Your cat is not just a pet, he's a member of the family. He's a lap warmer on chilly nights, an alarm clock that never needs setting, the resident destroyer of creepy-crawlies. He's subject to colds, broken bones, fevers and bruises just like you, and, like you, there is going to come a time when he'll need medical attention. However, unlike you, he cannot administer it, nor does he understand that something foul-tasting or uncomfortable is good for him. These are the instances that really test the patience of cat owners. Their once-cuddly friends become writhing flurries of teeth and claws that are nearly impossible to keep contained. So, when there comes a time that you have to administer antibiotics to dear Fluffy, how can you restrain him without harming him - or yourself - in the process?

In this essay, I will cover two of the most effective ways of restraining your cat, beginning with the one I prefer. It requires two people to be successful, so you'll need either someone willing to hold the cat, or someone to administer the medication. Make sure the person you choose isn't likely to panic if the cat struggles; Fluffy will likely reject the whole process and do his best to tear you to ribbons. Also keep in mind that a cat's normal reaction to discomfort is usually to growl or whine pitifully. Your first thought in this case should not be to let Fluffy go, but rather give him a moment to calm. Keep your hold on him and wait until he settles before going further. This will prevent over-taxing the animal, or making him resort to violence.

The first step is to lift your cat and put his back against your chest. With one hand, you will need to grasp Fluffy's back legs. Your first finger and thumb will encircle one of his legs, while your remaining fingers will take hold of both the tail and the other foot. Close your hand so that it gently but firmly grips the cat's legs. Now you'll do the same with Fluffy's front legs, minus the grip on the tail. Grip closely enough to the body that it is unlikely Fluffy will be able to pull himself out of your hands while he struggles. One leg free means he has five little claws that can do a hefty amount of damage to an arm or face.

Once you have the cat's legs secure, bring them closer to his body and hold them there. With the hand that holds Fluffy's front legs tucked under his chin, your kitty will have a hard time sinking his teeth into your wrist. Make sure you also keep him away from your face. A wriggling cat will latch onto any available surface in an attempt to free himself. If Fluffy DOES struggle, all you need do is keep your grasp firm. He will stop his wriggling once he figures out that he's not getting anywhere. Now your partner ought to be able to come in and use both of his free hands to administer medication, trim claws, clean teeth or any number of other basic treatments without fear of being harmed.

The second method is reserved for people who aren't lucky enough to have three hands, or another person around to help. It enables you to keep your cat under control and still have one hand free for use, and if your vet showed you how he administered the medication (it has been my experience that a vet usually does this alone, on the exam table right in front of you, and in less than fifteen seconds), you can attempt to apply that knowledge here.

To begin, you'll want to take a hold of your pet by the scruff of his neck. If he is too large for this (as in, his chubby belly takes up what excess skin would normally ‘collect' at the back of his neck), you may also hold onto his collar. Make sure, if you do grab the collar, that you hold onto the section designed to break away if the cat gets caught. If you do not, the collar will pull apart when Fluffy tries to escape, and then you'll be hard pressed to get the collar back onto him or even CATCH him for a good, long while.

Once the cat is securely grasped in your left hand (or right, if your dominant hand is your left), place one foot on either side of the cat, and slowly lower yourself to your knees. Place your heels closely together behind you, and lower the bulk of your body until you're almost sitting on the cat, but not quite. He will instinctively crouch near the floor as you do this, which is completely normal. As long as you aren't putting your weight on him, he won't be harmed. Now, bring your knees in closer to the cat's body so that he's boxed in on three sides by your legs and heels. I highly recommend using this technique on a slick surface, such as linoleum or hardwood, so that the cat cannot get a purchase on the floor and drag himself out of your grasp. With your free hand, you should then be able to administer medication to your cat.

I recommend learning both of these techniques, so that you'll be able to care for your cat in nearly any situation. Remember to praise Fluffy thoroughly once you've finished your task. He will eventually learn that ‘medicine time' always means a nice reward afterwards, and may just behave meanwhile. In this way, you ensure that medicating will NEVER be a terrifying experience for your cat. After all, when it comes to family members, we always want to make sure that we do our best to keep them safe and healthy.