Some medications that are prescribed to your cat may come as a liquid. I have found that giving liquid medication is much easier than pills.
Why is my cat’s prescription a liquid?
There are a number of reasons that your cat’s prescription is in liquid form.
- Some medications cannot be made into a pill form, and therefore must be given as a liquid.
- For kittens, medications need to be carefully formulated for their age and weight. The liquid medicine is compounded (mixed) specifically for your kitten (or cat’s) needs, as determined by your veterinarian.
- If your cat refuses to swallow pills, your veterinarian may be able to arrange for liquid medication for your cat.
- You should ask your veterinarian any questions that you have about your cat’s medication.
You administer liquid medication to your cat using an oral syringe with measurements, such as the 21st Century Oral Syringe pictured below. You will likely receive a measured oral syringe when you pick up your cat’s liquid medication. The medication will have specific instructions on the amount of medication to give your cat. Follow the instructions carefully!
Other Tips and Info
- Some liquid medications need to be refrigerated – carefully read the information that comes with the medication to see if this applies.
- Some liquid medications are flavored. We had a roasted chicken flavor medicine for our kittens. It smelled awful to us, but maybe the kittens liked it!
- Wash out the oral syringe after each use.
There is a great instructional video made by the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, which shows you how to give your cat liquid medication.
I find giving my cats liquid medication to be a way easier process than pills. My cats struggle less and it’s much easier to make sure your cat has swallowed the medication.
Jennifer Kean is a writer and pet-lover who owns two rescue kittens (lifetime cat owner too!) and has a 40 gallon fish tank!
