Helpful Tips for Cats

Instructions

• Getting your cat used to brushing takes patience, but once they’re comfortable, it greatly benefits their dental health.
• Daily brushing is ideal, but even brushing two to three times a week helps maintain healthy teeth and gums.
• Choose a calm, quiet place and time for brushing to help your cat feel relaxed.
• It’s easiest to start when your cat is a kitten, but older cats can also learn with gentle consistency.
• Hold your cat securely in your lap before beginning.
• Start by rubbing your finger or a soft cloth along your cat’s teeth and gums in a gentle back-and-forth motion. Stay on the outside surfaces to avoid accidental bites.
• Once your cat is comfortable, let them taste a small amount of pet-safe toothpaste from your finger. Most cat toothpastes have flavors cats enjoy.
• Do not use human toothpaste, as it can upset your cat’s stomach.
• When your cat accepts the taste, apply a small amount of toothpaste to a toothbrush.
• Place your free hand over your cat’s head, with your thumb and index finger on opposite sides of the upper jaw.
• Gently lift your cat’s lip on one side and begin brushing one or two cheek teeth in a straight back-and-forth motion along the gum line.
• A small human interdental brush works well for most cats.
• To reach the lower teeth, slightly open your cat’s mouth by tilting their head back while maintaining a gentle hold.
• Gradually work up to brushing all the teeth over several days, making sure to reach the large molars at the back.
• Focus mainly on the outer surfaces, the tongue naturally helps clean the inner sides.
• Aim to brush for about 30 seconds per side.
• After brushing, wash your hands and the toothbrush thoroughly since a cat’s mouth contains bacteria.

Instructions

Make sure to wash your hands both before and after giving the medication to prevent the spread of infection. If you’re administering the medication alone, it may be easiest to place your cat securely in your lap. For cats with a painful eye, you might need someone to help by gently wrapping your cat in a blanket, leaving only the head exposed.

• Carefully read the medication label to ensure you understand the dosing directions.
• Hold the bottle between your thumb and index finger.
• With the same hand, use your last two fingers to gently pull back the upper eyelid while supporting your cat’s head by placing your remaining fingers under the jaw. The lower eyelid will form a small pouch to catch the drops.
• Keep the bottle close to the eye but avoid letting it touch the eye’s surface.
• Squeeze out the prescribed number of drops onto the eyeball, aiming toward the center, then release your cat’s head.
• Your cat will blink naturally, helping spread the medication evenly across the surface of the eye.

Instructions

The simplest way to give your cat liquid medication is by mixing it with a small portion of canned food. To ensure your cat receives the full dose, offer only a small amount of food you know they’ll finish rather than a large serving they might leave behind. Some cats may refuse the food or have dietary restrictions that prevent this method. In such cases, you’ll need to administer the medication directly into your cat’s mouth.

• Prepare a calm and secure area where you can safely handle your cat. Keep the medication nearby and ready for use.
• If administering the medicine alone, place your cat comfortably in your lap. You may also have someone assist by gently wrapping your cat in a blanket, leaving only the head exposed.
• Carefully read the medication label and confirm the correct dosage.
• Hold the syringe in your dominant hand and draw up the prescribed amount of liquid.
• Begin by offering the medication for your cat to lick from the syringe tip while slowly pressing the plunger. Warming the medication to room temperature may make it more palatable.
• If your cat refuses, gently grasp the scruff of the neck and lift slightly so the front paws are off your lap, this will help open the mouth.
• Insert the syringe tip into the side of the mouth, just behind a canine tooth, and advance it slightly past the tooth line.
• Slowly depress the plunger to release the medication, giving your cat time to swallow and breathe.
• Most cats will spit out a small amount of liquid. DO NOT re-administer unless you are certain none of the medication was swallowed.

Rinse the syringe thoroughly with water after use, and store the medication in the refrigerator if required.

Instructions

The simplest way to give your cat liquid medication is by mixing it with a small portion of canned food. To ensure your cat receives the full dose, offer only a small amount of food you know they’ll finish rather than a large serving they might leave behind. Some cats may refuse the food or have dietary restrictions that prevent this method. In such cases, you’ll need to administer the medication directly into your cat’s mouth.

• Prepare a calm and secure area where you can safely handle your cat. Keep the medication nearby and ready for use.
• If administering the medicine alone, place your cat comfortably in your lap. You may also have someone assist by gently wrapping your cat in a blanket, leaving only the head exposed.
• Carefully read the medication label and confirm the correct dosage.
• Hold the syringe in your dominant hand and draw up the prescribed amount of liquid.
• Begin by offering the medication for your cat to lick from the syringe tip while slowly pressing the plunger. Warming the medication to room temperature may make it more palatable.
• If your cat refuses, gently grasp the scruff of the neck and lift slightly so the front paws are off your lap, this will help open the mouth.
• Insert the syringe tip into the side of the mouth, just behind a canine tooth, and advance it slightly past the tooth line.
• Slowly depress the plunger to release the medication, giving your cat time to swallow and breathe.
• Most cats will spit out a small amount of liquid. DO NOT re-administer unless you are certain none of the medication was swallowed.

Rinse the syringe thoroughly with water after use, and store the medication in the refrigerator if required.

Instructions

The easiest way to give your cat a pill is to hide it in food. This usually works well when the pill is concealed in a small amount of tuna, cream cheese, or another soft treat your cat enjoys. To make sure the pill is fully taken, offer only a small portion of food that you know your cat will finish, instead of a large serving they might leave behind. Some cats may spit out the pill, so keep an eye on them. If your cat consistently spits out the pill or has dietary restrictions preventing this method, you’ll need to give the pill directly by mouth.

• Prepare a calm and secure space to handle your cat. Keep the pill nearby and ready for use.
• If you’re giving the medication alone, place your cat in your lap. You may also have someone assist by gently wrapping your cat in a towel or blanket, leaving only the head exposed.
• Carefully read the medication label and ensure you understand the dosage instructions.
• Lightly coat the pill with a small amount of butter or margarine to help it slide down easily.
• Hold the pill between your thumb and index finger.
• With your other hand, gently hold your cat’s head from above, placing your thumb on one side and fingers on the other. Tilt the head back until the nose points upward, this will cause the jaw to open slightly.
• Using the little and ring fingers of your pill-holding hand, gently press on the lower front teeth to open the mouth wider.
• Quickly place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible to encourage swallowing.
• Close your cat’s mouth and hold it gently shut while returning the head to a normal position.
• Rub your cat’s throat or nose softly, or blow gently on the nose to prompt swallowing.

If this method is difficult, try placing your cat on a table. Gently grasp the scruff of the neck and lift the front paws slightly off the surface, the mouth will open. Quickly place the pill at the back of the tongue as before.