by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: April 02, 2009   Last Updated: April 07, 2009

There are several reasons that you might have to force feed your cat. The main reason is because your cat is sick. One of the most common afflictions to affect your feline companion is a respiratory infection. Respiratory infections will affect your cat's capacity to smell and because of that the cat will not eat. If they do not eat, they will starve to death. You are suddenly faced with the need to force-feed your cat. Force-feeding a full-grown cat can be a tricky procedure.

Force feeding a cat is akin to giving it a bath. No cat likes to have food, water, or milk shoved into their mouths any more than they want to be dropped into a tub for their flea-bath. While some will calm down and start to eat after that first taste, they tend to feel threatened before the first drop hits their mouth. A cat who feels threatened can be a very dangerous creature. To minimize any damage, you will need to follow certain steps.

First, get the necessities.

You will require a clean but damp wash rag, antibiotic hand soap, band-aids, a container to hold the food, a can of cat food, the equivalent of a can of cat food in water, a syringe, and a large towel. If you were instructed by the vet, they may give you other food or vitamins that you will also need to feed to your cat. Optional, but a good idea, is to get a package of kitten formula to mix with the food. Kitten formula has nutrients that can help your cat fight illness.

Down to business

First, wash your hands. Cats are susceptible to germs just like humans. Remember that if you do not want to eat off of dirty dishes, you cat does not either. So make sure to use clean supplies and wash your hands thoroughly.

It is time to prep the food. If your vet has supplied you with food or vitamins, you may need to mix them into the food. If you bought pre-mixed formula, then you can add it to the food as you make it. If you bought the powder, you will need to mix it according to the instructions on the packaging. Then you will need to add it to the food mix. If you decided not to get formula, you do not have to worry about the extra steps.

Mixing the food only requires a spoon, the can of food, the water, and a container. Dump the food into the container. Use the can to measure out an equal amount of water and add that to the container. If you have the kitten formula, only fill the can half-way with water fill the rest of the can with the milk mixture. Add that to the container and mix thoroughly with the spoon.

With adult cats, you do not

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