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

There are times when your cat may need medication not only when they are unwell, but also as a preventative measure.

However, many cat owners struggle with issues like "my cat spits out the medicine" or "my cat resists the medicine and becomes aggressive." For your cat's health, it's important for them to take their medication properly.

This article will explain the basics of how to give medication to your cat and tips for when they resist.

Reasons Why Cats Dislike Medication

Some cats will readily take their medication, but such easygoing cats are very rare.

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

They Dislike the Smell and Taste

For cats, medicine is a suspicious substance with a strange smell and taste. Cats, being cautious by nature, instinctively dislike putting unfamiliar things in their mouths.

Above all, cats have a strong aversion to "bitterness" and "sourness." They may perceive bitter or sour medication as "poison" or "spoiled food." For cats who don't understand "medicine," it's nothing short of a scary, life-threatening substance.

They Have Trauma

If a cat has had a bad experience with medication in the past, they may flee as soon as they sense its presence.

While it's important for cats to take their medication properly, we need to find ways to administer it without causing trauma.

Types of Cat Medication

Medication prescribed for cats generally falls into four types. The method of administration varies depending on the form.

1. Tablets
2. Capsules
3. Powder
4. Syrup

Tablets and capsules may sometimes be coated to mask their smell and taste. However, cats might still spit them out or cleverly avoid them even after appearing to swallow them.

Powdered medicine is easy to mix with food or water, but many cats are quick to detect changes in smell or taste.

Syrups are often formulated to be palatable and can be administered directly with a dropper or syringe. However, syrup-type medications are quite rare, so they may not be an option depending on the condition.

How to Give Medication to Your Cat

To ensure your cat takes their medication properly, let's first learn the basic methods of administration.

How to Administer Tablets and Capsules

Tablets and capsules are placed directly into the mouth. Since they can sometimes be vomited along with food, it's recommended to administer them before meals if there's no specific timing instruction.

Administration Procedure

1. Hold the tablet or capsule with the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand.
2. With your other hand, hold your cat's cheekbones and gently tilt their head upwards.
3. Use the middle finger of the hand holding the medication to press on the lower jaw and open their mouth.
4. Drop the medication onto the base of their tongue.
5. Close your cat's mouth and wait for them to swallow.
6. Gently stroke their throat downwards to encourage swallowing.

Points to Note During Administration

If tablets or capsules are dropped onto the tongue, the cat will experience a bitter taste. To avoid excessive drooling or foaming, try to drop the medication gently onto the base of the tongue.

Cats sometimes secretly spit out medication later, so make sure to watch them until they have fully swallowed it. Giving a small amount of water with a syringe can help them swallow more easily.

How to Administer Powdered Medication

It's easiest for both you and your cat if powdered medicine is mixed into wet food, but many cats are sensitive to changes in smell and taste.

Antibiotics, in particular, are very bitter and cats strongly dislike them. It's important to ensure the prescribed amount is taken, so administer it reliably. Administering it dissolved in water with a dropper or syringe reduces the burden on your cat.

Administration Procedure

1. Place the powdered medicine in a dish and dissolve it in 1-2cc of water.
2. Draw the solution into a syringe or dropper.
3. Hold your cat's cheekbones and gently tilt their head upwards.
4. Insert the tip of the syringe or dropper into the side of your cat's mouth, behind the canine teeth.
5. Slowly push the solution towards the throat.
6. Keep their head tilted upwards until they swallow.

Points to Note During Administration

When mixing with food, always make sure the cat has eaten all of it.

Alternatively, you can put powdered medicine into empty capsules or edible films (such as oblaat) available commercially. Always consult with your veterinarian before using these methods.

How to Administer Syrup

Liquid medications like syrups are also administered using a dropper or syringe. Be careful not to injure the inside of the cat's mouth.

Administration Procedure

1. Draw the syrup into a syringe or dropper.
2. Hold your cat's cheekbones and gently tilt their head upwards.
3. Insert the tip of the syringe or dropper into the side of your cat's mouth, behind the canine teeth.
4. Slowly push the solution towards the throat.
5. Keep their head tilted upwards until they swallow.

How to Give Medication to a Cat That Resists

It's a struggle to give medication to a cat that resists and becomes aggressive. Let's try some tips to avoid injury to both you and your cat.

Administer with Two People

One person can hold the cat, while the other administers the medication. To prevent the cat from backing away and escaping, firmly hold the cat's hindquarters between your thighs.

If the cat still resists, try restricting its movement from the neck down by "wrapping its body in a bath towel" or "placing its body below the neck in a laundry net."

Mix Bitter Medicine with Delicious Treats

Some cats will readily eat bitter medicine when it's mixed with wet food or treats. Here are a few commercially available medication treats.

However, some medications may have altered effects when mixed with food. Always check with your veterinarian before mixing medication with food or treats.

Medication Churu

Medication Churu has three times the viscosity of regular Churu, making it convenient for wrapping tablets and capsules. Some cats will eat powdered medicine mixed in and applied to the roof of their mouth.

Although not specifically for medication, "Churu Bites" are also useful. You can stuff tablets or capsules inside and give them as a treat.

MediBall

"MediBall," which is easy to wrap around medicine, is also popular. It comes in many flavor variations, so you can find one your cat likes.

Use Dedicated Medication Tools

There are also commercially available tools such as a "pill gun," a dedicated medication dispenser for animals that holds and drops pills into the mouth, and a "pill crusher" for finely crushing tablets.

Care is needed when handling these, so always consult with your veterinarian before using them.

Summary

Many cat owners find it challenging to give their cats medication.

It's a bit disheartening to see your cat resist. Let's try to find ways to minimize stress for both you and your cat.

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

If it takes too long, it becomes stressful for the cat, and they might develop a trauma related to medication. If they absolutely refuse, try to back off for a moment.

In addition to ensuring your cat takes their medication, it's also important to observe changes in their health and behavior.

Poponeko's "Cat Health Notebook" allows you to record not only the medication schedule but also changes in your cat's condition. It can be useful when visiting the vet, so please consider using it.