Liquid Formula

If your cat refuses to take medication or is too sick to eat normally, the vet may prescribe the medicine in a liquid formula to be administered via syringe. Most forms of liquid medicine need to be kept refrigerated. However, cats are more likely to accept medicine that is at room temperature. Never microwave medication. You can warm it up by holding the syringe in your hand for a few minutes or submerging it in a cup of warm (not hot) water.

As noted earlier, hold your cat in a safe, comfortable way with the syringe in your dominant hand. Allow your cat to lick the tip of the syringe so they can sample the medicine, then depress slowly on the plunger. Aim the stream of medicine toward the back of their throat, but be careful not to tilt their head back as this could cause them to inhale some of the liquid or choke.

Once the medicine is in your cat’s mouth, hold their mouth closed for a bit to make sure they swallow the liquid. Don't worry if they spit out some of the medicine — it's common. Even if some ends up on your lap, avoid re-medicating and wait until the next dosage is due.

Eye and Ear Drops

Sometimes, a cat needs to take eye or ear drops, particularly if they have allergies. Just as when you administer a pill or liquid formulas, you'll need to hold your cat securely to administer them.

For eye drops, Blue Cross first recommends letting your cat sniff the bottle and get familiar with the scent. Then, you can reward them with a treat so that they associate the scent with a positive feeling. When you’re ready to administer the eye drops, use the finger and thumb of your non-dominant hand to hold your cat’s eyelid open, and then use your dominant hand to administer the medication. It’s often best to come from above, below or from the side of their head, rather than straight at their face, so they don't see it coming. Never touch the cat's eye with the eye dropper or your fingers.

For ear drops, place the required number of drops into your cat’s ear and then gently massage the base of the ear in a circular motion. Your cat won't like either of these methods, but as with all medication for cats, it's vital to their health.

Injections

Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, require pet parents to inject medication under the skin. You'll benefit from a second set of hands when giving injections, so enlist a helper to keep your cat in place with a towel or a firm but gentle grip.

A cat may require an injection depending on the medication, so ask your vet to show you how and where you should give the injection. Always use a new needle for each dose and record the time and date of every injection. Be sure to speak to your vet if you have any concerns about administering injections, or if you need further advice or guidance. 

After administering medication, give your cat some extra snuggles. They may also want some alone time, so give them the time and space they need if they want to hide for a bit. Never throw a needle in the rubbish bin when you're finished; dispose of it in an approved sharps container or bring it to your local pharmacy or veterinarian's office.

If you suspect your cat is sick, first contact your vet to schedule a checkup and only give your pet the specific medicine prescribed by the vet. You should never give your cat over-the-counter (OTC) medicines formulated for people (including eye drops), because many of these medications may be hazardous to pets. 

These tips are intended to only be helpful thought-starters. You should always have a conversation with your vet on the best course of action for administering medicine to your cat. Additionally, a thorough examination by a vet is the best course of action to correctly diagnose and treat your cat of any illnesses.

Whether it's a short course of antibiotics or a lifelong means of managing a condition, medicine for cats is sometimes necessary. They may not thank you, but your cat will be happy to be healthy!