How to Pill a Cat Easily

Learning how to pill a cat does not have to be a bad experience for you or your cat. By taking some time and following the steps below, you can easily give medication without causing stress to your cat.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• towel
• cat's medication

1. In order to pill a cat easily, gather your supplies ahead of time. Have the medication and towel on hand before you get your cat.

2. Most cats know they are about to get medication, and will put up a fight. Often, they will seek out a corner or spot under the bed to hide. Do not chase them or drag them out because this increases their stress level. Also they will perceive getting pilled as a bad experience. Instead, lure them out with treats and talking to them quietly.

3. Once you have lured them out of hiding, take the towel and wrap or swaddle them securely. Make sure to secure them so they are comfortable but tight enough to keep them from getting their feet out from under the towel. The towel not only creates a feeling of security for them, but keeps you from getting clawed in the process.

4. Sit behind your cat after they have been securely wrapped in the towel. When you try and pill a cat the first instinct they will have is to back up to escape. If they are able escape the towel and are able to back up they will end up running into you instead of being able to get away.

5. Tip your cats head back with one hand. They may resist this at first, but be patient. Eventually they will relax their neck muscles and will tip their head back willingly.

6. Take the pill in the other hand, and use your pointer finger to gently pull the lower jaw open.

7. The most important step to pilling a cat easily is to drop the pill down the back of the throat and avoid the tongue if possible. Once the pill is in their mouth, release your finger and close their mouth.

8. Gently hold their mouth shut and stroke their throat. By doing this you are triggering a cats swallowing mechanism. Once they have swallowed you can release them from the towel they are wrapped in.

9. Give them a treat afterwards to make a positive association with the experience. Once you make a positive association, they are less likely to fight with you the next time you try and pill your cat.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep an eye on your cat even if they have acted like they swallowed the pill. Some cats are able to fake swallowing their medication or are able to spit it out later.
• Invest in a "piller" for your cat if you are afraid they will bite you in the process. This tends to make pilling your cat easier, and will keep your fingers from being bitten.
• If your cat is difficult to pill ask your vet to substitute medication. They may be able to give you the same medication in liquid form to be administered via an eyedropper.