If you’re like many cat owners, you dread the thought of trying to administer oral medication to your kitty. Here are some tips to make the process easier:

·          If your cat is prescribed a pill, but you know it’s easier to administer liquid medication, ask your veterinarian if it comes in liquid form.

·          Many veterinarians can add flavors to liquid medication, such as chicken, tuna, or malt. If your veterinarian doesn’t have those resources, your local pharmacy probably does. As your veterinarian whether the prescription can have added flavoring.

·          Some medications can be reformulated into transdermal form by a compounding pharmacy. Transdermal medication slowly absorbs through the skin. If you’re unable to give your cat a pill or liquid, the transdermal method can be much easier. The medication is usually rubbed on the inside ear tip.

·          Don’t crush medication in food because cats have an acute sense of smell and can detect it. If the cat only partially eats the meal, then he won’t be getting the appropriate amount of medication. Crushing a coated pill can expose the bitter-tasting medicine, causing the cat to reject it.

·          If your cat likes treats, there’s a product available called Pill Pockets that can make medicating much easier. The treat has a pocket where you can hide the pill. Pill Pockets have a very strong taste and scent, and many cats readily eat them. The product is available at pet supply stores and online. You can also find them at our website.

·          If you’re afraid to have your hands near your cat’s teeth you can purchase a special pill gun from pet stores or your veterinarian. The pill is released into the cat’s mouth by way of a small plastic plunger.

For more information refer to the book Starting from Scratch.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC