Instructions
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Your cat has been prescribed liquid medication. Here’s how you give it to them. Start by reviewing the medication instructions on the label. Gently shake the bottle as instructed. Draw up the liquid into a syringe or dropper according to the dosing instructions. If the medication was refrigerated, you may want to hold the syringe in your hand for a couple of minutes to warm it up.
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There are different ways to position your cat when giving them liquid medication, and there is no right way to do this. Only the way that works best for you and your cat. One way is to hold your cat in your lap, facing away from you. Another way is to sit beside them. Something that might work if your cat doesn’t like being held.
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If needed, you can try wrapping them in a towel, leaving only their head exposed. Or you may even decide to have someone else hold the cat for you. Now it’s time to give the medication. Start by seeing if your cat likes the taste. If they do, let them lick the medication from the tip of the syringe. As you slowly depress the plunger.
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If your cat isn’t interested, try to coax them by coating the syringe in something tasty like tuna juice, which will encourage them to lick at the syringe. If your cat still isn’t interested, you will have to administer the medication. Hold the syringe or dropper with your dominant hand and gently control your cat’s head with your other hand. You can tilt their head back slightly if needed, which will cause their mouth to open.
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Place the tip of the syringe in their mouth just behind a canine tooth or fang tooth and angled slightly to the side of their mouth. This ensures the medication is deposited on their tongue and not straight into the back of their throat. As this may cause your cat to inhale the liquid into their lungs. Slowly squeeze the syringe to dispense the medication.
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Make sure your cat has time to swallow the liquid and breathe. Reward your cat with massage and treats. Finally, rinse the dropper or syringe thoroughly with water and refrigerate the remaining medication if indicated. Here’s a few extra pieces of advice. Many cats spit out some of the medication. Do not remediate unless you’re certain that none of the medication was swallowed.
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And always check with your veterinary team. If you’re unsure, mixing the medication with your cat’s food isn’t usually a good idea. As many cats will stop eating if they suspect their food has been medicated. And finally, take it as slow as you need to give yourself and your cat time to work through the process. Here are the key things to remember when giving liquid medication to your cat.
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Find a position that’s comfortable for both you and your cat. Aim the syringe to deposit the medication onto the tongue and not into the back of the throat and go slow. Finally, praise your cat when it’s over. Giving liquid medication to your cat may not go as planned the first time, or even the 10th time. But as a pet owner, you do the best you can because your cat is worth it.