Care is the purest form of love and when it comes to pets, it’s the best thing you can do for them. A sick cat should be greatly taken care of. If it’s allowed to roam freely and let go outdoors, it may never return. So it’s advisable to keep your cat indoors while it’s sick.
Also, never give your medications to your cat, it can be harmful. Instead, consult a vet.
Things to do if your cat has:
Diarrhoea – Dehydration is very common in both young and elderly cats. Tummy upsets can be quite dangerous. Consult a vet if the cat has been vomiting for more than 24 hours. If the vomiting is not severe try not to feed it, although allow water. Then give it skinned chicken in small quantities 12 hours after vomiting is over. Consult your vet if diarrhoea persists for more than two days or if your pet seems dull or weak and does not want to eat.
Cat Flu – It is spread by a virus and shows symptoms similar to a terrible cold. Cat Flu can also cause ulcers in the mouth making it difficult for the cat to eat. Look if there is a lot of discharge from the eyes or nose and contact a vet if it is severe.
Avoid direct contact with skin as it can cause irritation.
Skincare – Bathe sore or itchy patches in cool salt water (a teaspoon of salt in a pint of water) or apply an ice pack. Prevent licking by using an Elizabethan collar – continual licking does not heal but does increase soreness. Put socks on the hind leg/paws and secure with tape to prevent scratching. Consider flea treatment – the most effective treatments are available from your vet. Bite-wounds from fighting may turn septic and discharge unpleasant smelling pus. They are not usually life-threatening but do need antibiotic treatment.
How to administer tablets for the sick cat:
Position your left hand on top of the cat’s head with your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side of the cat’s cheeks.
Tilt the head of the sick cat back so that the nose points upwards. The mouth should then open. Hold the tablet between the thumb and index finger of your other hand. Use the other fingers of this hand to press on the front of the lower jaw between the canine teeth to open the mouth further.
Pop the pill onto the tongue as far back as you can get it. Close the mouth and hold it closed until you have seen the cat swallow. Stroke the throat or rub the nose to try to stimulate swallowing.
You can then either give a small quantity of water to wash the tablet down – ask your vet for a small syringe, and give it slowly so your pet doesn’t choke or offer a tasty morsel – which will also help take away the memory of the experience. It may help to coat the tablet with butter or margarine to make swallowing easier.
You can also buy pill poppers or guns (long thin tubes with a plunger), which you insert into the mouth, pushing the plunger to administer the pill.
Make sure you shower your sick cat with love. This will help it to recover sooner and faster.
If the problem still persists, please do not wait further and consult a vet!