Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Choosing the best method
• Method 2 of 3: Administer medication with food
• Method 3 of 3: Administer medication without food
• Tips
• Warnings

It can be a struggle every day to give your cat his medicine, but this is very important to keep your cat healthy. If you are having trouble giving your cat his medication, there are some things you can do to make the process a little easier. For example, you can ask your vet for a demonstration, use special treats to hide pills in, or use a towel to hold your cat tightly. Read on to learn more about how to medicate a cat.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Choosing the best method

1. Talk to the vet. Before you start giving your cat any medication, you should talk to your vet first. Your vet will examine your cat and determine the best treatment for his condition. If your cat needs medication, the vet will prescribe them and explain how to give them to your cat. Ask questions if something is unclear to you.
   • Ask your vet for a demonstration. If you are going to give your cat pills without food, it may help if your vet shows you how to do this first. Before returning home, ask your vet to show you how to administer the medicine to your cat. This way you will be able to see the entire process and ask questions.
   • If your cat is sick, don't try to diagnose yourself. Take your cat to the vet as soon as possible.
   • Never give your cat any medications intended for humans, another cat, or any other pet.
2. Read carefully the directions on the package of the drug. Before giving the medicine to your cat, read the package directions carefully and make sure you understand them. Call the vet if you have any questions about the drug or if you have any concerns. These are some questions you might want to ask your vet:
   • At what time should the medicine be given?
   • Should the medicine be given with or without food?
   • How should the drug be administered? In the mouth? By an injection?
   • What are the possible side effects of the drug?
   • How can I stay safe myself when administering the medicine? Do I have to wear gloves?
3. Decide how you want to administer the drug to your cat. Before giving your cat his medicine, make sure you know the best way to administer the medicine. If you can give your cat the medicine with some food, it will be the easiest and most enjoyable method for both of you.
   • With food. If the medicine can be administered through the mouth together with some food, then the best option is to use special candies in which you can hide the pill, for example Easypill. You can also use food that your cat likes. You may have to experiment with multiple foods before you find something your cat really likes.
   • Without food. If your cat needs to take the medicine on an empty stomach, you should use a pill shooter or gently place the pill in your cat's mouth while holding it tightly. If you need to administer liquid medicine, you will need to use a pipette to instill the medicine into your cat's mouth while holding it tightly.

Method 2 of 3: Administer medication with food

1. Buy some candies specifically for the administration of medicine. If your cat is allowed to take the medication with some food, it is best to use a store-bought product to hide the pill. For example, you can use Easypill, which you can buy at the pet store. If you can't find these special treats or if your cat doesn't like them, make small balls of wet food to hide the pills in.
   • You can also use a little anti-hairball paste to hide the pill.
2. Prepare the candies. Put your cat's pill in a malleable Easypill treat. Make sure the treat sticks to the pill so your cat can't get the pill out of the treat. Have some other regular cat treats ready to give to your cat after he swallows the pill.
   • If you are using wet food, make four small balls of cat food that your cat likes. Then put a pill in one of the balls. Pay close attention to which ball you put the pill into.
3. Give the candies. Give your cat the treats you have prepared in a place that your cat likes, such as where his food bowl is or his favorite place to sleep. If you are using a treat from Easypill, just give your cat the treat and make sure he eats it. If he spits it out, try again with a new treat or use wet food to make small balls.
   • To give your cat the pill using some wet food, give him two of the previously made non-pill balls. Then give your cat the ball with the pill and wait for it to swallow it. Finally, give your cat the last ball of wet food without a pill to get the taste of the medicine out of its mouth. This last ball ensures that your cat will not associate the food with a bad taste. This will make it easier to keep using this method.
4. Finally, give your cat a regular cat treat. Whatever method you used to give your cat the medicine, make sure to give it one of its favorite cat treats. You can also pet and play with your cat if it feels like it. Do what you can to make it a pleasant experience so that your cat will look forward to taking his medicine next time.

