{"id":37796,"date":"2024-06-11T19:58:15","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T17:58:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/1d0a061f-5de1-4331-9cba-07d11d5c6eb4"},"modified":"2024-06-11T21:26:41","modified_gmt":"2024-06-11T19:26:41","slug":"how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"How to give cats medicine &#8211; liquid or tablets &#8211; without getting scratched or bitten from the experts at Cats Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"rssexcerpt\">Worried about giving your cat the medicine your vet has prescribed? Here are some tips from the experts at Cats Protection that should make it easier for you &#8211; and help you avoid being scratched <\/p><p class=\"rssauthor\">By <\/p><p class=\"rssbyline\">Published: Tuesday, 11 June 2024 at 17:58 PM<\/p><hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\" standalone=\"yes\"?>\n<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><p><strong>For many cat owners,\u00a0giving your pet\u00a0medicine\u00a0can be a daunting task. But whether it\u2019s routine\u00a0worming treatment or medicine for an illness, administering medicine\u00a0is vital for your cat\u2019s health.<\/strong> <\/p><ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/how-do-i-take-my-cat-to-the-vet-without-stress\">How do I take my cat to the vet without stress?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/cat-vaccinations-which-vaccinations-cats-need-and-when-kittens-should-receive-their-first-jab\">Cat vaccinations: which vaccinations cats need and when kittens should receive their first jab<\/a><\/li><\/ul><p>Sarah Elliott, Central Veterinary Officer for<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cats.org.uk\/\"> Cats Protection<\/a> explains how to make the process easier for you and your pet.\u00a0<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-do-i-need-to-know-before-giving-my-cat-medicine\">What do I need to know before giving my cat medicine?<\/h2><p>Before you begin, make sure you have all the details you need about your cat\u2019s medication. You\u2019ll need to be clear on the dose required, whether it should be given on a full or empty stomach and if it can be mixed with food. If you\u2019re unsure, check with your vet and only use medication which has been prescribed by them.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-i-nbsp-give-my-cat-a-tablet\">How do I\u00a0give my cat a tablet?<\/h2><p>Giving your cat a pill will be easier if you\u2019re well prepared\u00a0and choose a time of day when you\u2019re not rushed.\u00a0<\/p><p>Make sure there\u2019s no background distractions and that your cat is relaxed\u00a0and calm. It may help if you have someone else to assist, but this person should be someone the cat knows and is comfortable with. When you\u2019re ready,\u00a0you can follow these steps:\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Position your cat so there is a \u2018bum stop\u2019 behind them \u2013 this can be achieved by\u00a0having their bottom against your body or a wall and will prevent them from backing away.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0If you have a helper, they can gently hold the cat\u2019s chest and upper front legs.<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0With one hand, hold your cat\u2019s cheekbones towards the back of their head, avoiding their teeth and whiskers. Now you can gently tilt their head back.<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Using your other hand, gently open their mouth using a finger on their front teeth \u2013 avoid the canines, as these are sharp.\u00a0Pop in the tablet towards the end back of the tongue and then close the mouth. Stroking the throat in a downward motion will encourage your cat to swallow.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Release your cat but keep an eye on them to see if they spit out the tablet. If they lick their lips, it\u2019s a good sign they have swallowed it.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Your cat may retreat for a few minutes to\u00a0calm themselves afterwards \u2013 this is\u00a0normal\u00a0and you should give your cat some time and space. If they don\u2019t seem too bothered, you can give them a reward, like a small food treat, a fuss, or playing their favourite game.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to give your cat a pill by hand\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/m_AjEaHqZxc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/><\/div><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-if-nbsp-my-nbsp-cat-nbsp-won-t-let-me-give-them-a-tablet\">What if\u00a0my\u00a0cat\u00a0won\u2019t let me give them a tablet?<\/h3><p>If you\u2019re having trouble giving your cat a tablet \u2013 either because they\u2019re particularly wriggly or because they are easily stressed \u2013 you may need to be creative.\u00a0<\/p><p>As long as\u00a0your vet says the medicine can be given with food, you can try sneaking it into a treat or\u00a0crushing into\u00a0their usual food\u00a0or a treat.\u00a0However, because\u00a0cats have an excellent sense of smell, you may need to use a strong-smelling food like tuna to disguise\u00a0it.<\/p><p>\u00a0If you\u2019re still having\u00a0difficulty, your vet may be able to prescribe a liquid version or give you some tips on making it easier for you and your cat.\u00a0It\u2019s a good idea to mix with only a small amount of food, as it\u2019ll reduce the risk of your cat becoming full and walking away before they\u2019ve eaten all the\u00a0dose.\u00a0<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-i-wrap-my-cat-in-a-towel-to-give-them-medication\">Can I wrap my cat in a towel to give them medication?<\/h3><p>If you can\u2019t mix with food and are still struggling, you could try the\u00a0\u2018towel wrap\u2019 method to\u00a0hold your cat. It\u2019s worth remembering that some cats find this particularly stressful so it should only be used as a last resort, and with a gentle approach. <\/p><p>For this, you\u2019ll need a large, soft towel placed on the floor which you\u2019ll place your cat on. Gently bring up one side of the towel and then the other around the cat\u2019s body so they cannot move their legs out of the opening. You can then follow the steps above for administering the tablet. <\/p><p>Afterwards, you can offer a positive reward like a treat,\u00a0game\u00a0or a fuss \u2013 but remember, give your cat time and space on their own if they need it.