How to Give Cat Medicine Orally

So your cat has fleas. Or maybe it’s recovering from a recent declawing procedure. Or maybe it’s just plain sick. If your cat describes any of these, then you have to figure out how to give it medicine. And administering cat medication is one of the more frustrating things you’ll have to do as a loving pet owner. Luckily, there are definite, proven techniques that can help make the oral cat medicine experience go a little more smoothly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat
• Medication
• Syringe
• Cat treat

1. 
    

   Prepare the syringes before trying to find your cat. Make sure that your cat cannot see you do this. Doing so may send your feline friend into hiding. This is especially true for cat medicine that must be given for multiple days.

2. 
    

   Find your cat. Make sure that he is calm. An overly tired or occupied cat will not make for a good cat medication experience. Spend a couple of minutes stroking your cat to make sure he’s calm.

3. 
    

   Bring your cat to a small room and close the door. Get your cat as comfortable as possible.

4. 
    

   Administer the oral cat medication by coming in from the cat’s side/back without your cat seeing your hand. Move swiftly, and place the syringe tip at the cheek where the top and bottom lips come together. Cats have a reflex that will cause their mouth to open wide when they feel pressure there.

5. 
    

   Immediately squirt the oral cat medicine, aiming towards the back of your cat’s mouth. Your cat will probably open and close its mouth once the liquid hits the back of his throat. Make sure that you squirt fast enough to get all the cat medication in before your cat starts moving its head side to side.

6. 
    

   Set your cat down. Let your feline friend walk around for a minute or so. Go over to him and stroke your cat’s fur. Have a treat handy to give to him. That way your cat doesn’t associate the whole experience as a horrible experience. The last thing it will remember will be the treat it got.

Tips & Warnings

• If you cat can’t stand being held, try getting him comfortable lying down. You’ll still be able to get leverage and administer the cat medicine orally.
• If the dose you are giving is extremely small (less than 0.1 ml), contact the vet to see if you can dilute it with tap water. That way you risk losing less of the dose if you miss a drop or two.
• Try to keep your fingers away from your cat’s mouth. Teeth are sharp!

Resources

• Marilyn Brodeur