SolveYourProblem.com Article Series: Cat Care
Cat Care Tips
How
To Get Your Cat To Take Medicine
Many pet owners dread these words, “Give your cat one of
these pills twice a day.” Any pet owner knows the frustration
of forcing a pill down the throat of a cat who does not
feel well and who is not a willing participant. Before
you don your protective armor to medicate your cat, try
these easy tricks to get your kitty to take medicine.
Pet owners can agree that giving a cat medicine is not their
favorite job in the world. Many times, you end up with bite
marks or bleeding from little claws. There are some easy ways
to medicate your cat that will help you administer the medication.
Giving your cat medicine properly can also help reduce stress
in your cat.
If you are giving your cat a pill, there are a few tricks
to remember. Following these simple and easy tips will help
make medicine time for you and your cat a breeze.
Oral
Pills and Drops: The first thing to do is to follow your
vet’s instructions. Most oral medications should be given with
food or water. Make sure that your kitty has access to both
of these immediately following. The next thing to remember
is that a cat that is not stressed will be easier to medicate.
Try to give your cat his or her medicine when he or she is
relaxed. Do not make medicine time a chasing game. If your
cat knows what is coming, he or she is likely to run or hide.
Comfort your kitty by giving loving pats and by sitting in
a quiet room. If you have to do it alone, cradle your cat under
one arm and take the other hand and gently press the sides
of your cat’s mouth with your thumb and forefinger. Make sure
your cat’s head is tilted up slightly. Drop the pill into the
back of the mouth and promptly shut your cat’s mouth. You must
remember to hold your cat’s mouth closed until the pill is
swallowed. Be very careful not to block your cat’s nose when
doing this. Sometimes a cat will throw pills up after being
medicated. If you find a soggy pill on the floor, it will be
necessary to give your cat another pill.
Oral
drops are often much easier to give your cat than pills. If your cat requires antibiotics request that your cat is prescribed
the drops instead of the pill form. Most cats like the flavor
of drops. Vitamins and antibiotics can both be given in liquid
form. When you are giving your cat liquid medication, it is
very important to use the dropper given with the prescription.
This ensures that the proper dosage is given. You will need
to give your cat the medicine in much the same way as the pills.
Hold your cat under one arm and open the mouth with one finger
on each side of the mouth. As soon as you put the drops in,
close the mouth and hold shut until the cat swallows.
Some
pills can be given inside of food such as canned food or
hidden inside a piece of meat. It is not recommended to
give cats their medication in their water because if they do
not drink all of the water, then they are not getting the proper
dosage. Also, pills can make the water taste strange to the
cat and could lead to dehydration. Another tip is to crush
a pill into smaller pieces and mix with meat flavored baby
food or tuna. Most cats will eat this and not even notice they
are getting medicine.
Injections: If you cat requires daily injections of medication
at home, such as insulin, it is very important to follow a
schedule. Cats with diabetes usually need two injections twelve
hours a part. When giving your cat insulin, remember to not
shake the vial. Roll the vial in your hands very gently to
mix. When you are ready to give your cat the injection, place
your cat on a comfortable surface and have your cat lie down.
Gently pull the skin up at the back of the neck. This is the
perfect place for injections because cats usually are not bothered
by the shot. Insulin needles are very thin so you will not
need to push the syringe in very far. After giving your cat
injections a few times, it will become easier on you and your
cat.
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