How to Give Cats Medicine Without Becoming Their Mortal Enemy
Alright, so you’ve been tasked with giving medicine to a cat. The unfluffy truth? Cats really don’t appreciate this. It’s not personal (probably); they just have no desire to let anyone disrupt their serene little worlds. But here you are, wondering how on earth you’re going to get them to swallow that pill or lap up that liquid. Well then, join us at Wailea People and Paws and let’s get into how to give cats medicine (the difficult ways) PLUS the way to give your cats medicine the good way (if you don’t want to end up covered in scratches).
How to Give Cats Medicine: The Bad Ideas
There’s no shortage of bad…very bad ideas of how to give cats medicine, and most of them aren’t just bad…they end up being plain old painful. But hey, maybe you’re into doing things old school, or maybe your learning style is learning what not to do first. If so, here are some of the ideas you’ll want to hear about:
Master the Stealth Attack
Forget strutting right up with the meds in hand. Your cat is onto you. You need subtlety and stealth. Try a sneak approach, where you hide the medicine in a treat or soft food, like wet cat food or tuna. But, here’s the kicker: the food trick only works if your cat doesn’t immediately smell the medicine. If they do, they’ll probably give you a look that says, “Nice try,” and walk off.
So, if treats don’t work, it’s time for the next level: stealth mode. Some recommend wrapping your cat in a towel (or as I like to call it, the “kitty burrito”) to keep those claws at bay. Be gentle but firm. They’ll still wiggle, but with their limbs mostly confined…until they’re not. Ouch.
Liquid Medicine: Syringe or Dropper Magic
Back in the old days, if you asked someone how to give medicine to cats they’d say “Why, liquid meds of course!" Liquid meds? Same drill, except you’ll use a syringe (or dropper) to squirt the medicine into the side of your cat’s mouth. Do not try to squirt it straight back like a shot—cats will gag, cough, and possibly throw it right back up on you. Instead, aim for the pocket just behind the fangs, giving a little squirt at a time. Slow and steady is the name of the game here. Give them a moment to process the taste, or you might just wear it instead.
How To Give Cats Medicine: The Actually Good Way
Make It Easy: Pet Chews for Picky Paws
If you’re trying to figure out how to give cats medicine, why not just make it easy for yourself? Why not give your pet a treat they’ll actually like? No easy feat if you’ve got a pet with a personality—aka every cat, dog, and other fur-covered roommate out there. But hey, you’re in luck, because pet chews have come a long way from the generic rawhide you find at checkout. Today’s pet chews are the VIP experience: tasty, safe, and tailored to fit your little one’s every chew preference. Join Wailea People and Paws and let’s make it easy together!