Taking your cat to the veterinarian isn’t the worst part of cat ownership, but giving it medication is. An owner’s most challenging task is getting ready for an inspection. Other factors leading to failure include unsuccessful attempts to administer medication or deliberate avoidance. Pet owners may feel guilty.
Safely and straightforwardly, you can help your cat. Your feline friend can get his foods to hide cat liquid medicine in.
Giving liquid medication to cats
A mixture of liquid and canned food is the easiest way to give your cat its medication; rather than mixing medication into a whole bowl of food that the cat may not finish, mix it into a small amount of canned food that can be fed by hand.
Cats with dietary restrictions or unwillingness to eat may prevent you from using this method. In this case, the medication will have to be administered directly into the cat’s mouth.
Read the prescription label carefully before giving the medication, and make sure you understand the dosing instructions. The liquid medication should be shaken or mixed gently before being drawn into the dosing syringe. Hold the syringe tightly in your hand for a minute or two if the medication was refrigerated, or place it in a warm water bath for a few minutes. Do not microwave medicine, however!
Foods to Hide Cat Liquid Medicine In
There are different formulations of medicines. Various forms are available, such as capsules, tablets, flavoured liquids, or chewable flavoured tablets. Check with your doctor if another formulation may be suitable if you have problems with the current formulation.
There is more of a challenge concealing capsules and tablets in food than liquids, but you can experiment with what works for your cat. The following foods can hide pills: canned cat food, strained meat (human) baby food, tuna or other canned fish, plain yoghurt, Pill PocketsTM, cream cheese or butter. When swallowing pills, butter coats them and makes them easier to swallow.
- Some cats will consume ground-up tablets or capsule contents when sprinkled in canned cat food or a food treat. It is essential to monitor your cat’s response to medication since many cats avoid food with medication (and some medications are bitter). Don’t give your cat more food until your cat has finished the medication. Put it in a small amount of food.
- Food-coated tablets or capsules seem to work better for some cats.
Pharmaceutical companies compound liquid medications in a variety of flavours. Liquids in similar flavours (e.g. meat, fish, chicken) may be available for your cat if it has a favourite food. You can then mix your favourite food with the medication. There is a good chance that your cat won’t detect the medication.
Tricks To Try in Giving Your Cat Medicine
Have you ever noticed that your pet develops teeth like steel when it’s time to take medicine? It’s a matter of fumbling with your furry friend’s teeth as you struggle to squeeze out the pill or squirt the liquid medication into their mouth. A missed opportunity can result in the pill falling on the floor or the liquid dripping down the pet’s face. You can try a few tricks to make giving your pet medication less stressful for both of you.
Keep the medication hidden.
There’s no need to be creative when trying to get your pet to take medications. Medicine or pills can be concealed in food and is one of the easiest ways to do it. Here are some things to keep in mind if you want to use this approach:
- It’s all about size. Make sure you mix the liquid medication with a small piece of food to conceal the pill. It is possible that your pet will not eat the pill if you serve them a large meal. Ensure your pet’s veterinarian is aware of any medication mixed in food. Medicines that aren’t taken in their original form are less effective.
- It’s better if it stinks. If a pet smells unusual in its food, it may reject it, even if it is a favourite treat. It might be a good idea to hide the pill or medication in smelly food, such as salmon or a particular type of soft cheese if your pet has foiled your plans previously. The distinctive smell of medicine can be more easily ignored if there are strong food odours nearby.
- Make use of capsules. If you want to add medicine to food that smells or tastes bad, you can hide it in an empty capsule before adding it. It won’t be possible for your pet to smell the pill once it’s enclosed in the capsule.
Put a new spin on it.
Medications flavoured with cherry or bubblegum appeal more to children but aren’t palatable to pets. The excellent news is compounding pharmacies can provide pets with flavours they like, such as beef, fish, chicken, cheese, and liver. A pet may willingly accept a pill or liquid medication if it tastes good.
Streamline the process
Giving your pet medication may be easier if you follow these tips:
- Your pet needs to be distracted. If your pet is captivated by the birds outside the window, give him a medication-infused treat during a walk.
- Make sure they are kept guessing. If you only give your pet a treat when it’s time for the next dose of medication, he’ll soon figure it out. Give them a few treats throughout the day to make your pet more receptive to medication.
- Peer pressure can be helpful. If you are distributing food to other pets, they don’t like to be left out. You can take advantage of your group’s competitive nature by providing treats to your entire gang. Sneak a medication-filled treat into the patient’s mouth as they hurry to keep up with peers.
- The Paw Method may work for you. Place crushed pills or liquid medicine on your pet’s paws and watch him lick off the mixture.
Medication for your pet in its mouth if all else fails
It is possible that your pet will not take the pill or liquid, despite your best efforts. The medication should be placed in the child’s mouth if this occurs. Lift your dog’s head by tilting it back, grasping its top jaw between your thumb and index finger. Use your middle and ring fingers to open the lower jaw gently, then place the pill into the dog’s mouth and stroke their throat to encourage swallowing. Canines have sharp, fang-like teeth. Do not place your fingers over them.
If your cat is foaming at the mouth, what should you do?
When your cat receives his medication, he might have an unexpected reaction, such as foaming at the mouth. The medicine isn’t harming him in any way. When something tastes terrible to them, cats may foam in the mouth. He will be less likely to taste the medication if you place it on the back third of his tongue. A vet is always available if you have any concerns.
First-time liquid medicine users shouldn’t expect perfect results. Your fur baby and you will get better with practice. Do not hesitate to seek advice from your veterinarian if you’re experiencing difficulty.
The quickest way to boost your success rate
After administering meds, play with your cat as soon as possible if they are healthy enough. You can improve your cat’s medication tolerance through positive reinforcement through play. The experience can also make your cat more pleasant by giving it treats, attention, and new toys.
Lastly, if your cat takes multiple medications and you are having trouble administering them all, speak to your veterinarian. You can ensure they give the most appropriate medications by asking them to list them in order of importance.
Conclusion
Medicine is notoriously unpopular with cats. You still need to give your cat his medication, regardless of how aggressive it is. When giving liquid medicine to a problematic cat, you might want to try hiding the medicine in the food he likes. If that approach doesn’t work for you, there are other ways to help your cat.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you give a cat liquid medicine without spitting it out?
Sometimes, we need to get liquid medicine from a cat. This is when you have to give them the medicine without spitting it out.
The cat will often lick the liquid medicine off your finger as you try to administer it. It’s best to use a syringe or eyedropper so that you can put the medicine in their mouth without getting any of it on yourself.
Can you mix liquid cat antibiotics with food?
The answer is yes! You can mix liquid cat antibiotics with food as long as you follow the instructions on the medication label and your vet approves of this type of feeding. However, talk to your veterinarian first.
How can you tell if your cat is sick?
If your cat is hiding, it might be sick. This is because cats hide when they are in pain or feeling vulnerable. If you notice that your cat has stopped eating or drinking, it could also be a sign of illness.
If you notice that your cat has stopped eating or drinking, it could also be a sign of illness. Cats will often stop eating and drinking when they are ill because they feel uncomfortable around people and want to avoid contact with them as much as possible.
What should you do if your cat is sick?
Knowing what to do if your cat is sick is critical. Cats often get sick for various reasons, and you should take them to the vet if they show any signs of fever. If your cat is vomiting, lethargic, or having diarrhoea, it’s time to call a vet too.