How to Give a Cat a Pill
Getting a cat to swallow a pill is no easy task. Follow these steps to keep your cat healthy by administering the medicine your pet needs.
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Instructions
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Gather your pill and a treat and place them somewhere you can easily reach. Make sure the pill is already removed from its case.
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Grab your cat, which is not always easy! Use whatever tricks may work for you to get a good hold of him, but it is usually easiest if you can pet him nonchalantly and grab him from that position.
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Hold the cat firmly against your body and under the arm of your non-dominant hand so that your dominant hand is available.
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Grasp the pill with your free hand and lift the cat's nose to the ceiling by holding her cheeks. Her mouth will open slightly.
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Open his lower jaw gently wider and place the pill as far in the back of his mouth as is possible.
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Allow the mouth to close, quickly grab a treat and offer to the cat. Keep hold of the cat with your hand under her chin to prevent the pill from being spit out. The treat should help prevent the cat from spitting out the pill.
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Watch for the cat to lick his lips which is an indication of swallowing. Open the cat's mouth to verify that the pill has been swallowed.
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Release the cat and offer another treat. Praise the cat as well.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are afraid of being clawed when the cat tries to wiggle free, place a towl or blanket over you and wear long sleeves to prevent this from happening.
Coating the pill in a little butter provides lubrication and will make it easier to swallow.
When following the pill with a treat, use something the cat loves but does not get very often. Tuna is an excellent option.
Speak in a soothing voice to the cat during the process.
If the cat has a hard time swallowing the pill, try offering more treats or gently blow on her nose to promote swallowing.
Do not try to approach the cat from the front. The cat will be able to escape more easily if you do.
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Comments
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grove
Feb 01, 2009
This is a great method. Cats are so wily. I find that once I've got hold of them, speaking softly and showing them the pill before I pop it in their mouth seems to help, too. -
Gwuen
Dec 06, 2008
Pill poppers work great as well, and the pet stores and vet offices sell them for about $2.50. All of the above works well on my other cats, but the pill popper works best on one hard headed boy I have who literally foams at the mouth after wards and during. We laugh about it because he looks like he had rabies or something when he does it, but it is not funny because the pill usually gets ruined. Therefore, pill popper all the way!
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box912
Aug 15, 2008
Here's the easy, painless way of administering a pill to a cat: position the cat (standing, facing forward) between your feet. Reach down and scratch the cat under his chin; his head will automatically come up into the perfect position. Using your thumb and forefinger - which should already be holding the pill -pop it into your cat's mouth from either side, making sure to get the pill on top of the cat's tongue. Now gently scratch under the cat's chin again. Pill has been swallowed without any bloodshed. Try to remember: you're smarter than the cat.
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Shamana
Aug 04, 2008
A firm hold on Ginger will help too. Also, enlist help if necessary.
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bjcruising
Aug 04, 2008
Will try the towel the very next time should help me avoid those hind leg scratches. Also be easier on Ginger too!
