Dosing a cat with eye ointment isn't the easiest thing in the world. However, like any medication, it's imperative that your cat is receiving a full dose of its ointment or there may be consequences. Read on to learn the easiest way to give your cat their eye ointment and the surest way to guarantee they're getting a proper dose.

What Not To Do

One of the most common mistakes that pet parents make when giving eye medication is measuring out the ointment, putting it on their hands, and then applying it to their pet.

First of all, if you apply the medication to your finger, some of the medication won't make it onto your cat's eye. You'll inevitably have a portion of the medicine still stuck to your finger, so they're not going to get the full dose.

Secondly, having a fingertip that's as big as or nearly as big as your cat's eye coming at them may make them nervous.

Thirdly, applying too much pressure to an eye is a possible risk if you're using your finger to apply the medication. You could seriously harm your cat's eyesight by pressing too hard on the cornea.

Lastly, if it's a bacterial or viral infection, you're risking having the bacteria spread to your hands, where you can then spread it to the cat's uninfected eye or another cat.

How To Medicate Correctly

To give medication to your cat properly, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly just before giving the dose.

If need be, get some help to hold your cat still to make sure you don't accidentally poke them in the eye. Petting your cat or offering them treats may help to soothe them.

With your non-dominant hand, place a finger firmly above and below the eye, one on each eyelid. Pull your cat's eyelids gently apart to widen the visible eye. Using your dominant hand, squeeze out the ointment from the tube until the necessary dose has emerged. It should still be sticking to the end of the tube.

Gently drop or lay the medication down on top of your cat's eye, making sure not to touch the tube to the surface of the eye at all. Then, close your cat's eyelids over the medication. You can open and close your cat's eye a few times to distribute the medication evenly over the surface of the eye.

With that, your cat's eye is medicated with the proper dose, no medication is lost on your hands, and your kitty doesn't have to squirm from having a giant finger coming straight at their eye. If you still have difficulty with this process, ask your vet at a place like Foothills Animal Hospital to demonstrate it and help you to practice the procedure.