Getting other's cats their meds

This questions is more geared toward those who have taken care of other people's cats, but all responses are welcome.

I'm sitting for a diabetic kitty right now who gets twice-daily insulin shots. The owner said multiple times if he didn't get his night dose, it wouldn't hurt him. It's not ideal, but it's a tolerable thing.

My question is - has the cat been really hidey, and what have you done to get the cat out? This one in particular is in the bedroom, and gets behind too many things. Runs from one end of the room to the other then back again, behind all these things. I feel horrible having missed the two night doses, even though the owner reiterated it wouldn't hurt him. I guess she knows her cat better than me.

Thanks in advance! I have no problem with the injection part itself btw, this is all about getting the kitty. And no, he won't come out on his own. I'm on a time limit and was there over an hour last night - nada.



PS - I know it should be "others'" and I can't fix it now. Sorry, I'm a snob when it comes to that, even on my own writing, lol.

Have you tried bribing him out with treats or a wand type toy?

stephanietx said:

Have you tried bribing him out with treats or a wand type toy?

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Yep! I just get that, "You're kidding, right?" look. I wish I could find my laser pointer, I'd try that. Although I have doubts as to whether that would work or not.

I sit for my neighbor's cats (she has three) a couple times a year, for a week each time.  One of her cats was very scared at first.  She would hide behind a bunch of stuff in the back of a closet.  It took me forever to find her, and then I'd talk and talk, and sit outside the closet, coaxing and coaxing.  I finally brought a shoelace, and I wiggled it back in the closet near her, and got her playing good from her safe space, and then gradually brought it farther and farther out of the closet until she got used to me and was comfortible.  Treats, too, did help.

I'd try to find him in a place where he's not running around, and have him get used to you from his safe place, and then coax him out.

hearingMomo said:

I sit for my neighbor's cats (she has three) a couple times a year, for a week each time.  One of her cats was very scared at first.  She would hide behind a bunch of stuff in the back of a closet.  It took me forever to find her, and then I'd talk and talk, and sit outside the closet, coaxing and coaxing.  I finally brought a shoelace, and I wiggled it back in the closet near her, and got her playing good from her safe space, and then gradually brought it farther and farther out of the closet until she got used to me and was comfortible.  Treats, too, did help.

I'd try to find him in a place where he's not running around, and have him get used to you from his safe place, and then coax him out.

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The only problem with getting him used to me is, I'm only there for a half hour at a time. So, the luxury of time isn't really available in my case. And the one kitty needs to get his injections (at minimum, in the morning). Otherwise, I'd just let him hide.

I am going to see if I can do something shoestring like to coax him out. I have a feeling he won't go for it, but won't know for sure till I try.