How to Give an Insulin Shot to a Cat

If you have to give a cat an insulin shot you must be very careful. Be sure that the cat doesn't move when administering the injection. If you happen to get some into the cat then you should not try again until the next time you must give it. This is due to the fact that it is better to miss some insulin as opposed to getting too much. Read on to learn how to give an insulin shot to a cat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A diabetic cat
• Syringe
• Insulin vial
• Refrigerator

1. Mix insulin before filling the syringe to number suggested by the veterinarian. In order to do this you do not shake the vial. You put the bottle between the palms of your hands and roll it.

2. Insert the syringe into the rubber top of the vial.

3. Pull back on the syringe in order to take in the insulin into the syringe. Pull the right amount of insulin into the syringe.

4. Read the numbers on the syringe in order to be able to tell how much insulin you pulled into the syringe.

5. Look for bubbles in the syringe. After you have the right amount in the syringe you want to make sure there are no bubbles. If there are, you can either push the insulin back into the vial and try again or tap the bubbles in the syringe until they pop.

6. Lift the skin on the back of their neck area, between the cat's shoulder blades. This is where you will put the syringe into in order to inject the insulin. Be sure to place the needle into the skin and not through it. This would not only hurt the cat but the insulin would never get into the cat's body.

7. Inject the insulin into the cat. If the cat moves do not try to put more into the body. Simply wait until later that day in order to give the cat the insulin shot. Too much can be more damaging than not getting enough.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not grab too much skin on the cat. It isn't necessary.
• Be gentle with the cat and they will not move around too much.
• If you feel as though you gave the cat too much insulin call the veterinarian.
• When you put the syringe into the skin of the cat be sure to pull back on the syringe first to see if blood come out. If it does then pull the needle out and empty it out into the sink and then follow the steps again. You do not want to put the insulin directly into its bloodstream. If you don't pull out any blood then continue to give the shot.