How to Give Medicine to a Cat Using a Dropper

Giving medication to a cat is easily accomplished following the directions below. It may be helpful to have someone assist you hold the patient.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Nail Clippers

1. Place your cat on a flat surface like a counter or table.

2. Fill the dropper with the recommended dose of medication.

3. Stand to the left side of the cat.

4. Grasp her head with your left hand, holding her mouth closed by placing your thumb on the bridge of her nose and your fingers under the lower jaw.

5. Tilt the head upward at an angle of about 30 degrees.

6. Pick up the dropper with your right hand and insert it between the lips and teeth at the corner of the mouth on her right side.

7. Slide the dropper to the back of the cheek pouch and deposit the medication there by compressing the dropper bulb.

8. Release your grasp on the head slightly, but do not let go. Tilt her nose down at an angle of about 30 degrees. This will allow the cat to swallow the medication.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice this procedure with warm tap water to perfect the technique.
• Have someone help you by holding the front legs to prevent your cat from attempting to scratch you or push your hands away.
• Remain clam and relaxed; soothe her by talking softly and gently petting her before and after.
• Trimming your cat's nails prior to attempting to medicate her will decrease the likelihood of getting scratched.
• Administer only medication that has been prescribed by your veterinarian for this cat and for this specific medical problem.
• Check the expiration date on the medication.
• Ask your veterinarian about dangers of handling the medication if you are pregnant.

Who Can Help Sponsored

[pselliott]

on 2/21/2009 Someone suggested baby food and I saw a comment about it this morning. After struggling to get a full dose of the liquid antibiotic into my cat for the past three days I went out and bought some baby food this morning. She scarfed it right up and followed me around purring looking for more! I know she is getting the full dose she needs to get better. Thank you!!!

[whozethere]

on 2/7/2009 Yes, but you failed to say how to do this twice a day . . . every day. With two cats, I don't have time to keep them separate to consume their food.

[Smokeyboy]

on 9/1/2008 About the Baby Food Trick - Thank you SO MUCH for your advice, it worked! Instead of baby food, I mixed in the pink Amoxicillin with tuna juice and mashed canned cat food. My other cat wanted it too, so I had to put him outside on his leash, or lure him with treats. I love the web and your advice, and so does my kitty!

[Annuta]

on 2/19/2008 I think it's very important to try and find "peaceful" alternatives to giving cats medicine rather than going for the standard "force their head back and squeeze it down their throats" method. The vet I saw did just that, but when I tried to repeat the proceedure by myself, it failed miserably - my cat wiggled out of my grip, and we both got pretty spooked. What I tried next worked like a charm.

When she came out of hiding, I put a little drop of the antibiotics on her paw. She immediately proceeded to lick it all off. Furthermore, she didn't seem too disgusted while doing so. Little by little, I emptied the dropper on her paw, as she diligintly licked every little bit off. By the end, she even started licking the dropper itself! The next morning, I didn't even have to put anything on her paw. She just started to lick the dropper and and I squeezed the medicine bit by bit as she swal

[Annuta]

on 2/19/2008 I think it's very important to try and find "peaceful" alternatives to giving cats medicine rather than going for the standard "force their head back and squeeze it down their throats" method. The vet I saw did just that, but when I tried to repeat the proceedure by myself, it failed miserably - my cat wiggled out of my grip, and we both got pretty spooked. What I tried next worked like a charm.

When she came out of hiding, I put a little drop of the antibiotics on her paw. She immediately proceeded to lick it all off. Furthermore, she didn't seem too disgusted while doing so. Little by little, I emptied the dropper on her paw, as she diligintly licked every little bit off. By the end, she even started licking the dropper itself! The next morning, I didn't even have to put anything on her paw. She just started to lick the dropper and and I squeezed the medicine bit by bit as she swal