Medicating Cats & Its Challenges
One of the biggest responsibilities we face as pet sitters is ensuring pets receive their prescribed medications correctly and on time. While many pet parents find medicating their feline companions particularly challenging, experienced pet sitters bring a wealth of knowledge and techniques to make the smoother and less stressful. Today, I’m sharing some of my top tips for medicating cats.
The Professional Pet Sitter’s Approach
At Animal Admiration, our team undergoes extensive training to handle various aspects of pet care. Our training includes medication administration. This training equips us with skills to manage different medications types, pills, liquids, topical treatments, injections, and subcutaneous infusions. We learn proper handling techniques, how to read prescription labels accurately, and strategies to gently coax reluctant cats into taking their medicine.
In addition to techniques, we learn to remain calm and set a pleasant tone while administering medication. Cats are sensitive and pick up on our energy, which is why we take our technique and demeanor equally seriously.
The Professional Pet Sitter’s Limitations
As part of our training, we also learn to recognize when a cats is too difficult to medicate using traditional methods. We never want to push a cat into high levels of stress nor do we want to risk injury. Instead, we usually recommend compounded medications for these cats. Compounded medicines are customized formulations created by specialized pharmacies to meet the specific needs of individual pets.
The Benefits of Compounded Medications
Compounded medications can be a game-changer! They offer several benefits for challenging feline patients including the following:
- Alternative forms: Pills can be transformed into flavored liquids, transdermal gels, or even treats, making administration much easier.
- Customized flavoring: Medications can be flavored to appeal to a cat’s palate, increasing the likelihood of voluntary consumption.
- Precise dosing: Compounded medications can be formulated to exact dosages, eliminating the need to split pills.
- Combination medications: Multiple drugs can be combined into a single dose, reducing the number of daily administrations.
The Info Your Pet Sitter Needs
While compounded medications can simplify the process, it’s crucial for pet owners to communicate clearly with their pet sitters about their cat’s medication regimen. No matter what kind of medication you ask that we administer to your cat, key medication details that you should provide include the following:
Medication Details
- Medication name and purpose: Knowing what the medication is for helps the pet sitter understand its usage and effects.
- Exact dosage: Precise information on how much medication to administer is critical for the cat’s health and safety. If it’s a liquid or topical, precise measurements including number of pumps, etc. are ideal.
- Method of administration: Detailed instructions on how to give the medication (e.g., by mouth, applied to the skin, mixed with food) are essential. Please let us know if you use a pill plunger, pill gun, Pill Pockets, or other method of distraction. Some of our clients send us video tutorials, which are always appreciated but not required.
- Timing and frequency: Clear guidelines on when and how often the medication should be given help maintain a consistent schedule.
- Tips and tricks: Any specific techniques that work well for the individual cat can be incredibly helpful for the pet sitter.
Medication Handling & Emergencies
- Storage requirements: Some medications need refrigeration or have other specific storage needs.
- Potential side effects: Information about side effects to watch for.
- Veterinarian contact information: In case of any questions or emergencies, the pet sitter should have direct access to the cat’s veterinarian.
By providing detailed information, pet parents set pet sitters up for success and ensure their cats receive the best possible care. When possible, it’s beneficial for pet owners to demonstrate their medication routine, allowing us to observe and ask questions.
At Animal Admiration Pet Care Services, we are well-equipped to handle most feline medication needs. Clear, detailed communication between you and our team is crucial for ensuring that cats receive their medications correctly and with minimal stress. This collaborative approach helps maintain the cat’s health and well-being when you’re are away!
New clients, please contact us at info@animaladmiration.com or (281) 391-1015 to learn about our in-home pet care services. Our team of outstanding pet care providers offers quality care dog sitting, cat sitting, and dog walking in Katy, Fulshear, Richmond, Energy Corridor, Memorial, West Houston, and Cypress.
Existing clients schedule services here. We look forward to providing exceptional care for your cats!
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