The first time I administered medicine to my cat, I was horrified. He is such a large man and will have none of it. But we got through it together (and with goodies), and the experience has now become a sort of amusing game. We’ve learned how to get him to take his medication effortlessly! In light of this, I’d like to share some tips and methods to provide your feline friend’s daily medication with minimal fuss and bother.
Is my cat genuinely ill?
Cats are adept at masking their discomfort. If you suspect your cat is in discomfort, you should take them to the veterinarian. In addition to conducting a physical examination, your veterinarian can offer therapeutic recommendations for your cat.
The most prevalent causes of cat discomfort include
Joints (the place where two bones meet) (the place where two bones connect).
Muscles (the tissue that links the bones together) (the tissue that connects bones).
There are numerous types of bones in your cat’s body.
Exist more sources of pain exist?
Several factors influence whether or not a cat exhibits signs of pain, even though most cats in discomfort will display some symptoms. If you are concerned about your pet, keep an eye out for the following signs:
Loss of hunger
Not drinking enough water
Loss of vitality (lethargy)
More vocalizing than normal
Do I comprehend what I’m doing? Do I have someone to assist me if I require assistance?
Consult a veterinarian if you lack the necessary knowledge. Ensure that everyone assisting you is familiar with the technique and can perform it safely. Consider going to the Parliament Animal Hospital for assistance if you cannot find anybody to assist you or if the person assisting you is uncomfortable with providing pills; it may be more expensive than purchasing a pill gun, but it will be worth it in the long run for your cat’s health.
Before medicating your cat, ask yourself a few fundamental questions.
There are several things to consider before getting started. Most importantly, is my cat genuinely ill? Cats are notoriously difficult to diagnose due to their dislike of the veterinarian and their skill at deceit. Before administering medication to your cat, consider whether it might be acting strangely for another cause (non-routine events like being boarded elsewhere or even moved into a new home). Ensure that the pain your cat is experiencing is not caused by something else, such as an ear infection or tooth problems (see our guide on how to deal with these issues here).
When in doubt, it is better to refrain from administering medication until you have received clear instructions from an expert who understands what they’re doing; it helps if this expert has expertise working with cats! A second person can assist you in restraining the writhing patient while administering the medication; however, they must always wear gloves and avoid touching anything sharp or unclean with their bare hands.
Exercise Is the Key to Perfection!
Before practicing with the genuine pill, you must select one with no active ingredients. This will enable the cat to become accustomed to swallowing the medication and associate it with a pleasant experience.
If your cat has previously taken this tablet, choose one they are accustomed to taking.
If your cat is accustomed to taking pills but not this particular pill (e.g., they take pills for their diabetes, but not those for heartworm), try another regular medication (consult your veterinarian!).
Try different vitamins if they’re on antibiotics or heartworm medicine; cats adore supplements!
Trick Your Cat During Mealtime
Utilizing their appetite is one of the most efficient methods for getting a cat to swallow medication. The plan is to take advantage of their meals, and it works as follows:
Offer the pill midway through the meal. You may be able to conceal it in food or sprinkle it on their plate. If they eat, treat them afterward so everything appears to be going well!
Feed them before administering the medication. If they don’t eat quickly enough (and cats are notoriously slow eaters), you can feed them again after giving them their medication and again after that…until they’re complete!
After attending to business, do not provide them with food, as this could generate complications when other people want dinner!
Reward Your Animal Companion With Treats and Additional Affection
Patience and positive reinforcement are the secrets to persuading your cat to swallow medication. Try providing your pet companion goodies or playtime as an incentive for cooperation if it is difficult to administer medication.
If your cat is anxious (the veterinarian’s office can be a frightening place for cats), giving them a tablet without first providing more attention may be difficult. Try caressing or playing with the animal for twenty minutes before delivering medication so that they become accustomed to being handled by you and are not frightened when touched by others.
Be patient with your cat, as it is independent-minded.
You must be patient. Cats are independent and dislike being ordered around. They can be stubborn, but if you are patient, they will finally cooperate.
