How to give cats oral medications: liquids and tablets
Hi! I'm Haley, a registered veterinary technician with Green Valley Veterinary Care. Today, I have Ace here with me, and we’re going to demonstrate how to give two different types of medication: a pill and a liquid.
Preparing Your Cat for Medication
- First, wrap your cat securely in a towel to create a "purrito." This keeps them snug and prevents movement.
- Make sure you have your medications ready:
- Pill (tablet or capsule): Can be given alone or hidden in a treat.
- Liquid medication: Administered with a syringe.
- Have a small syringe of water handy to help with swallowing if needed.
How to Give a Pill
Follow these steps to safely administer a pill:
- Hold your cat’s head securely using your thumb and middle finger.
- Use your elbow to gently keep them close to your body.
- With your dominant hand, push down on their bottom jaw.
- Place the pill at the back of their tongue and quickly close their mouth.
- Some cats will swallow naturally, but you may need to follow up with a syringe of water.
Tip: Not all cats will swallow immediately. If needed, gently stroke their throat to encourage swallowing.
How to Give Liquid Medication
Liquid medications require a different approach to ensure they are swallowed safely.
- Keep your cat wrapped up snugly in the towel.
- Hold their head gently, keeping them secure.
- Insert the syringe into the cheek pouch (side of the mouth), rather than squirting it directly down their throat.
- Slowly dispense a small amount of liquid at a time, allowing your cat to swallow naturally.
- Repeat until the full dose has been given.
As you can see, Ace is swallowing the medication a little at a time. This method prevents choking and makes it easier for your cat to tolerate liquid medicine.
And that’s how you safely give your cat medication! Whether it’s a pill or a liquid, using these techniques will help make the process smoother and stress-free for both you and your feline friend.
If you ever have trouble medicating your pet, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at Green Valley Veterinary Care! Please give us a call at the office at (937) 358-8142, or you can email us at [email protected]. Our staff would love to talk with you!
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