Eventually, there will come a time in your cat’s life when you need to give them medicine. The medical issue could range from minor to severe, and administering the medication correctly to ensure your cat receives the entire dose is essential to their healing process.
Many cat owners have a difficult time giving their cat medicine. Most cats don’t like to take medication and fight their pet parent by wiggling out of their arms and sometimes scratching and clawing their way out from being held down.
If you are a pet parent to an adorable but feisty cat, using special techniques to give your cat liquid medicine will help the process go smoother. However, getting your cat’s nails clipped before you administer the medication will prevent clawing and injury to you and your cat.
If you can’t get their nails trimmed in time, you can use one of the methods mentioned below that require you to wrap your cat in a blanket or towel to avoid getting scratched. Keep reading to find out how to give a cat liquid medicine safely.
How to Give a Difficult Cat Liquid Medication
Mix the medicine in their food – This sneaky technique is the easiest way to give your cat liquid medication. Putting the dosage in wet cat food is especially helpful since the food smell will overpower any unusual scent the drug produces.
You can also put the dosage of medicine in dry cat food, but your cat will most likely detect the smell. An excellent option is to mix the wet cat food with the kibble and thoroughly mix the medicine into the combination.
Use a syringe: If your cat refuses to eat the food with the medication, using a syringe is your next best option. The first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right dosage amount in the syringe. Then hold your cat in your arms using your forearm and body to hold them securely.
Chances are your cat is going to naturally meow and open its mouth. It would be best if you acted quickly to administer the medicine before they close their mouth.
Use a towel: Some cats are extremely fussy and almost dangerous when you try to hold them down. Any pet parent who has ended up with stitches from a cat scratch will understand these challenging cats. If this situation sounds familiar or you’ve tried to prevent it from happening, using a towel as a tool to get the job done is the way to go.
Wrap a towel around your cat, so their paws are safely tucked inside. Hold your cat in a safe position or tuck them under your arm to prevent them from running away. Then use the syringe to place the medicine in their mouth.
How do I get my cat to open his mouth for medicine?
As mentioned earlier, wrapping your cat in a towel or blanket to protect yourself from their nails is recommended, especially when attempting to open your cat’s mouth. 
Once you have them secured in the blanket, put your thumb on one side of your cat’s mouth and your index finger on the other corner.
Gently apply pressure to your cat’s mouth using a downward motion to open the jaw.
As soon as they open their mouth, squeeze the syringe filled with the dose of medicine into their mouth. Let go of your cat’s mouth as soon as the dosage is finished.
Your cat will automatically close its mouth. Chances are they will spend a few seconds licking their mouth due to the taste of the medication.
If your cat spits out the medication after releasing its jaw, make sure you gently hold its mouth closed the next time you give the dosage. Keeping its mouth shut for a few seconds will help them naturally swallow and consume the medication.
Bottom Line
Giving your cat liquid medicine doesn’t need to be a difficult job. First, try to mix the dosage in its food. If that doesn’t work, move to the next option, such as wrapping them in a blanket and gently opening its mouth. You know your cat the best, and you need to find the right moment to give them medicine.
Waiting until your cat is in a calm and relaxed mood is recommended to make the process easier for you. Remember to speak softly and calmly to your cat as you explain the process you are going through. Some cats prefer soft classical music to soothe their nerves.
Once you find the best moment for your cat, give them the dose. Remember, if you make the process pleasant, your cat won’t be too eager to run away from taking its medicine. Visit the PetStruggles homepage for more expert information!
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