How To Give A Cat Liquid Medicine
It can be difficult to give a cat liquid medication, but with a few tips, you can make it easier. We’ll help you prepare the medicine, find the right location, and offer cat control tips to make it go more smoothly. Having two people might make it easier, but we have tips for handling wiggly cats solo as well.
Here are the main steps for giving liquid medicine to a cat. First, it’s important to have the right supplies on hand. You’ll need the medicine, of course, but you’ll also need a syringe or dropper. Draw up the correct amount of medicine into the medicine filled syringe or dropper before you capture the cat.
Once you have the supplies, you’ll need to prepare the cat. Gather them into your arms and hold them close. You may want to wrap them in a towel to help keep them still or confine them in a small room. Have someone else help you if possible.
With the cat prepared, it’s time to give the medicine. Gently place the tip of the syringe or dropper into the side of the cat’s mouth and squeeze the medicine into its mouth.
If everything goes well, you can give the cat a treat as a reward. If it didn’t go well, don’t worry. Just clean up any spills and try again once the kitty has calmed down. With a little practice, you’ll be a pro at giving liquid medicine to your cat.
Hide It In Wet Cat Food
If you’re having trouble getting your cat to take their cat’s medicine, there are a few things you can try. Some medications can be flavored to make them more palatable to cats. You can also mix the medicine into a small amount of wet food or give it with a treat. If you go this route, make sure that the food is something your cat loves and that they will eat it all so they get the full dose of medicine. You may need to experiment to find what works best for your cat. Be sure the cat eats everything and gets its entire dose of medication.
How To Give A Cat Liquid Medicine By Yourself
If you’re giving liquid medicine to a cat by yourself, it’s important to be prepared. Have everything ready before you capture the cat so the process is quick and easy for the kitty. Be calm and encourage them with positivity to keep their guard down.
The main challenge in providing medicine to a cat by yourself is holding a wiggly cat while also administering the medicine. You need to hold the cat’s body and cat’s head still while plunging the medicine accurately into an unhappy kitty’s cat’s mouth. It’s not easy!
Hold the cat close to your body to help contain them. Wrap the cat in a towel with only its head exposed to minimize movement. You can also wrap them in a towel or blanket to help keep them still. Gently insert the syringe at the side of the cat’s mouth and administer the medication slowly. Another helpful solution is a cat-bag product, which is more durable and allows the cat to pop its head out.
If your cat is difficult, the reality is you will likely get lots of scratches and waste a lot of medicine. It’s important to remember that your cat needs their medicine, and it’s up to you to get it to them, but you are in it together and can take steps to make it a positive and calm interaction.
How To Give A Cat Liquid Medicine With Two People
Having two people to give a cat liquid medicine can definitely make it easier. One person can hold the cat while the other person gives your cat liquid medicine. The benefit of two people is that one person can hold the cat’s body and head while the other person administers the medicine. This can be very helpful if the cat is wiggly or resistant to taking medicine. You may still need to use a towel or cat bag to contain the cat, and confining them in a small room is also helpful to ensure the cat swallows the medicine.
Things That Can Go Wrong When Giving Your Cat Liquid Medicine
- If you put the medicine in food and your cat doesn’t eat the food – It’s important your cat gets the entire dose, and if they don’t eat the food, then they might not be getting their full dose.
- Cats are wiggly and might move – This makes the process a bit harder, and you’ll probably waste some medicine if your cat is wiggly. Practice makes purrfect! Be careful to avoid the cat inhaling the liquid, which can lead to serious complications.
- Foaming mouth – Sometimes liquid medicine will make your cat’s mouth foam. Foaming can be a normal reaction to the flavor or the medicine. Wipe away any foam with a cloth and give them some space to calm down. The further back in their mouth you get the medicine, the less likely they will foam at the mouth due to flavor. Administering too much liquid at once can cause stress and incomplete dosing.
- You might get scratched – Cats will fight you, and you might get scratched. Welcome to pet ownership!
- Cats anticipate it – Cats are smart and might start to associate you getting the medicine out with them taking it. This can make it harder to give them their medicine in the future. Try to give the medicine when they’re not expecting it, like during playtime or impromptu snack time. Practice giving liquid medication to improve your technique and make the process smoother.
- Don’t mix meds into their water – Cats don’t drink very much water, and adding the medicine to their water will change the flavor and make them less likely to drink it.
- New foods can cause an upset stomach – If you give the medicine in food, make sure it’s something the cat is already eating. Introducing new foods can cause an upset stomach.
Conclusion
Liquid medicine can be challenging to give to cats, but with a little preparation and patience, you can get the job done. Having two people might help, but you can also give liquid medicine to a cat by yourself. Be prepared, go slowly, and remain calm. It’s important to remember that your cat needs their medicine, and you are in this together. If things go wrong, don’t worry. You’ll get the hang of it with a little practice. And if all else fails, ask your veterinarian for help.
Looking for additional tips on administering meds to cats? Check out How To Give A Cat A Pill for more ideas.
