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How to Give a Dog or Cat a Liquid Dewormer (Step-by-Step)

Liquid dewormers are easy to dose accurately — once you know the technique. Here’s how to give one cleanly, with no fuss and no wasted medication.

Oral liquid suspensions make it simple to give an exact dose by weight, which is ideal for lungworm treatment. The trick is technique: a calm pet, a syringe in the right spot, and a slow, steady hand. Follow these steps and most dogs and cats take it without drama.

Step by step

Measure the exact dose

Draw up the precise amount into a dosing syringe. Not sure how much? Use the calculator on this page to convert your pet’s weight into millilitres for a 10% (100 mg/mL) fenbendazole suspension, then confirm with your vet.

Shake well and pick a calm moment

Shake the bottle so the suspension is even. Choose a quiet spot when your pet is relaxed — not straight after a meal if it tends to make them queasy.

Position your pet gently

For a dog, kneel beside or behind them. For a cat, a towel “burrito” can help. Tilt the head slightly upward and hold it steady — firm but kind.

Place the syringe in the cheek pouch

Slip the syringe tip into the side of the mouth, into the pouch between the cheek and the back teeth — not straight down the throat, which risks coughing or inhaling the liquid.

Dispense slowly

Press the plunger a little at a time, pausing to let your pet swallow. Stroking the throat gently can encourage swallowing. Slow and steady beats one big squirt.

Reward and watch

Praise or treat immediately. Keep an eye out for spitting it back out — if a meaningful amount is lost, ask your vet before re-dosing rather than guessing.

Clean up and store correctly

Rinse the syringe, cap the bottle, and store the product as the label directs. Note the dose and time so you stay on schedule for the full course.

Never cross-use livestock products

Some dewormers made for cattle, sheep or horses can be dangerous to dogs and cats. Only give a product licensed for your pet’s species, at the dose your vet confirms.

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