If your cat is very placid, it may be sufficient to hold it. If you have an assistant, he or she should place a hand on each of the cat’s shoulders and gently grips the cat’s upper forelegs. This keeps the cat still and stops it from lifting a front paw to scratch. [1] X Research source BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Cooper and Mullineux. BSAVA Publications You or the assistant can also cuddle the cat to your chest or stomach, to stop the cat backing away or wriggling sideways. [2] X Research source BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Cooper and Mullineux. BSAVA Publications If your cat is wiggly or likely to scratch you, you’ll need to wrap the cat in the towel. Wrap your feline snugly, with just its head protruding. A snug fit around the neck ensures the claws are safely contained inside and cannot scratch you. [3] X Research source BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Cooper and Mullineux. BSAVA Publications To do this, fold one half of the towel over the cat’s back and repeat with the opposite half so that the cat is contained within the towel. Take up any slack in the towel around its neck, so that its front legs are pinned against its body and contained within the towel. If you have an assistant, have him or her put their hands on the outside of the towel, over the cat’s shoulders, to steady the animal.

If you are left-handed, use your right hand to open the cat’s mouth so your left hand is free to administer the medication. This approach forces the cat to open its mouth slightly in order to avoid biting its own lip, while also minimizing the likelihood that you will be bitten.

This can be done without shifting your left-hand grip, simply by rotating your wrist. Tipping its head upwards helps the lower jaw to drop down a little, opening the mouth wider.

Ideally, the end of the syringe should be able to touch the cat’s molars. [7] X Expert Source Natalie Punt, DVMVeterinarian Expert Interview. 14 September 2021.

Once you have put medicine in the cat’s mouth, it will move its tongue and try to swallow. Some cats like to lower their head to swallow, so you may need to relax your wrist so that her head can drop down to a more natural position for swallowing. [10] X Research source BSAVA Textbook of Veterinary Nursing. Cooper and Mullineux. BSAVA Publications

Repeat this process until you have administered the full prescribed dose.

Rewarding the cat after giving it medicine will make it less resentful and make the task easier next time.