How to make injection easier on me and my cat

[catfool]

Hi! I was wondering if you guys had any tips to make injection go a bit smoother. It goes quick and is ok as long as he has someone else petting him, and he isnt in pain. just doesn't like staying still. But I am having to do his injections solo lately, so having someone else pet him isnt an option and hes always worming away, and i feel bad having to pin him. Any way to keep him in one spot of his own will? I've considered treats or something but wanted to know if yall had any tricks

 

[Larry and Kitties]

Many caretakers here inject when the cat is finishing eating/still has head in bowl.

 

[Bron and Sheba (GA)]

I would give it to him while he is eating also. That’s what I always did.

 

[Elaine Lai]

My Oreo doesn't mind getting a shot or two (or even three?) when he's eating.

 

[Virginie & Chewie (GA)]

After my cat is done with her meal I smear some tuna puree (churu) in her bowl, and do the injection while she is licking it.
It's such a high value treat to her that she doesn't even twitch (doing it while she was eating regular food was hit-or-miss for us, didn't always work).

 

[Noah & me (GA)]

I found that confidence and trust meant everything. The cat's not stupid, he knows this is going to hurt but he also knows this is for the best and he trusts that you'll make this as painless as possible. My first sugar cat was ridiculously easy so I'll skip ahead to Noah, the most nervous cat I've ever known and what worked for me.
I cleared the dog and as many as eight other cats from the room who always wanted to watch the big show. I laid out everything I'd need so there wouldn't be any surprises and he wouldn't have a chance to run into the basement if I had to go looking for something. He was always in his basket so it was easy to have him lay on his side and I injected near his back shoulder. Scruff shots never worked for me.
I always sang or hummed "Hush, Little Baby". That was something meant just for him and whether he knew that or not didn't matter, it worked.
Noah wasn't big on treats but loved getting a warm and wet paper towel ear rub after his test. Everyone goes home thinking the injection will be the hard part, then they try and get blood from a cat's ear. Once that was over he knew the hard part was done so the ear rub was his reward.

 

[Jackie and Biggie]

I recently went through some difficulty giving my cat his insulin injections. It seemed to be fine for a few weeks and then he was flinching and running off mid-shot.

These are the things I did which collectively seemed to help (thanks to great suggestions from a lot of members!):

1. Make sure to give it in different locations, rotating sides. I was giving it more towards his shoulders on his sides because that was easiest and I was rotating sides, but I needed to use the mid-flank more because he started developing scar tissue and I could feel that his skin was tough when I was putting the needle in. This can be really painful for them, and also they say the insulin isn’t as well absorbed when injected into scar tissue.

2. Make sure to warm the insulin in the syringe by putting your fingers around the barrel and rubbing. Cold Lantus stings- I am not sure about the other insulin types.

3. I started to sing to him, also, and this calms him down and also calms me down so I’m not too nervous about giving it, which they can sense.

4. I also give while he is eating.

5. I use a headlamp so I can see what I’m doing. Biggie has short hair, but I couldn’t see anything. The headlamp helps tremendously so I don’t feel like I’m shooting blind. The headlamp also helps a lot for the ear tests.

6. I use 31 gauge 5/16” needle, and I think the short needle is less of a poke and more comfortable. The large gauge/skinny needle also helps.

Good luck!