Suggestions/Advice on giving a cat a pill....

[AndyRosse]

Hey all! Tomorrow morning I need to give Rascal a pill, and well, I have never had to give him one before! We have been fortunate enough to always be able to get liquid forms of medicines, however, this time I have no choice but to give him a pill...the liquid antibotic is upsetting his tummy.

So I guess I''m looking for any helpful suggestions/advice you guys might have from your own experiences. My fear is that I will not be able to keep his mouth shut before he gets away and spits it out. Man, I have a hard enough time just opening Rascal''s mouth a bit to inject some liquid medicine in. And believe me, that is a fight.

 

[rainbowtrout]

OK here is what you do (its always worked for me):

You kneel with the kitty between your knees. The you gently sort of sit down on them (not hurting them!) so they have to lie down. You MUST tuck your ankles together behind you so they don''t wiggle backwards, and your knees must be gently holding the cat''s front shoulders. Then you take their head firmly in your hand and put pressure on their upper jaw until they open their mouth. You quickly stick the pill in and gently but firmly continue sitting on the cat and holding their head and jaw shut with your hand until they swallow the pill. Massage their throat if you can and maybe put a little fish oil on the pill so it goes down easy.

 

[Kaleigh]

I don''t have a cat, but this works on my doggies. I wrap the pill in some american cheese and give it to them as a treat. They never know the pill is there and gobble it down.

 

[AndyRosse]

Thanks rainbowtrout.

The position you are talking about is EXACTLY what I have to do when I give him liquid medicines LOL. I will try to keep his mouth shut, but it will certainly be difficult!! He is such a little pain in the butt!

 

[indecisive]

I used to work in a vet office and normally when we had to pill a cat we would use a long device that you put the pill in to make it a little safer on your fingers. When we didn''t use that we would open the cats mouth with one hand and then quickly put the pill on the back of the throat then shut the cats mouth.
Here is kind of how we did it.

http://www.goletavet.com/howtopillyourcat.htm

 

[widget]

Hi, Rascal...
I''m no expert, but here''s how I do it. I think the secret is to work FAST and get it done before he/she know what''s happening!

Here''s what I do: with one hand I hold the cat''s head...my palm over the top of his head. I pry his mouth open with that hand, and pointing his face UP toward the ceiling. Then IMMEDIATELY push the pill way to the back of his throat with the other hand.

It helps if you "grease up" the pill first with something yummy.

In my experience, unless the pill is reall pushed back there, the cat will manage to spit it out...

HTH
widget

 

[AndyRosse]

Date: 4/23/2006 9:54:56 PM
Author: kaleigh
I don''t have a cat, but this works on my doggies. I wrap the pill in some american cheese and give it to them as a treat. They never know the pill is there and gobble it down.

Thanks Lisa

That works with my dogs too! Unfortunately Rascal doesn''t "gobble" things down, he meticulously eats, little piece by little piece LOL.

My only hope is that he might eat the pill on his own since it is liver flavored. I''m going to pretend it is a treat, and we shall see! But the vet had little hope that he would fall for it, and so do I!

 

[tawn]

Put it in his favorite food, and once he gets it in his mouth, you can *try* to hold his head up and stroke his throat lightly downwards to encourage swallowing!

If it gets ugly...you can do the cat-hold, which gives you a lot of control! Hold him in a football like hold, with his body firmly against your side sort of under your arm, grasping his opposite front leg by the thigh (eg. if you''re holding him under your left side, hold his rightleg) and letting his hind legs dangle. I learned this while working for a vet...I don''t know if I explained it well enough, but it immobilizes the cat pretty much!

Maybe there are pics online...I''ll look!

Didn''t find a pic...but this website!

Found a pic...Good luck!

 

[AndyRosse]

Widget, Indecisive, thanks!! I like the website''s suggestion of coating the pill with butter, and plus, I''m glad to know that I can''t choke him by just throwing the pill in the back of his throat

My other thought is if I just cannot get him to swallow the pill, I do have a pill grinder that pretty much can grind the pill into powder. Maybe I can sprinkle it on some tuna and he won''t notice! LOL, just an idea.

 

[widget]

Date: 4/23/2006 9:54:56 PM
Author: kaleigh
I don''t have a cat, but this works on my doggies. I wrap the pill in some american cheese and give it to them as a treat. They never know the pill is there and gobble it down.

