How to Safely Give Medicine to Cats It’s notoriously difficult to give cats medicine. If a sick cat coughs or vomits after taking the medicine, there are good reasons to stop trying to take the medicine with the method you are using. The most common way to administer drugs that can cause problems is dry pills. Like we’ve ever tried to swallow dry aspirin without liquid, then realize how uncomfortable the experience is. Dry capsules can be dangerous for cats Dry pills without water can cause the pill to get stuck in the cat’s esophagus, which is the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.
Tablets and capsules have the potential to “get stuck”, and even though we consider capsules to have a smooth, gel-like surface, they can easily enter the esophagus if dry capsules are used. If a person eats dry pills repeatedly, multiple capsules or tablets can get stuck in the cat’s throat. How to give your cat a liquid medicine One way is to dilute the medicine with 6ml of water through a needleless syringe or dropper. It may seem impossible to force a cat to drink water, but it can help. Use a syringe to pill the liquid. Use a pet syringe from the veterinarian’s office and fill it with plain water or low-sodium broth. It is recommended to approach your cat with a syringe from the back or side to make it easier to give fluids, rather than forcing the syringe into the front of the mouth.
Keep your cat’s head level, not tilted back, to facilitate swallowing. When applying the liquid chaser after dry pilling, be careful not to apply the liquid quickly and give your cat time to swallow. Using food to avoid throat jams Fortunately, there are more tricks you can use to prevent problems when giving your cat oral medication. You may be able to treat your cat with food and treats. Hide pills in pill pockets or other pill-masking products. You can buy pill pockets or make your own. Pre-pill bags are soft, cone-shaped treats with a hole in the center where you can place your pills.
Offer a favorite snack from time to time, pill-free, to encourage future pilling collaborations. It also helps get the pill into the stomach quickly so it can work. Give your cat a small portion of canned food before pilling. Then, give your cat a pill and feed it after it has swallowed it. It will help the pill fall smoothly. Mixing Medications to Avoid Pills If all else fails, ask your veterinarian for help giving your cat a different form of medication. While the cost may be a little higher, the result may be a more palatable medication for your cat. Some pharmacies will mix the medication into flavored liquid doses. It’s easier to swallow and tastier than pills. Compounding pharmacies can also make certain medications into a gel or ointment that you apply to your cat’s inner ear. At least one of these solutions can reduce the anxiety and discomfort of a stuck throat for you and your cat. This will help ensure that the drug reaches the intestines for absorption, rather than getting stuck in the cat’s throat.
