No Scruff Zone by Jen Pelham, Ten Lives Head Vet Nurse
At Ten Lives we greatly appreciate foster carers and your care of our cats, especially so when medicating them is required. Without your help, we cannot treat them, get them healthy and ultimately adopted. But we understand that medicating our cats isn’t always easy.
One of the best ways to make medicating easier is to practice low stress techniques. Cats are easier to medicate with a ‘less is more’ approach and positive reinforcement.
You can make administering medications easier for you and less stressful for the cat(s) by:
• Talking softly to your cat
• Using calm and slow movements
• Medicating at a regular time in the same place
• Medicating them in a spot away from their food or hiding spots (these are their safe places).
• Offering a reward after medicating them.
If they associate the medication with some positives experiences that balances the negatives. Choose a reward that is of high value to your cat. For some cats this is food, others prefer stroking and petting and for kittens play is often valued highest. If your cat values food as the highest reward, remember to keep treats to small amounts to avoid upsetting their stomach e.g causing diarrhoea or vomiting. Cooked chicken breast, no bones or skin, is often a safe treat to use. Please feel free to ask the vet team about an appropriate food reward that is suitable for their condition, age and dietary requirements. Never use cheese or dairy milk as some cats are lactose intolerant, or uncooked meat as a treat.
If you need more than a reward to medicate your cat, we recommend you try wrapping your cat gently in a towel, as a form of gentle restraint. A towel wrap or kitty burrito is a great way to help administer