Giving medications to a cat can be a tough job for pet owners, especially if your cat doesn't want to cooperate. Whether you're trying to give your kitty a pill or a liquid, this process can be frustrating and result in a lot of wasted medication if your cat keeps spitting it out. It's important for your kitty to be dosed properly, so give these tips a try if your cat won't swallow its medication.
For Pills
Pills can be problematic for cats. They tend to taste bad, especially if they start to dissolve on the tongue, and a cat's automatic instincts may kick in to help prevent them from choking. Unfortunately, this means your cat will gag and cough to get the pill out.
To keep this from happening, try using a pill popper. These devices look like syringes and function a bit similarly, too. You mount the pill on the end and use the plunger that's inside the pill popper to swiftly eject the pill into your cat's mouth. If done correctly, it'll go past your cat's tongue to the back of the throat, where your kitty will instinctively swallow it.
For Liquids
Liquids are also typically a bit problematic because they often don't taste good. Some liquid medications are also a bit oily or sticky, which can cause your cat to foam at the mouth, flushing the medication out instead of swallowing it.
To fix this problem, try using a needle-free syringe and filling it full of water. Give your cat the medication first, and then immediately flush their mouth out with the water. This will help to push the medication to the back of the throat, increasing the likelihood that they'll swallow it. It can also be useful in washing any unpleasant-tasting medication off of your cat's tongue so that they won't sit around foaming at the mouth for minutes on end.
For Both
If you're having a hard time just getting the medication into your cat's mouth in the first place, consider trying these tips.
You can use an e-collar to help prevent your cat from being able to scratch you. Simply pop it over your cat's head and keep your hand tucked inside the cone while you're giving them their medication.
Furthermore, try to insert any medication from the side of the mouth. This will help to prevent your cat from being able to bite you with their sharper teeth that are more likely to break the skin.
If you continue to have trouble with your kitty's medications, consult with your veterinarian. However, these tips will likely improve your ability to dose your cat properly and to ensure that they take their medication easily.
Contact a center like Phoenixville Animal Hospital - R B Wolstenholme DVM for more help.
Do you remember the last time you really stopped to think about how healthy your animals were? Although it might seem like a simple task, keeping your animals happy, healthy, and well-adjusted can be difficult for just about anyone. However, with the help of a trained veterinarian, things become much more straightforward. I began working hard on helping my animals a few months back, and it was neat to explore how much better they were behaving. This website centers around identifying and resolving veterinary challenges one day at a time. Check out this website for great tips that could help you every day.