When you attempt to give your cat a pill, it may react in several ways:
It may attempt to bite or scratch you if it feels aggressive. This is common for cats who have never been given medication; some cats take longer than others to adjust!
Your cat may flee when she sees the syringe containing medication in your hand. If this occurs, follow her until she stops rushing and submits (cats like it when we follow them around). Once she is calm enough for us to place the syringe near her face without being scratched, we may administer our kitty friend’s medication!
The most extraordinary moment to administer medication to a cat is when it is hungry.
The most extraordinary moment to administer medication to a cat is when it is hungry. This assures that your cat will consume the medication and not vomit it. Pill pockets are simple to use and aid in masking the taste of medication. If you are uncertain where to purchase them, most pet stores and some grocery stores carry them. Pill pockets are a soft, meat- or cheese-flavoured substance that helps mask the bitter taste of medication in your cat’s mouth while they chew!
You can combine the crushed tablet with butter or margarine, put the mixture on your finger, and let the cat lick it off
If you’ve never administered medicines to a cat before, try mixing the crushed tablet with butter or margarine. Then, smear it on your finger and allow the cat to remove it. You may also combine the powdered tablet with moist food, such as peanut butter (but this is not recommended for cats with heart disease). If you have tried these techniques and are still having difficulties getting your cat to take its medication, please seek assistance from a professional at your local veterinarian’s office.
If your veterinarian prescribes a liquid treatment, you can squirt it into the side of your cat’s mouth using a syringe
You will need to ensure that you have the correct type of syringe and that it is at least as large as your cat’s nose so it cannot be broken in its mouth. If you don’t already have one, ask your veterinarian where you may purchase a needleless plastic cat-sized syringe.
Additionally, you must ensure you have the correct dosage of liquid medication suggested by your veterinarian. Some medications require a specific dose per pound (or kilogram) of body weight; others require an amount based on how many times an average adult consumes a full cup (300 mL) within one hour; and still, others may instruct you in micrograms per kilogram or milligrams per pound rather than cups or ounces! Before placing anything into anyone’s mouth, including your own, verify that any measures mentioned on the bottle or prescription form correspond to the amount being administered orally via syringes.
There are multiple ways to administer medication to a cat successfully
Initially, attract the cat’s attention with goodies or toys. This will prevent them from experiencing the effects of the medication and make it easier to give.
If your cat is agreeable, consider giving them their prescription in a treat or pill pocket designed to conceal pills (make sure it is created with safe ingredients). This is a fantastic method for administering medication to your beloved buddy without too much effort!
One method is to combine crushed tablets with butter or margarine, then smear the mixture on your finger so that your furry pet can lick it off and simultaneously consume the prescription.
With patience and the proper equipment, you’ll be administering medication to your cat in no time
Now that you are prepared to administer medication to your cat, it is essential to approach the issue with patience and compassion. Remember: there is no shame in asking for assistance if you feel nervous or anxious! Your veterinarian can advise you on the most effective way to deliver medication to your pet and instruct you on how to do so safely. Even if they don’t have time, always ask if they have anything else they’d recommend before you leave (like a pill crusher).
Even if something goes wrong the first time, such as the pill being too big or too small or refusing to go down, you may always try again later with another batch of food or arrange an appointment with the veterinarian so they can try another method. Every cat has distinct dosage requirements, but as long as everyone works together to find a solution, everything should go smoothly!
We hope this guide has helped you appreciate the significance of giving your cat medication. If you have any queries or issues, feel free to contact us. We are always available to help!
Don’t wait any longer. Trust your pet’s care to the dedicated team at Parliament Animal Hospital. We understand the special bond between pets and their owners and are committed to providing the safest and most compassionate care for your furry friend. We believe in treating our patients like pets and clients like family. Experience the difference and schedule an appointment today. Call us at (647) 347-3300 or visit our website at www.parliamentanimalhospital.ca to request your pet’s appointment and join our family of satisfied clients!