For many cat owners, giving your pet medicine can be a daunting task. But whether it’s routine worming treatment or medicine for an illness, administering medicine is vital for your cat’s health.
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Sarah Elliott, Central Veterinary Officer for Cats Protection explains how to make the process easier for you and your pet.
What do I need to know before giving my cat medicine?
Before you begin, make sure you have all the details you need about your cat’s medication:
- What is the required dose?
- Should it be given on a full or empty stomach?
- Can it be mixed with food?
If you’re unsure, check with your vet and only use medication which has been prescribed by them.
How do I give my cat a tablet?
Giving your cat a pill will be easier if you’re well prepared and choose a time of day when you’re not rushed.
Make sure there’s no background distractions and that your cat is relaxed and calm. It may help if you have someone else to assist, but this person should be someone the cat knows and is comfortable with. When you’re ready, you can follow these steps:
• Position your cat so there is a ‘bum stop’ behind them – this can be achieved by having their bottom against your body or a wall and will prevent them from backing away.
• If you have a helper, they can gently hold the cat’s chest and upper front legs.
• With one hand, hold your cat’s cheekbones towards the back of their head, avoiding their teeth and whiskers. Now you can gently tilt their head back.
• Using your other hand, gently open their mouth using a finger on their front teeth – avoid the canines, as these are sharp. Pop in the tablet towards the end back of the tongue and then close the mouth. Stroking the throat in a downward motion will encourage your cat to swallow.
• Release your cat but keep an eye on them to see if they spit out the tablet. If they lick their lips, it’s a good sign they have swallowed it.
• Your cat may retreat for a few minutes to calm themselves afterwards – this is normal and you should give your cat some time and space. If they don’t seem too bothered, you can give them a reward, like a small food treat, a fuss, or playing their favourite game.
What if my cat won’t let me give them a tablet?
If you’re having trouble giving your cat a tablet – either because they’re particularly wriggly or because they are easily stressed – you may need to be creative.
As long as your vet says the medicine can be given with food, you can try sneaking it into a treat or crushing into their usual food or a treat. However, because cats have an excellent sense of smell, you may need to use a strong-smelling food like tuna to disguise it.
If you’re still having difficulty, your vet may be able to prescribe a liquid version or give you some tips on making it easier for you and your cat. It’s a good idea to mix with only a small amount of food, as it’ll reduce the risk of your cat becoming full and walking away before they’ve eaten all the dose.
Can I wrap my cat in a towel to give them medication?
If you can’t mix with food and are still struggling, you could try the ‘towel wrap’ method to hold your cat. It’s worth remembering that some cats find this particularly stressful so it should only be used as a last resort, and with a gentle approach.
For this, you’ll need a large, soft towel placed on the floor which you’ll place your cat on. Gently bring up one side of the towel and then the other around the cat’s body so they cannot move their legs out of the opening. You can then follow the steps above for administering the tablet.
Afterwards, you can offer a positive reward like a treat, game or a fuss – but remember, give your cat time and space on their own if they need it.
How can I give my cat liquid medicine?
Liquid medicine can normally be easily mixed with your cat’s usual food, or a tasty treat, so long as your vet says it’s okay. If you do mix with food, keep an eye on your cat while they’re eating so you can be sure they’ve not left any, as this could mean they’re not getting the full dose.
A good idea is to wait until mealtimes and then just offer a spoonful of food with the medication in it. Once this has been eaten, you can add the rest of their food to the bowl. Some medications must be given with food and not on an empty stomach, so check with your vet.
How do I use drop on or spot on flea treatment?
Flea treatment can be given as a long-acting tablet but is most commonly available from your vet in a ‘spot on’ format, which is applied directly to the cat’s body.
This is an effective way of protecting your cat from fleas and avoids the need for you to give a tablet. Even so, the sensation of a strong-smelling liquid being applied may make some cats particularly wriggly and tricky to treat. By following these steps, you can help make it easier and less stressful for you both:
• Make sure your cat is relaxed, calm and in a safe, familiar environment. If there’s another person to help, they can gently but firmly hold your cat’s shoulders.
• With one hand, gently part the fur on the back of your cat’s neck, between their shoulder blades, to reveal a thin line of skin. Using your other hand, gently squeeze the liquid treatment up and down this line.
• Remember, the liquid has a very strong smell for cats so try not to unscrew it until the last moment, so your cat is less likely to pick up on it.
• If your cat becomes too stressed and wriggly, stop and try again later. You want to avoid your cat becoming stressed as this can be damaging for their well-being.
• After applying the treatment, your cat may want to retreat to a quiet area for a while. Give them time and space on their own. If they do stick around, you can offer a reward like a small food treat, a fuss or a game.
Is flea and worming treatment really necessary?
Yes! Parasites such as fleas and worms can be painful and uncomfortable for your cat, and, in some cases, can lead to serious complications. Fleas can hop on and off human clothing, so even if you have an indoor cat, they may still get into your home.
Cats which have a flea allergy may suffer painful problems associated with bites, like fur loss and inflamed, sore skin. Kittens are also particularly vulnerable to flea infestations and in some cases can develop life-threatening anaemia. Worms can also cause real problems for your cat including vomiting, diarrhoea, irritation around their bottom.
Love cats? Check out our pets section for advice on cat care, from what is catnip and what does catnip do to cats? to how to stop cats scratching furniture and even how to stop cats pooping in your garden
Cats Protection is the UK's largest cat welfare charity and have experts in all aspects of feline welfare. They help around 200,000 cats and kittens every year thanks in no small part to their network of over 230 volunteer-run branches and over 30 centres.
