How to Give a Paste Medication to a Cat

Getting your cat to take his medication can be quite tricky. Cats are slippery and can run away before you get the medication in their mouths. If you put the medication in their food, they are usually smart enough not to eat it. But if your vet prescribes a daily amount of pasty medication, you must follow through. There are steps you can take to make the job a success.

Things You'll Need

  • Table
  • Friend or family member
  • Pillow case
  • Medication
  • Eye dropper
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove the tablecloth from your table. You need a flat surface that your cat cannot dig his nails in to. Pick your cat up and set him on the table.

    • 2

      Ask a friend or family member to help you out. Having an extra pair of hands to hold and comfort the cat will benefit everyone.

    • 3

      Set the cat inside of a pillow case if he's not sitting still on the counter. Make sure the cat's head is sticking out so that you can give him the medication.

    • 4

      Use one hand to hold the upper jaw open. Do this by placing a thumb on one end of the cat's upper lip, and your pointer finger on the other side of the upper lip. Your cat's mouth will automatically open.

    • 5

      Tilt the cat's head backward, and place the paste inside of the back of his mouth. Then let go of the cat's mouth. Cats don't generally spit out their food so there is a good chance he will swallow it.

    • 6

      Use an eye dropper to drip a few drops of water in the cat's mouth. This will stimulate the cat to swallow the medication if he's hesitant.

    • 7

      Massage the cat's throat if he still hasn't gotten all of the paste down.

    • 8

      Let the cat out of the pillow case when he has swallowed all of the medicine.