How to Give a Cat a Shot

Vaccinating your cat is not difficult, but there are certain procedures to follow so that the cat is not injured. Learn how to give a cat a shot by following these steps.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Prepare the vaccine before handling the cat. Insert the needle into the medicine bottle and withdraw the medicine. Follow instructions in case you need to mix two medicines in one vaccination.

2. Catch the cat and hold him still. If the cat puts up a struggle, have someone help hold him.

3. Find an area low over the cat's shoulder. Avoid the shoulder blade area.

4. Pinch the skin into a triangle and hold it with your fingers. Pinching tightly is not necessary.

5. Inject the needle into the skin about 1/2-inch. Going too deep will inject the vaccine into the muscle.

6. Pull back on the needle just slightly to see if any blood comes back into the syringe. If you see blood, take the needle out and insert it again. If you see blood that means the needle went into a blood vessel, which is not where you should administer a shot.

7. Alternate using the left and right sides if you have to give your cat more than one shot.

Tips & Warnings

• Get rid of used needles, syringes and medicine bottles immediately after use.
• Do not re-use a needle or syringe. A new needle and syringe should be used for each administration and with each medication.