1. Draw up the
prescribed amount of medication in the eyedropper or oral syringe.
2. Firmly grasp your
cat’s head using your non-dominant hand. If you are right-handed, use your left
hand. Grasp on top of the head, just on top of the ears with the thumb on one
side of the face and the fingers on the other. Avoid holding the lower jaw and
do not hold it so tight that it is uncomfortable or your cat cannot swallow. You
may need someone to help hold the front legs and chest of the cat to keep him
still. Some people find that wrapping their cat in a towel or blanket is a good
restraint technique.
3. Once his head is
held in place, raise the nose to point toward the ceiling. The mouth should then
open.
4. Place the tip of the
eyedropper or syringe in the mouth just behind the long canine teeth in the area
where there are either no teeth or small, flat teeth.
5. Advance the
eyedropper until it is just past the tooth line (jaw bone).
6. Slowly administer
the medication and be careful not to give it faster than your cat can swallow.
7. Be prepared for some
spitting of the medications. If this occurs, do not re-administer another dose
unless you feel the entire dose of the medication has not been given.
8. The quicker you
perform this procedure, the more cooperative your cat will be.
9. Always remember to
praise your cat and maybe offer a treat after receiving medication. This will
help make future medicine times easier.
