Most owners can give their cat a shot at home. In fact, in many cases this is necessary because daily injections are required for some diseases like diabetes. Once you get used to giving your cat shots, it’ll be like clockwork.
How to Give Your Cat a Shot
The subcutaneous tissue (sub = under, cutaneous = skin), which is much looser in cats than in humans, is where the injections are administered.
- Start by pinching some of the loose skin between your thumb and fingertip along the back of your cat.
- Hold the syringe firmly in your dominant hand in whichever way feels most comfortable. Be sure not to place your hand or finger over the plunger of the syringe in case your cat suddenly moves and pushes your hand, resulting in the contents being wasted or accidentally injected.
- Insert the needle swiftly into the fold of skin, with the needle angled downwards at a thirty- to forty-five-degree angle. Most syringes are small enough to allow the plunger to be depressed with the palm of the same hand once the needle has been positioned underneath the skin.
- Administer the contents of the syringe quickly and withdraw the needle.
- Gently massage the area.
It will be simpler to complete the process if you have assistance. But with a little effort, the majority of cat owners discover they can easily give their cat routine injections by themselves.
Why Should I Give My Cat a Shot?
The use of medications that are only available in injectable form can be used to treat a number of different medical issues. These are two of the conditions:
- daily insulin shots are required to manage diabetes mellitus.
- specific allergies, which are managed by administering allergenic extracts on a regular basis
Can I Give My Cat a Shot?
Cat owners are frequently ready and able to give their pets these medications at home. Your veterinarian will go over the precise administration method if you choose to provide this medicine to your cat and ensure that you are comfortable with it. The information below may be useful to you as you decide.
Will the Shot hurt my cat?
Routine shots don’t seem to bother the majority of cats. To reduce pain, disposable, single-use needles guarantee a razor-sharp needle tip. For your pet’s requirements, your veterinarian will prescribe the proper needles and syringes.
What happens if my cat moves when I give the shot?
When administering the injection, it is ideal to have assistance, especially when you are just learning how to do it. Try distracting your cat with a special meal or treat while you deliver the injection, depending on the type of injection. Some pet owners find it simpler to administer an injection to their cat while she is eating. Or giving treats to distract your cat while giving them a shot is a good idea. Once a schedule is established, most pet owners discover that their animal friend becomes more obedient.
It is possible to reduce the possibility that your pet will move by injecting fast. Once a schedule is established, most pet owners discover that their animal friend becomes more obedient. A diabetic cat will frequently receive insulin injections following a meal. Cats with diabetes or allergies might not be allowed to get treats or could require prescription treats. To find out if you can give rewards or food while giving the shot, talk to your veterinarian.
The majority of owners worry that they might accidentally break the needle off in the skin, yet this is incredibly unlikely to happen. When dealing with a wiggling pet, the needle may bend, but it is much more probable that the injection will end up outside the animal rather than inside. Contact your pet’s veterinary clinic for guidance if you’re not sure your pet received the entire dose of the injection. In general, if you are unsure of how much you injected, do not give more unless your veterinarian instructs you to.
How should I dispose of the needles and syringes?
Do not dispose of the needle and syringe in the trash until you have confirmed that doing so is acceptable. You should be aware that certain municipalities have strict regulations regarding the disposal of medical waste material. Take the used needles and syringes to your neighborhood pharmacy or veterinary clinic for proper disposal.
