Give a Cat Medicine

There is really no easy way to administer medicines to your cat. Cats are quick, and can easily slip away from you, and hide. Try various methods, depending on the size of your cat, until you find one that works for you.

Steps
DO NOT squirt liquid medication into the cat's throat or tongue. Liquids are likely to go down a cat's windpipe, making the cat choke. For liquid medications, insert the dropper between the cat's cheek and teeth.
 * 1) [[Image:Medicate_cat_1.jpg|thumb|A syringe (top), for liquid, gel, or paste medications and a pill pusher (bottom) for pills.]] Prepare the medicine you have to administer and place on top of a paper towel, on a nearby surface, so that you can grab it quickly as soon as the cat's mouth opens.
 * 2) *[[Image:Medicate_cat_2.jpg|thumb|A syringe and pill pusher, close up.]]A pill pusher is a bit like a syringe for pills. The rubber tip holds the pill and a plunger pushes it out when the time comes.
 * 3) *A syringe full of water can help to ensure that your cat actually swallows the medication.
 * 4) Lift the cat and hold it with one arm around it, while using your hand to open their mouth. Placing the cat on a towel or blanket on an elevated surface (such as a dresser or countertop) might help.
 * 5)  [[Image:Medicate_cat_3.jpg|thumb|Use thumb and ring finger to press at the corners of the mouth. Use middle finger and index finger to lift the cat's nose.]] Open the cat's mouth. Use your thumb and middle finger, and press into the corner of its mouth Use your middle finger and index finger to lift the cat's nose, do not block the actual nose with your fingers. Your fingers should be on either side of the nose
 * 6)  [[Image:Medicate_cat_4.jpg|thumb|Administer the medication.]]Put the medication in the cat's mouth, and follow up with a bit of water if it seems to help with swallowing.  If giving the cat a pill, put it in their mouth quickly.
 * 1)  [[Image:Medicate_cat_6_662.jpg|thumb|Stroke the cat's throat.]]Stroke the cat's throat or blow sharply on its nose to encourage the cat to swallow.
 * 2)  [[Image:Medicate_cat_5.jpg|thumb|Apologize.]]Follow up with a kitty treat.  This will help to encourage swallowing and make the whole process at least a little less arduous.

Alternative Methods

 * 1) Administer thick gel like medications from a tube (as for hairball prevention) with either of these methods or a combination:
 * 2) * Place the required dose onto your finger, and insert your finger into their mouth. They lick it off easily.
 * 3) * If they resist, or leave some on your finger, just wipe your finger with the gel onto their paws or outside their mouth. They will wash their paws and mouth, and digest the gel.
 * 4) To give your cat a pill, crush the pill and mix it with with cream cheese. Wipe the mixture onto the cat's front leg. He will instantly lick it and therefore consume his medication.
 * 5) Pill Pockets are great for getting cats to swallow pills without realizing it.

Video
A video showing one method to give a cat a pill. Other methods described in the article on how to give a cat a pill.

Tips

 * Speed and sure aim help get the pill or dropper into the mouth before there's time for stress or a fight. This is why it is best to prepare the medications before you even pick up the cat.
 * When giving a cat a tablet, it might be easier to first dip the tablet in margarine. This practice will keep the pill from becoming lodged in the throat. It will also encourage the cat to swallow the tablet and can help cover up any unpleasant taste.
 * When cats panic, they tend to back up. Use this to your advantage by kneeling on the floor with the cat between your knees, facing away from you. Doing this will make it easier to open the mouths of some cats or get drops into their eyes and ears.
 * To immobilize a cat while giving medication: Spread out a towel, put the cat in the middle of a towel and wrap the cat up like a burrito; leaving its head sticking out.
 * If giving liquid medication, to keep it from getting all over the cat's fur make a hole in one corner of a paper towel and put the cat's head through the hole, using the paper towel as a bib.
 * Cats have a gap at the back of their teeth. With dropper medicine, you can point the tip of the dropper into this gap to instantly open its mouth to quickly administer medicine.
 * If your cat can have cottage cheese, crush the pill/any med. add to cottage cheese, all done. Works really great for dogs! Some meds can not be crushed, crushing makes them not work well, so ask the Vet. before you do it. The pets do not smell the meds in cottage cheese OR they just like it so much they do not care if it has meds in it. Just use enough to mix the meds. in it.
 * If you need to insert medication through any other openings, it helps to make the cat stay still until you're sure it won't drip out
 * If the cat repeatedly gets away from you before you can dose it (or immobilize it with the towel method above), tempt or trick it into a much smaller room without any hiding places, like a walk in closet or bathroom, and shut the door. The medicine process will go much faster if you don't have to search the house tracking the cat down every time it manages to get away from you.
 * If necessary medicine can be specially compounded to be absorbed through the skin. It can be applied to the inner ear. Be sure to wear gloves as not to absorb it into your system.

Warnings

 * Be extra careful when putting eye-drops into the cats eyes. They squirm and are fast, and the tip of the eyedropper can easily extend into the eye, causing damage and pain. It is best to have a second person with you, when applying eye drops, or bring the cat to the vet and ask for their help.
 * Do not give your cat human medicine. It can be harmful or fatal!

Related

 * How to Give a Cat a Pill
 * How to Clean Your Cat When He Can't Do It Himself
 * How to Give Your Cat Eye Drops
 * How to Give Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat
 * How to Communicate With Your Cat
 * How to Tame a Feral Cat
 * How to Give a Mouse or Other Small Rodent Oral Medication