Topical treatments that prevent heartworms, fleas, ticks, mites, and intestinal parasites are a convenient and effective way to keep your cat pest-free, but applying these treatments can be challenging if your cat squirms, panics, or tries to flee.
Using the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap can make the process much smoother by keeping your cat safely swaddled, calm, and still while you apply the medication.
Why Apply Parasite Prevention?
Applying parasite prevention is an essential part of protecting your cat’s long-term health.
Fleas, ticks, mites, and worms can transmit diseases to your cats, other pets, or household members. Topical parasite preventatives offer broad-spectrum protection and are often applied monthly to prevent infestation before it starts.
These medications work by spreading across the animal’s skin and coat, where they are absorbed into the fatty layer and target the exoskeleton of parasites, disrupting their nervous system and ultimately killing them on contact or shortly after exposure.
Topical treatments are typically applied directly to your cat’s skin between the shoulder blades. This area is ideal because it is difficult—if not impossible—for a cat to lick, ensuring the medication stays where it’s supposed to.
Although veterinarian-approved topicals are safe and do not hurt your cat, they can feel cold or strange when applied. The sensation is unfamiliar, which explains why many cats have an aversion to it.
Keeping your cat securely positioned to apply the topicals ensures that the medication will be applied to the correct place for optimal results.
Why Use the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap for Topical Treatments?
Applying parasite prevention to a wiggly or anxious cat can be challenging. It’s important that the full dose goes on cleanly and stays in place, however, that’s hard to do if your cat is running off mid-application.
The Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap is a vet-designed swaddle that keeps your cat safe, secure, and calm during stressful moments like this. Unlike traditional cat bags, which increase anxiety, the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap provides a snug, comforting hold that reduces anxiety while inducing a sense of calmness.
Using the wrap for topical applications keeps your cat still long enough for you to apply the treatment properly, while protecting you from scratches or escape attempts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying Topical Preventative with the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap
Please read through all steps before starting the application.
1. Prepare the Treatment & Environment
Before wrapping your cat, have your topical treatment ready to go. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and keep the applicator open and nearby. Choose a quiet, calm space free of distractions. Have treats ready and nearby so you can reward your cat throughout the process.
2. Secure Your Cat in the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap
Follow the instructions to get your cat inside the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap. Ensure they are tightly swaddled to prevent sudden movements or agitation – a loose swaddle will not work.
3. Locate the Application Site
Using the wrap’s double zipper on the back, expose the space between your cat’s shoulder blades. This may require moving the “wings” of the swaddle further down the back of your cat’s body. Using one hand, gently part the fur between the shoulder blades to expose the underlying skin.
4. Apply the Treatment
Place the tip of the applicator directly against the skin and slowly squeeze out the contents in a single spot or along a 1–2” line between the shoulder blades. Try to avoid dragging the solution into areas the cat can reach.
5. Immediate Reward
Reward your cat with a treat immediately after applying treatment to serve as both a distraction and positive reinforcement.
Do not zip up the exposed area after application. You want to ensure that the medication remains on the cat instead of rubbing on the wrap.
6. Remove Wrap & Reward
Once the application is complete, gently remove them from the wrap and give plenty of praise. End the session with something rewarding, whether that’s cuddles, a snack, or playtime. This helps create a positive association for future applications.
Tips for Success
Stay Calm & Confident: Your cat takes cues from you. If you’re calm and prepared, they’re more likely to stay relaxed too.
Practice Makes Perfect: Use the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap outside of medication days to help your cat get used to it. This makes the process less stressful when it really counts.
Watch for Grooming Attempts: Try to keep your cat engaged and distracted for 5–10 minutes after application to give the product time to dry.
Don’t Panic If It Gets on the Fur: Some spreading is normal. These products are designed to absorb into the fat layer beneath the skin and distribute across the body.
Benefit to Cats & Humans
Using the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap for topical parasite treatments allows you to safely and effectively apply parasite preventatives without your cat fleeing or moving in a way that compromises the quality of application.
It protects both you and your cat from accidental injury and ensures that the full dose of medication is applied properly. No more wrestling matches or botched applications – just a calm, efficient routine that keeps your cat protected and healthy.
Cats benefit from a less stressful experience, and humans benefit from a process that’s quicker, safer, and more predictable.
