How to Give a Cat a Pill - It's Easier than you Think

Member

By twincapes
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating: (8 Ratings)

Hi, I'm Scrunchie, I'll show you how this is done.

Giving a cat a pill can be a challenging task for both you and the cat, unless you know how to do it. These steps make giving medications much easier on all concerned.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Pill shooter

Step 1

The key here is to be calm throughout the process. The cat will pick up your anxiety and nervousness and will resist, so relax. Now that you are calm, make sure your cat is also. Don't try to give a cat a pill when he is agitated or excited. Try to do it when he is resting or just woke up.
Step 2

Pill shooter

Be familiar with the pill shooter. It is used to give pets medications. You will normally get it from your vet when they prescribe the pills. If not, ask for it, or ask for one at your local animal hospital. The pill shooter has a soft rubber end that holds the pill and that won't hurt your cat's mouth. You push the end like a syringe, and it pops the pill out. I recommend you put some butter on the pill to help it go down. Let him see and smell the pill and shooter so he is familiar with it.
Step 3

Calmly talk to your cat and explain why he needs a pill, and what you are going to do, and that it will be quick and will not hurt. Stroke him and reassure him while doing this. Have the cat on a grippable surface like a carpet, as shown in the next picture, since he will initially want to dig in to get away from you until he gets used to the process. A slick surface makes it more difficult.
Step 4

Block the rear escape route.

A key is to position yourself behind the cat as shown in the picture. If he tries to get away, it will be backwards, so you need to be in a blocking position. (You might want to have shoes on the first time you try this, until you know how your cat will react).
Step 5

Middle finger and thumb in the hinge of the cat's jaws

Keep reassuring your cat. When you are ready to administer the pill, do it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Reach over his head and put your middle finger and thumb behind his teeth at the hinge of his jaws and tilt his head back. His mouth will open. Don't put a death grip on his head or yank his neck. Again, keep your energy relaxed. Be careful of his eyes too. If he really resists, let him go and start over again or wait until a better time. It takes a little practice.

OK, as soon as you tilt his head back, have the shooter ready in your other hand as shown, and stick it gently to the back of his throat and pop the pill out. Don't be afraid to put it far back, the soft end will protect him. But don't jam it against his mouth either. If his head is tilted back, gravity will get the pill back where it needs to go.
Step 6

Stroke the neck and thank him

Pull the pill shooter out and hold his mouth closed for a few seconds. Stroke his throat with a downward motion to encourage him to swallow the pill. Reassure him and thank him for being so cooperative, and that this medicine will make him feel better.
Step 7

Give him a treat or a drink. Rinse the pill shooter and you're done. Thanks to my Tabby cat Scrunchie for being such a great demonstrater! I recommend reading The Language of Miracles or The Language of Animals (below) to develop a more holistic connection with your pets!