\u00a0<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-can-i-give-my-cat-liquid-medicine\">How can I give my cat liquid medicine?<\/h2><p>Liquid medicine\u00a0can normally be easily mixed with your cat\u2019s usual food, or a tasty treat, so long as your vet says it\u2019s okay. If you do mix with food, keep an eye on your cat while they\u2019re eating so you can be sure they\u2019ve\u00a0not left any, as this could mean they\u2019re not getting the full dose.\u00a0<\/p><p>A good idea is to wait until mealtimes and then just offer a spoonful of food with the medication in it. Once this has been eaten, you can add the rest of their food to the bowl. Some medications must be given with food and not on an empty stomach, so check with your vet.\u00a0<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-do-i-nbsp-use-drop-on-or-spot-on-flea-treatment\"><strong>How do I\u00a0<\/strong><strong>use drop on or spot on flea treatment?<\/strong><\/h3><p>Flea treatment\u00a0can be given as a long-acting tablet but\u00a0is most commonly available from your vet in a \u2018spot on\u2019 format, which is applied directly to the cat\u2019s body. T<\/p><p>his is an effective way of\u00a0protecting your cat from fleas\u00a0and avoids the need for you to give a tablet.\u00a0Even so,\u00a0the sensation of a strong-smelling liquid being applied\u00a0may\u00a0make some cats particularly wriggly and tricky to treat. By following these steps, you can help make it easier and less stressful for you both:\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Make sure your cat is relaxed, calm and in a safe, familiar environment.\u00a0If there\u2019s another person to help, they can gently but firmly hold your cat\u2019s shoulders.<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0With one hand, gently part the fur on the back of your cat\u2019s neck, between their shoulder blades,\u00a0to reveal a thin line of skin. Using your other hand, gently squeeze the\u00a0liquid treatment up and down this line.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0Remember, the liquid has a very strong smell for cats\u00a0so try not to unscrew it until the last moment, so your cat is less likely to pick up on it.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0If your cat becomes too stressed and wriggly,\u00a0stop\u00a0and try again later.\u00a0You want to avoid your cat becoming stressed as this can be damaging for their well-being.\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022\u00a0After applying the treatment, your cat may want to retreat to a quiet area for a while. Give them time and space on their own. If they do stick around, you can offer a reward like a small food treat, a\u00a0fuss\u00a0or a game.\u00a0<\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-is-flea-and-worming-treatment-nbsp-really-necessary\">Is flea and worming treatment\u00a0really necessary?<\/h3><p>Yes!\u00a0Parasites\u00a0such as\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/apple-news\/how-to-get-rid-of-fleas-on-dogs\">fleas<\/a> and worms can be painful and uncomfortable for your cat, and, in some cases, can lead to serious complications.\u00a0Fleas can hop on\u00a0and off human clothing, so even if you have an indoor cat, they may still get into your home.<\/p><p>Cats which have a\u00a0flea allergy\u00a0may suffer painful problems associated with bites, like fur loss and inflamed, sore skin.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/when-do-kittens-open-their-eyes\">Kittens <\/a>are\u00a0also particularly vulnerable to flea infestations\u00a0and in some cases can develop life-threatening anaemia.\u00a0Worms can also cause real problems for your cat including vomiting, diarrhoea, irritation around their bottom.<\/p><p><strong>Love cats?\u00a0Check out our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\">pets<\/a>\u00a0section for advice on cat care, from\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/what-is-catnip-and-what-does-catnip-do-to-cats\"><strong>what is catnip and what does catnip do to cats?<\/strong><\/a><strong>\u00a0to\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/how-to-stop-cats-scratching-furniture\"><strong>how to stop cats scratching furniture<\/strong><\/a> <strong>and even<a href=\"https:\/\/www.countryfile.com\/animals\/pets\/stop-cats-pooping-in-garden\">\u00a0how to stop cats pooping in your garden<\/a><\/strong><\/p><hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/><p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cats.org.uk\/\">Cats Protection<\/a>\u00a0is the UK&#8217;s largest cat welfare charity and have experts in all aspects of feline welfare. They help around 200,000 cats and kittens every year thanks in no small part to their network of over 230 volunteer-run branches and over 30 centres.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Worried about giving your cat the medicine your vet has prescribed? Here are some tips from the experts at Cats Protection that should make it easier for you &#8211; and help you avoid being scratched <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":37797,"template":"","categories":[1],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection.jpg",2120,1414,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-768x512.jpg",768,512,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-1024x683.jpg",800,534,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-1536x1024.jpg",1536,1024,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/45\/2024\/06\/how-to-give-cats-medicine-liquid-or-tablets-without-getting-scratched-or-bitten-from-the-experts-at-cats-protection-2048x1366.jpg",2048,1366,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Worried about giving your cat the medicine your vet has prescribed? Here are some tips from the experts at Cats Protection that should make it easier for you - and help you avoid being scratched","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/37796"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37797"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37796"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37796"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}