Ask a Vet with Dr. Sam: How do I give my cat oral medication?

Help! How do I give my cat oral medication when he really doesn’t like it?

When it comes to cats not liking to take their medicine, you should know that your cat is not unique. No matter how unwilling your cat may be, it is still important that he gets the proper doses of his prescription so he can get better. While the process of giving oral medication to your cat can be intimidating, there are tips to help make it a little easier for both of you:

• Ask an expert. Have your veterinarian show you how to give your cat medication before you leave their office, especially if you have never done it before or have had difficulty in the past.
• Positive association. Avoid making your cat’s aversion to taking medicine even worse by forcing your cat from a hiding place or interrupting its eating or grooming. Be sure to give your cat positive reinforcement (i.e., treats, brushing and petting) after he takes his medicine.
• Be prepared. Arrange all the medications you are giving in advance (tablets should be set out and liquids drawn into an oral syringe) and make sure they are in easy reach.
• Remain as calm as possible. Cats can pick up on our stress, so breathe deeply and approach your cat with slow and confident moves.
  • Pills: Tip your cat’s head back so his nose is straight up. Make sure you place the pill far back on your cat’s tongue to make it easier for him to swallow (and less likely to spit it out!). Gently massage your cat’s throat to help him swallow the pill. (Note: There are pilling devices that can be used to place a pill inside your cat’s mouth if that gives you more confidence than using your fingers.)
  • Liquid: Gently insert the syringe at the side of his mouth. Position the syringe to squirt onto the back of your cat’s tongue from the side and not directly down his throat. Be careful not to tilt his head back as this could cause him to inhale some of the liquid or choke. Squirt the medication slowly into his mouth.

You might be tempted to try to avoid directly giving your cat his oral medicine and instead crush his pills or mix the liquid into his food to hide it. Unless your veterinarian says that the medication must be given with food, do not use food to trick your cat. Medicine, especially crushed pills, can taste bitter which means your cat likely will not eat the full dosage. Also, this approach may cause food aversion and reduce your cat’s intake at a time when getting proper nutrition is extra important. There are pill pockets available to help “disguise” pills and make administering them easier; check with your vet for more information and then see if your cat will eat them.

Don’t expect purr-fect results when you first start to give your cat oral medicine; this is definitely a circumstance where things improve with practice. And just keep reminding yourself that it is all worth it to help your cat feel better!

Do you have a question for the vet? We want to hear it! Email questions to steph@mrfrs.org.