How to give your cat medicine

Feline caretakers, do you feel the need for a chill pill at the thought of giving your cat oral medication? Hang on, help is on the way. Administering medicine is simple, fast and pain-free--for both you and your cat--once you've learned how.

Steps on giving medicine to a cat

The first step is ensuring that your cat is as relaxed as possible. If Fluffy's excited or seems stressed, you may want to wait until she's in a calmer mood, if time permits. Next, get her set in a comfortable position. This will depend largely on what works best for your kitty. You can try placing her on the floor next to you, or perhaps on a table. You may also find that kneeling over your cat, with your legs on either side, works well. The job's made even easier if you have another person to help. Your assistant can hold your cat from behind, gently grasping the animal's shoulders.

Next, place your left hand on your cat's head. If you're left-handed, use your right hand to do this. Reach your thumb down to one corner of her mouth and your fingers to the other corner, and gently tilt her head back until her nose is pointing to the ceiling. At this point, her mouth should open slightly. Take the pill or capsule between the thumb and forefinger of your right hand and, if you need to, carefully open her mouth with your middle finger. Now you're ready to place the pill down her throat, as far back over the tongue as you can. Hold her mouth closed and rub her throat or gently blow on her nose to encourage her to swallow the pill.

If Fluffy has been prescribed liquid medication, you can hold your cat's head as if you were giving her a pill, or cradle her head by placing your hand under her neck. Put the syringe or dropper of medicine in her mouth, ideally in the pocket between her cheek and gums. Take care to squirt the medicine into her mouth slowly, allowing her enough time to swallow it.

Tips on giving a problem cat medicine

If your cat is particularly difficult when receiving medicine, be it in pill or liquid form, you may find the process easier if you wrap her snugly in a towel or blanket. If you and she are having a really tough time of it, it's a good idea to take a break and try again a little later. "Pill poppers" can also be very effective. These plastic tube-shaped devices allow you to place a pill or capsule over the base of cat's tongue so that you won't have to put your fingers in her mouth. "Pill pockets" are also available at local pet stores and are tasty treats with a hole in them that is perfect for placing a pill inside.  Check your pet supply store or ask your veterinarian for a recommendation.

When administering medication to your pet, take care to be gentle but firm. The quicker and smoother your make your actions, the better. And after successfully getting a pill or dose of liquid medication down, congratulate yourself--and be sure to offer your feline friend her favorite treat.