Is There A Button To Push?

[lizbud]

Is there a trick to getting a cat to open his mouth? Is it ok to squeeze
their cheeks? I'm having to dose Blackie twice a day with Clavamox and
so far, no luck putting the liquid into his mouth. :( I have been putting it
in his wet food & sitting there the whole time till he finishes all of it. He
has a great appetite, so that helps, but the vet tech said to put in into
his mouth. Cats are so delicate, & I don't want to hurt or scare him.

[Grace]

Are you using a syringe? I usually just get them in a hold and push the syringe in the side of the mouth - and squirt away. If my hubby is around, he holds and gets the mouth wide open. Then the pill or liquid gets put as far back as I can get it.

Mixing liquid with food never works for me. They sense or smell or something, but it will sit there for days uneaten.

With pills, I cut them in smaller pieces, either halves or quarters, and hide it in a piece of shrimp. That works like a charm for Charley. Just put one piece at a time in the bowl and down it goes!

[RedHedd]

I gently pull their widdle chin down, pop the pill or squirt the meds in, quickly shut the mouth and plant a big ole smooch right on their sweet little kitty lips. Works every time for me :D

[lizbud]

Yes, it has a syringe like doser. It's all liquid, no pills.

Blackie starts backing up on the table & I'm afraid he'll fall off. He hates
to have his face held. :( I'll try again in the morning. (already had the
evening dose today) I'll try prying down the chin & squirting it in.

Will a cat swallow it if it is just put inside the lip? Thanks.

[Kater]

Take a look at this how-to video.... http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/liquid_medications

I think it is very well done! I hope it helps. :)

[kuhio98]

When we had to dose Cammie with liquid antibiotics after her dental -- and Pepper after her tail amputation -- we wrapped them up in a towel like a burrito and held them like a baby.

Then we'd put our fingers on either side of their jaw (where the hinge connects to the face) and gently squeeze. When they opened up the tiniest bit, in went the medicine!

[Medusa]

I place my cats at waist height, usually on a countertop, with their face pointing to the right. I reach behind the head, fingers on the opposite side, thumb facing me and I tilt the head back and squirt the liquid in or pop the pill in. Done deal.

[lizbud]

Take a look at this how-to video.... http://partnersah.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/liquid_medications

I think it is very well done! I hope it helps. :)


Thanks so much for the help guys. :) The video makes it seem so easy.
I think maybe I'm rushing it a bit & maybe should take things a little slower.

This all has really been a big help for me & I appreciate it. :)

[Edwina's Secretary]

Liz...have you found the button yet? I believe it is located right under the tail. Take a look..... :D ;) :p (This would have been better yesterday...)

[Barbara]

I place my cats at waist height, usually on a countertop, with their face pointing to the right. I reach behind the head, fingers on the opposite side, thumb facing me and I tilt the head back and squirt the liquid in or pop the pill in. Done deal.

What does the back of the cat do while you are doing all this to the head?

[Randi]

Liz, the video clip Kater posted was a great way of doing it - IF your cat is that mellow. ;) It's a different matter if they put up a fight, but in any case, it's a good idea to be behind the cat. I normally have Fister in the window sill (hip high). I lean over him to stroke him first, and have the pill ready, then, I put my finger under his front tooth to open his mouth and pop the pill in. It usually works. ;)

At this point, give him a kiss on his pretty little nose, the amazement will make him swallow :D - or stroke him on the throat until he does.

[Medusa]

What does the back of the cat do while you are doing all this to the head?
Actually, they just sit down. It's all done so quickly.

[Freedom]

I have NO luck with liquid so I always specifically ask for the pills.

Sometimes I sit in the recliner and wedge kitty in beside me so I can easily work the head without the back end having any place to maneuver.

Sometimes I quickly scoop kitty up into a 'baby' hold, (legs in the air, resting in my arms) and get the pill in before the cat even realizes it is pill time.

Sometimes I call Dad for help.

Sometimes I give up until the next dose!

[lizbud]

Liz...have you found the button yet? I believe it is located right under the tail. Take a look..... :D ;) :p (This would have been better yesterday...)


Right. :rolleyes: LOL I don't think so. :)


Still haven't made it yet. :o :o So far, so good, on getting it inside
him. When mixed in his food. Vet tech said it was bitter tasting ,but
Blackie doesn't seem to mind it at all. HOORAY. :)

As lomg as I sit & watch him clean his plate, I'm thinking he is still getting
his medicine dosage.

[Cataholic]

The counter top works best for me. I lean over the cat, with his butt in the crook of my elbow, and my body serves as a cave from which he cannot escape, and use my right hand to do the deed. My left hand is using force equal to 15 men, holding the head in place. Then, I ask Jonah to come mop my brow, because I am sweating profusely at this moment, and cuss words slip right out, sadly.

My RB cat, Tex, was so flipping easy to medicate. Thank goodness, as it was 2 times a day for 8 years. It took about 5 seconds, and next to zero force.

With Dakky? I swear he goes from 16 pounds to 160 while I am turned away from him getting the meds out of the fridge.

When you are giving it in food, make sure you put just a tiny bit of food down...they seem to scarf it up fast as soon as you put it down. Last choice? Have it compounded. LOL, we have on here, in Cinti, Liz...

[lizbud]

When you are giving it in food, make sure you put just a tiny bit of food down...they seem to scarf it up fast as soon as you put it down. Last choice? Have it compounded. LOL, we have on here, in Cinti, Liz...


I caught on to "just putting a tiny bit down " pretty quick Johanna. ;)
I am feeding the soft food with lots of gravy in it to help cover up the
dose of medicine & so far. so good.

Blackie is a very mellow boy & loves his food. He's looking so much better
& acting better too. :)