How to Administer Medine to a Cat

Giving pills to cats with neck pain or to vicious cats can bedangerous.

- Place the palm of your hand over your cat's muzzle. With the thumb on oneside and your fingers on the other, press hard against and under the upperteeth.

- Tilt the head up slightly. This usually causes the lower jaw to relax and dropa little.

- Using the middle finger of your other hand, push the lower jaw open.

- With your thumb and index finger, place the pill in the center of the tonguenear its base.

- Close the mouth quickly and tap your pet's nose with your finger. This willcause the cat to lick and then swallow.

- Fractious cats can be held by the back of the neck. Open the lower jaw witha pencil (always use the eraser end). Toss the pill in the back of the throatand gently tap it down with the pencil.

A plastic pill gun (purchased from your veterinarian or pet shop) is veryhandy and can save your fingers from getting hung up on your cat's teeth. A flexibletip holds the tablet or capsule within the barrel until deposited in your cat's mouth.A sharp push on the barrel delivers the pill to the back of the throat.

GIVING LIQUIDS TO YOUR CAT

- Hold your cat's head at a 45° angle.

- Make a pouch in the corner of the lip fold by pulling the cheek outward.

- Using a spoon or eye dropper, slowly pour the liquid into the pouch.

- If your cat does not swallow the liquid automatically, jiggle the pouchslightly or tap on the nose with your finger; this will cause it to swallow. Besure to keep the head at a 45° angle until the liquid is swallowed.

Placing your cat in the bathtub will help avert a mess.