How to Give Medicine to Your Cat

There are various medications you may need to give your cat, such as dewormers or antibiotics. However, most cats tend to spit out the medicine or refuse to take it altogether. Despite this, there are several strategies you can apply to administer the medication in a way that minimizes stress for both your pet and yourself.

Carefully read the dosage instructions provided with the prescription. It's important to follow the directions printed on the medicine's packaging. Pay attention to the recommended dosage per intake, the number of doses, and the schedule for administering the medication.

• If you're uncertain about the dosage or how to give the medicine, consult with your veterinarian.

Preserve the pill's integrity for medications that require time to take effect. Certain tablets are formulated to release the active ingredient slowly over several hours, and crushing them can disrupt this process. Always follow the veterinarian's instructions when administering medication.

Check if the medication should be taken on an empty stomach. Some medicines are most effective when consumed without food, as mixing them with meals can reduce their potency. In such cases, it is advised to give your cat the medication alone, without food.

Prepare a large towel or cloth. There are various techniques for restraining a cat, depending on whether you are doing it alone or with assistance. The best method is to use a large towel or cloth to wrap around the cat's body or place them on it.

Ask a friend for help. You can ask a friend to assist in holding the cat. Having someone else help makes it easier for you to manage the cat.

Lay a towel on the table. Choose a table of a suitable height to make it easier for you to administer the medication to your cat. The cat will lie on the towel to feel comfortable and avoid slipping on the table surface.

Place the cat on the table. Gently lift the cat and set it on the table. Ask another person to hold the cat's shoulders and face its head towards you.

Wrap the cat's body with a towel. If the cat might scratch, it is best to wrap them up in a towel. Spread out a large towel or cloth and let the cat sit on it. Then wrap the towel around its body, keeping the four legs snug to the body and the head exposed. This technique, known as the 'burrito wrap,' keeps the cat's limbs and claws secure to prevent scratching.

• This is the 'burrito wrap,' similar to how a baby is swaddled. The cat's limbs are tightly wrapped against its body, with the paws and claws outside the reach of any scratching.

Place the wrapped cat on the table. If you have assistance, you can place the cat on the table. Ask the helper to hold the cat steady while you prepare to open its mouth and administer the medicine.

Kneel down to restrain the cat. If no one is available to assist, wrap the cat in the towel, kneel on the floor, and position the cat between your legs, with its head facing towards your knees.

• You need both hands free to give the medication to the cat.

Lift the cat's head. Now that the cat is restrained, the next step is to open its mouth.

• If you're right-handed, use your left hand to hold the cat's head so that your dominant hand can administer the medication into its mouth.

Place your index finger and thumb on the cat's forehead. Use your left hand to form an upside-down U shape with your two fingers and place them on the cat's head. Position your fingers along the sides of the cat's face, following the contours of its cheeks.

• The fingers should rest on either side of the cat's face, along its cheekbones.

Place your thumb and index finger on the cat's upper lip. Position your thumb and index finger on the upper lip of the cat, pressing gently on either side of its face.

• When the cat's head is tilted back and its nose points towards the ceiling, its jaw will naturally begin to open slightly.

Gently press on the cat's mouth with your thumb and index finger. Once the cat's jaw opens a little, use your thumb and index finger to press its mouth open. Pull the cat's lips apart, revealing its teeth. The pressure on its lips will cause the cat to instinctively open its mouth to avoid biting.

• If you're using a syringe for liquid medication, you only need to slightly open the cat's mouth. For tablets, you should open its mouth wider.

Hold the pill with your fingers like crab claws. Use your thumb and middle finger from your dominant hand to firmly grasp the pill.

Use your index finger to press on the cat's mouth to open it. Place the tip of your index finger on the cat's chin, pressing between the lower canine teeth (the large teeth). Gently press down, and the cat's mouth will open fully.

Place the pill at the back of the cat's tongue. You should aim to place the pill towards the back of the cat’s tongue. If you can get the pill deep enough, even if the cat tries to spit it out, the reflex action of the tongue will push the pill into the throat, and the cat will swallow it.

• If you place the pill on the tip of the tongue, continue to hold the cat’s mouth open and use your middle finger from your dominant hand to push the pill deeper into the throat.

Release the cat’s mouth. Once the pill is in the cat's mouth, ensure that they have swallowed it. When the pill is in the right position, you can release your hold on the cat’s mouth. Allow the cat to close its mouth and swallow by lowering its jaw.

• If you're unsure whether the pill is deep enough, you can gently close the cat’s mouth until it swallows.

Gently blow on the cat's nose. Some cats can be quite stubborn and refuse to swallow their medication. In such cases, you can gently blow on their nose to trigger the swallowing reflex. When they swallow the pill, they will make a swallowing sound. Release the cat's mouth and check to ensure they have not spat the medication out.

Give the cat water after they take their medication. Once the cat has swallowed the medication, you can offer them water and food. This helps the pill pass down the esophagus into the stomach.

Use a tool to administer the medication if necessary. If you're not comfortable putting your fingers in the cat's mouth, you can use a tool designed for giving pills. This tool is a plastic piller that holds the pill in place.

• Place the pill into the piller.
• Open the cat's mouth.
• Gently insert the tail end of the piller deep into the cat's mouth.
• Push the plunger to release the pill. The pill will fall into the cat's throat.

Open the cat's mouth. You don’t need to fully open the cat's mouth when giving liquid medication—just open it enough to insert the syringe.

• Do not tilt the cat's head back. This position may cause the liquid to enter the trachea instead of the esophagus.

Đặt đầu phun vào phần "túi" giữa gò má và răng. Trượt nhẹ đầu pít-tông lên trên răng. Đặt pit-tông vào "túi" giữa hàm răng và gò má ở một bên miệng.

Đẩy pít-tông từ từ để bơm thuốc nước. Để cho thuốc chảy vào miệng mèo. Ngừng lại thường xuyên sao cho mèo có thể uống thuốc một cách thoải mái và đều đặn.

• Nếu dùng pít-tông bầu, bạn bóp nhẹ nhàng và từ từ để đẩy thuốc vào trong miệng mèo. Thực hiện chậm rãi và ngừng liên tục.

Không cho quá nhiều thuốc nước vào miệng mèo. Điều quan trọng nhất là không bao giờ đổ hết thuốc vào miệng mèo một lần mà nên cho chúng nuốt từng ít một. Nếu bạn bơm quá nhiều thuốc vào miệng mèo, chúng sẽ có nguy cơ hít phải thuốc vào trong phổi. Điều này có thể gây hậu quả nghiêm trọng, chẳng hạn như viêm phổi.

Rút ống ra sau khi hết thuốc. Ngay khi cho mèo uống hết thuốc, bạn có thể rút ống ra khỏi miệng chúng và để mèo tự khép miệng lại.

• Nếu con mèo cố kháng cự, bạn nên cho chúng uống thuốc hai lần.

Store the food away for a few hours before giving the cat medication. Some medications are specially designed for cats with small pill sizes, making it easier to hide the pill in food. You should keep the food away for a few hours to make the cat hungry before giving them their medication.

Hide the pill in wet food. Offer the cat a quarter of their usual food portion and hide the pill inside. After they finish, give them the remaining food.

• To ensure the cat will eat, you can offer them their favorite food. Hide the pill in the food and let them enjoy the treat.

Use pill pockets. Pill pockets are tasty treats with a hole in the center for hiding medication (similar to filling a pastry with jam). The appealing flavor of the treat masks the pill's taste, making it easier for the cat to swallow.

• Pill pockets come in various flavors and are available at veterinary clinics or local pet stores.