How to Give a Sick Cat Who's Not Eating a Pill
For cat guardians who are used to giving their feline medication by hiding it in some tasty tuna, it can be a daunting task to medicate an ailing cat that is not eating. If your cat is sick, she is not going to be enticed into taking her pill by hiding it in a treat. Knowing how to give your cat a pill without a food treat will be important in treating your cat's condition and helping her heal from the illness.
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Instructions
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Rub a bit of margarine or butter on the pill. This makes the pill taste better to the cat and will help the cat to more easily swallow the medication.
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Place the cat on a flat surface, such as a table.
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Put the cat into the crook of your right arm so that if he backs up, he is going to back toward your body and be unable to escape.
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Take the pill in your left hand.
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Place your hand around the cat's face and lift her nose upward. This causes the mouth to open slightly. Open the cat's mouth fully, using your right hand.
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Open the cat's jaw wider using a finger on your left hand while still holding your right hand around the cat's face.
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Place the pill as far back into the cat's mouth as you can reach.
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Hold the cat's mouth closed, using your right hand.
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Rub the cat's throat gently for a few seconds to promote swallowing.
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Remove your hand from the cat's face, but do not let the cat run away. You need to be sure the cat swallows the pill and doesn't simply spit it out as soon as he's out of your grasp.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are left-handed, reverse the directions above. The process is the same.
Watch the cat for signs that the pill has been swallowed. A good clue is if the cat is licking his lips.
If your cat isn't cooperating, you might enlist a friend to hold the cat while you administer the pill. It may also be helpful to wrap the cat in a thick bath towel to avoid being clawed while administering the medication.
There are some cats that simply refuse to take a pill and even the most experienced "cat handler" can't get a pill down these cats' throats. If your cat proves to be one of these, discuss the problem with your veterinarian. See if the medication your cat is prescribed is available in a liquid or injectable form.
