not interfere with the medication you applied. Unfortunately, many cats will continue to lick even after the bitter-tasting solution is applied.

    • 4

      Cover the wound with a bandage if the bitter-tasting solution doesn̵7;t work. First-aid tape may be necessary to hold the bandage in place and to keep the cat from removing the bandage. Unfortunately, some cats will slip their bandages and go back to licking.

    • 5

      Attach an Elizabethan collar designed to keep cats from licking medication, wounds or sutures. Cats hate these collars that form a cone around their heads, but they are the only guaranteed way to keep the cat from licking off the topical medication. The collar can be removed once the medication has dried or if you are present to supervise your cat̵7;s behavior. The cat shouldn̵7;t be allowed outside while wearing the collar.