How to Medicate Your Cat

Medicating a cat isn’t always easy, but remaining calm is always the key to successful medicating!

Keep in mind that if your cat has a severe negative reaction to medicating, make sure to give them a break after a failed attempt. Continuing to try to medicate them when they are already frustrated and worked up will only make the situation worse for both you and your cat.  Try again after your cat has had some time to relax.

If the techniques I share with you are unsuccessful, consult your personal veterinarian.

Below, I will detail the three main ways a vet may prescribe medication for your feline friend and how you can safely administer those medication(s).

1. You’ve been prescribed a pill to be taken orally. It is usually easier to medicate a cat with two people. Have one person hold the cat firmly while the other holds the cat’s head back and opens the cat’s mouth. Place the pill as far back in the cat’s mouth as possible and gently hold the cat’s mouth shut. You can gently stroke the cat’s throat to help encourage it to swallow the pill. You can also use a pill syringe (like this) to help aid you in giving your cat a pill. You would follow the same procedure in restraining the cat but instead of using your hand to place the pill in the back of the throat you place the syringe and gently push the pill out of the syringe into the cat’s throat.

2. You’ve been prescribed a liquid to be taken orally. Again, it is advisable to use two people when medicating a cat. Restrain the cat in the same manner as above, but this time place the syringe filled with the correct amount of medicine in the side of the cats mouth, squeezing the syringe a little at a time. Stroke the cat’s throat to encourage it to swallow it.

3. You’ve been prescribed a topical treatment. This is a bit different than the previous two and will be broken into two parts: applying to the eyes and to the ears.

   A. A topical ointment or drop to be applied to the eye: In either case, whether an ointment or drops, hold the cats head still and hold their eye open. Apply the directed amount into the eye while aiming for the center of the eye.

   B. A topical ointment or drop to be applied to the ear: In either case, whether an ointment or drops, hold the cat’s head still and tilt their head to the ear you are medicating. Apply the directed into the center of the cat’s ear. Gently message the base of the ear to make sure the entire affected area is covered.

When you’re finished medicating your cat make sure to give them a lot of praise (petting, playtime, etc.) for allowing you to medicate them.

Good luck and happy medicating!

For further information on how to medicate your cat, please visit the following website: http://www.cathaven.org/printpages/medicine.htm and remember never medicate a cat unless directed by a veterinarian!

(Picture courtesy of http://icanhascheezburger.com/2007/09/28/kitty-needs-his-medicines/ )