Method 3 of 3: Administer medication without food

1. Prepare the medicine. Before gripping your cat tightly, you will need to prepare the medicine so that you can administer it immediately. If you have not already done so, carefully read the directions on the packaging first. Then prepare the medicine. Call the vet if you have any questions about administering the drug.
   • Your vet can give you a pill shooter if you need to administer the medications without food. A pill shooter is a type of syringe for pills, so you don't have to put your fingers in your cat's mouth. If your cat has to take liquid medicine, you will need to use a pipette.
   • Double check the correct dose of the medicine and make sure you have prepared the correct amount.
   • If your cat has to take a pill without food, prepare a pipette with about 5 ml of water. You can give this water to your cat after taking the pill to make sure your cat swallows the pill and it doesn't get stuck in his esophagus.
   • Place the cat's medicine close to you. This way you can quickly grab it when the cat opens its mouth. For example, you can place it on a paper towel on a surface near you, or ask someone to hold it for you.
2. Wrap your cat in a towel so only its head is sticking out. Lay out a towel, place the cat in the center, and quickly wrap the towel around the cat as if it were a burrito. If you have to give your cat a pill without food, you will have to hold it tight and put the pill in its mouth. If your cat is not used to taking pills, chances are he will struggle to try to get out. Wrapping it in a towel and only letting it stick its head out will prevent it from taking hold of your body and escaping. The towel also prevents your cat from scratching you.
   • You can also hold your cat on your lap while you are administering the medicine if you think it's easier. If so, wrap your cat in a towel, as there is still a good chance it will try to escape.
   • You can also enlist the help of a friend or family member if your cat has never taken any medication before.In this way, one person can hold the cat and the other administer the drug with both hands.
3. Use a raised surface, such as a tall counter, chest of drawers, or a washing machine. Any surface that is at least hip level will make it easier for you to administer the medicine to your cat. Hold your towel-wrapped cat and rest its body on the surface. If you are administering the drug alone, keep one hip against the side of the surface and put an arm around your cat.
4. Open your cat's mouth. Press against the corners of your cat's mouth with your thumb and ring finger. Your cat's mouth should open when you apply pressure. If your cat does not open its mouth wide enough to administer the medication, use your other hand to gently push down your cat's lower jaw.
   • Do your best not to put your fingers in your cat's mouth while holding the mouth open. Place them against the edges of his mouth so that they are away from his teeth.
5. Put the medicine in your cat's mouth. If using a pill shooter, place the pill on the back of your cat's tongue. If you're using a pipette, stick it on the side of its mouth between its teeth. Do not spray liquid medicine into your cat's throat or tongue. With liquid medicines there is a good chance that they will flow into the windpipe, which can cause your cat to choke.
   • Then, using a pipette, squirt 5 ml of water into your cat's mouth if you give your cat a pill without food. Make sure to insert the pipette on the side of the mouth between the teeth.
6. Close your cat's mouth and pat its throat. After administering the medicine, close your cat's mouth and gently pat his throat. This will encourage your cat to swallow the pill.
7. Reward your cat for cooperating. Even though you cannot give your cat a cat treat as a reward for taking his medication, you will still need to do something to show him that he did a good job. Pet your cat, play with him, and be nice to him right after you give the medicine.

Tips

• Being quick and accurate will help put the pill or pipette in the cat's mouth before he gets stressed or struggles. This is also why it is best to prepare the medicine before even picking the cat.
• If your cat pulls its head away every time you open its mouth, hold the loose skin on the back of its neck tightly so that you can hold your cat better.
• If your cat walks away from you several times before you can administer the medicine, take it to a small room where it cannot hide, such as a walk-in closet or bathroom. Then close the door. Administering the drug will go a lot faster if you don't have to search the house first every time your cat manages to run away and hide.
• Try to calm your cat beforehand so that it doesn't startle and run away. Prepare the medicine, act in a calm manner, and then give your cat his medicine.
• You can also hide tablets in your cat's food.
• Ask the vet if your cat's medicine is available as a powder or liquid. You can then mix the medicine with a little tuna oil and give it to your cat. The tuna oil helps to disguise the taste of the medicine.

Warnings

• Do not give your cat medicines that are intended for humans. This can be harmful or even deadly.