How to Give Your Cat Medicine: Detailed Tips for When They Resist

Not only when your cat is feeling unwell, but also for disease prevention, medication may become necessary.

However, many owners struggle with issues like "the cat spitting out only the medicine" or "the cat getting violent because it hates the medicine." You certainly want to make sure your cat takes its medicine for the sake of its health.

Therefore, this article will explain the basics of how to give medicine to a cat and provide tips for when they resist.

Why cats hate medicine

Some cats will take their medicine without a fuss. However, such easygoing cats are very rare.

Most cats strongly dislike taking medicine. There is a good reason for this.

Dislike of smells and tastes

To a cat, medicine is a suspicious object with a strange smell and taste. Cats with strong caution instinctively dislike putting it in their mouths.

Above all, cats have a strong dislike for "bitterness" and "sourness." They perceive bitter or sour medicine as "poison" or "spoiled food." For a cat that cannot understand the concept of "medicine," it is simply a terrifying thing that threatens its life.

Trauma

If they have had a bad experience with medicine in the past, they may run away the moment they sense it.

While you want your cat to take its medicine properly, you need to find ways to give it without causing trauma.

Types of medicine for cats

Medicines prescribed for cats are roughly divided into four types. How to administer them varies depending on the form.

1. Tablets
2. Capsules
3. Powdered medicine
4. Syrup

Tablets and capsules are sometimes coated to mask their smell and taste. However, even if you think they have swallowed them, they might spit them out or cleverly dodge them.

Powdered medicine is easy to mix into food or water, but the cat might immediately detect it by the smell or taste...

Syrup is often flavored to be easier to take and can be administered directly with a dropper or similar tool. However, there are very few syrup-type medications available, so they may not be an option depending on the symptoms.

How to give medicine to a cat

To ensure your cat takes its medicine properly, first learn the basic method of administration.

How to give tablets and capsules

Tablets and capsules are placed directly into the mouth. Because they might spit them out along with their food, it is recommended to give them before a meal unless otherwise specified.

Steps for administration

1. Hold the tablet or capsule between the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand.
2. With the other hand, hold the cat’s cheekbones and tilt its head slightly upward.
3. Place the middle finger of the hand holding the medicine on the lower jaw to open the mouth.
4. Drop the medicine right at the base of the tongue.
5. Close the cat’s mouth and wait for it to swallow.
6. Gently stroke the throat from top to bottom to encourage swallowing.

Precautions when administering

If you drop the tablet or capsule onto the tongue, it will taste bitter.This may cause excessive drooling or foaming at the mouth, so be sure to drop it quietly at the base of the tongue.

They might secretly spit it out later, so keep an eye on them until they have clearly swallowed the medicine. Using a syringe to put a little water into their mouth can make swallowing easier.

How to give powdered medicine

Mixing powdered medicine into wet food is easiest for both, but many cats are sensitive to changes in smell and taste.

Especially antibiotics are very bitter and they will strongly dislike them. It is important to give the prescribed dose correctly, so make sure they consume it. Dissolving it in water and administering it with a dropper or syringe is less burdensome for the cat.

Steps for administration

1. Place the powdered medicine on a plate and dissolve it with a small amount of water (1–2 cc).
2. Draw it up into a syringe or dropper.
3. Hold the cat’s cheekbones and tilt its head slightly upward.
4. Insert the tip of the syringe or dropper from the side of the cat's mouth, behind the canine teeth.
5. Push it out little by little toward the throat.
6. Keep the head tilted up until it swallows.

Precautions when administering

When mixing with food, always make sure the cat has finished eating it all.

There are also methods of putting the powder into empty store-bought capsules or wafer papers. Consult your veterinarian before doing so.

How to give syrup

Liquid medicines like syrups should also be administered using a dropper or syringe. Be careful not to hurt the inside of the mouth.

Steps for administration

1. Draw up the syrup using a syringe or dropper.
2. Hold the cat’s cheekbones and tilt its head slightly upward.
3. Insert the tip of the syringe or dropper from the side of the cat's mouth, behind the canine teeth.
4. Push it out little by little toward the throat.
5. Keep the head tilted up until it swallows.

How to give medicine if the cat is violent

If your cat gets violent and resists when you try to give it medicine... it can be quite a struggle to get them to take it. To prevent injury to both you and your cat, try a few tricks.

Do it with two people

One person restrains the cat, while the other gives the medicine. To prevent the cat from backing away and escaping, securely hold its rear end between your legs.

If they still struggle, try restricting their movement from the neck down by "wrapping them in a bath towel" or "placing them in a laundry net."

Mix bitter medicine into delicious treats

Some cats will eat even bitter medicine if it is mixed into wet food or treats. There are treats specifically designed for medication, so here are a few.

However, some medicines change their effectiveness when mixed with food. Always check with your vet before mixing it with food or treats.

Medication Ciao Churu

This version of Churu has three times the viscosity of the regular one, making it convenient for wrapping around tablets or capsules. Some cats will eat it readily if you mix the powder in and apply it to the roof of their mouth.

While not specifically for medication, "Churu Bits" are also useful. You can stuff tablets or capsules inside them and give them as treats.

Medi-Ball

"Medi-Ball," which makes it easy to wrap medicine, is also popular. They come in many flavor variations, so try to find one your cat prefers.

Use tools designed for medication

There are tools on the market such as a "pill gun," a dispenser designed specifically for animals to hold medicine and drop it into the mouth, or a "pill crusher" to break down tablets.

Each requires careful handling, so always consult your veterinarian before use.

Summary

Many owners feel that giving medicine to a cat is a difficult task.

Seeing your cat resist can be quite painful for you as well. Try to find ways to make it as stress-free as possible for both you and your cat.

There are many ways to give medicine, but the key is to do it quickly and efficiently.

If it drags on, it becomes stressful for the cat. You also don't want them to develop a trauma toward medicine. If they absolutely refuse, try stopping and trying again later.

In addition to ensuring they take their medicine, it is also important to observe changes in your cat's health and behavior.

In the Poponeko "Cat Health Diary", you can record not only your medication schedule but also your cat's condition. It will be helpful when visiting the vet, so please try using it.