Tips for Giving Your Cat Pills & Medications

Liquid Formula

When a cat refuses to take medication or if she can't eat normally during her illness, the vet may prescribe the medicine in a liquid formula to be administered via syringe. Most forms of liquid medicine need to be kept refrigerated; however, cats are more likely to accept medicine that is at room temperature. Never microwave medication. You can warm it up by holding the syringe in your hand for a few minutes or submerging it in a cup of warm (not hot) water.

As noted earlier, hold your cat in a safe, comfortable way with the syringe in your dominant hand. Allow your kitty to lick the tip of the syringe so she can sample the medicine, then depress slowly on the plunger. Aim the stream of medicine toward the back of her throat, but be careful not to tilt her head back, warns Petful. This could cause her to inhale some of the liquid or choke.

Once the medicine is in her mouth, hold her mouth closed for a bit to make sure she swallows the liquid. Don't worry if she spits out some of the medicine — it's common. Even if some ends up on your lap, avoid remedicating her and wait until her next dosage is due.

Eye and Ear Drops

Sometimes, a cat needs to take eye or ear drops, particularly if she has allergies. Just as when you administer a pill or liquid formulas, you'll need to hold your cat securely to administer them.

For eye drops, recommends Ernest Ward, DVM with the Newport Harbor Animal Hospital, place a hand on the top of the cat's head (often best to come from above or below their head, rather than straight at their face so they don't see it coming) "use the last two fingers of the same hand to pull back the upper eyelid. Place your remaining fingers under the cat's jaw to support the head. The lower eyelid will act as a pouch to receive the drops." Never touch the cat's eye with the eye dropper or your fingers.

For ear drops, Dr. Ward says, "gently massage the base of the ear in a circular motion... You should hear a 'squishing' sound as you massage the medication deep into the ear canal." Your cat won't like either of these methods, but as with all medication for cats, it's vital to her health.

Injections

Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, require pet parents to inject medication under the skin. You'll benefit from a second set of hands when giving shots, so enlist a helper to keep your pet in place with a towel or firm but gentle grip.

A cat can require a shot in the hip, neck or other site depending on the medication, so ask your vet to show you how and where you should give the injection. You will also need to know if the injection should go into a muscle, vein or a fold of skin. Always use a new needle for each dose and record the time and date of every shot.

After administering a medication, give your kitty some extra snuggles. She also may want some alone time, so give her the time and space she needs if she wants to hide for a bit. Never throw a needle in the garbage when you're finished. Dispose of it in an approved sharps container or bring it to your local pharmacy or veterinarian's office.

If you suspect your cat is sick, first contact your vet to schedule a checkup and only give your pet the specific medicine prescribed by the doctor. You should never give your cat over-the-counter (OTC) medicines formulated for people (including eye drops), because many of these medications are hazardous to pets. These tips are intended to only be helpful thought starters. You should always have a conversation with your vet on the best course of action for administering medicine to your cat. Additionally, a thorough examination by a vet is the best course of action to correctly diagnose and treat your cat of any illnesses.

Whether it's a short course of antibiotics or a lifelong means of managing a condition, medicine for cats is sometimes necessary. She may not thank you, but your kitty will be happy to be healthy!