Unfortunately, our beloved pets get sick and sometimes need to take medication as prescribed by the vet. Cats are very willful and independent, so giving a cat medication can be a tricky task. Depending on the type of medication prescribed, you can have an easier or harder time getting your cat to take the drugs that it needs to get healthy.
Things You'll Need
- Old towel
- Wet cat food
- Syringe
Instructions
Try wet food. It's easier on everyone if the cat will just take the medication on its own. If you have a cat with a healthy appetite, you might try slipping the pill into a spoonful of wet cat food. If the pill is too large to be gobbled down in a bite, chop it up into smaller pieces.
Wrap up the cat. To prevent damage to yourself and the cat, you can use the burrito method of pill giving. Get an old towel and pick up the cat. Cradle it in your arms inside the towel and then wrap up the cat with its arms and legs inside the towel and only its head sticking out.
Pry open the mouth. Using your finger, gently but firmly pry open the cat's mouth. Put the pill as far back on the tongue as possible and then close the cat's mouth. Holding the mouth closed so it can't spit the pill out, gently massage the throat until the pill is swallowed.
Use a syringe for liquid. Liquid medication is much easier to administer than pills. Using the syringe that came with the medication, fill it to the dosage required. With the cat in the burrito position, pry open the mouth and then shoot the liquid to the back of the throat. The cat will swallow it.
Surprise the cat when it's sleeping. Mellow cats are easier to medicate than cats in the middle of a play session. Wait until your cat is snoozing on the window sill or sofa before sneaking up and opening its mouth. Be prepared for a struggle once it's figured out what's up. If you are quick and quiet, it's possible to get the pill or liquid in and the task over with before it's wide awake.