LOL kaleigh....you obviously don''t have a cat. Pill-wise, anyway, cats are much cleverer than dogs and not so easily duped!

widget

 

[Kaleigh]

Date: 4/23/2006 10:05:55 PM
Author: widget

Date: 4/23/2006 9:54:56 PM
Author: kaleigh
I don''t have a cat, but this works on my doggies. I wrap the pill in some american cheese and give it to them as a treat. They never know the pill is there and gobble it down.

LOL kaleigh....you obviously don''t have a cat. Pill-wise, anyway, cats are much cleverer than dogs and not so easily duped!

widget

Haha, well I tried??

 

[Cind11]

Pilling a cat as many people know is not fun. When I have to do it to one of my cats, it usually helps to have two people. Usually either my DH or I will be the holder and the other the piller. One of wraps the kitty up rather tightly in a towel and holds him against our body while the other one tilts the cat''s head back and prays the pill will end up down the throat and not flung five feet away from where we are sitting. Seriously, I find the towel thing does help.

 

[movie zombie]

i have to give my LaHonda girl cat a pill every day. her''s is put into a ''treat'' called Pill Pocket. some vets carry them as do some pet stores. a prescription is not needed. for more info: 1.866.473.3643 and/or http://www.nutecforpets.com/productInfo.do

this has made our life much easier!

movie zombie

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 4/23/2006 9:54:56 PM
Author: kaleigh
I don''t have a cat, but this works on my doggies. I wrap the pill in some american cheese and give it to them as a treat. They never know the pill is there and gobble it down.

Doesn''t work on cats. They are too smart

. Rascal will eat the cheese and leave the pill. We have had to give both of our cats pills. I hold them really tight and my FI opens their mouth (you have to force it open) tries to put the pill as far back as possible and then we massage their throat. They hate it...a lot but you gotta do it. I really think it is a two person job. Good luck!

 

[AndyRosse]

Date: 4/23/2006 10:40:59 PM
Author: movie zombie
i have to give my LaHonda girl cat a pill every day. her''s is put into a ''treat'' called Pill Pocket. some vets carry them as do some pet stores. a prescription is not needed. for more info: 1.866.473.3643 and/or http://www.nutecforpets.com/productInfo.do

this has made our life much easier!

movie zombie

That is awesome!!! I''m so looking into that. If a local vet or pet store carries them, it will definitely be worth a shot! Otherwise, I''m just going to have to suffer since Rascal only needs four pills, one a day. But I''m going to order some for the future, just in case!

And thanks everyone about the tips. Sounds like I will have to wake up extra early so my FI can help. Although around cats, he is rather timid LOL. I always end up being the bad guy

These past couple days, Rascal takes one look at me and runs to hide under the bed. He knows I''m either coming to give him meds or to take him to the vet! Poor boy!

 

[HOUMedGal]

All the above advice is excellent!

For me, the key is to immobilize the kitty (like in between your knees) and once you get their mouth open, get the pill as far back in their throat as you can!! This is key!! Then clamp their mouth shut and massage their throat for a bit until you feel lucky enough to check and see if it went down, or until kitty manages to wriggle away!! Has always worked for me!

 

[LAJennifer]

definitely coat the pill in butter. when you quickly place the pill on the back of the tongue, close the cat''s mouth (hold it shut)and immediately blow a puff of air in the cat''s face - that will help with getting him to swallow.

 

[indecisive]

Instead of putting the cat between your legs and such it might be better to wrap the cat in a towel and hold it close to you with your arm/elbow so you have your hands free to hold the mouth open and pill the cat. We always called it making a cat burrito at the vet office. It works really well and can be less traumatic on the cat! If you put the cat between your legs I would worry about the cat wiggling out or scratching you to get away. Good luck!

 

[blodthecat]

I always wrap my cat in a towel, to avoid getting scratched.

Once she is still, open her mouth and tilt the head right back. Aim the tablet at the back of the mouth, close the mouth and very gently rub the cats throat to encourage the swallow reflex.

Good luck

 

[Lorelei]

Rascal everyone has given you the right advice, but there is just one thing I can add which might help. I am something of an expert on giving cats pills as I had to do this EOD for years with one of them. When aiming the pill when you have to be as fast as lightening, try to aim dead centre to the middle back of the tongue. It is easy to miss and get it to the side then it is easy for the crafty things to spit it out! Also keep the mouth closed until you see them swallow or gulp, then be prepared for dirty looks for the rest of the day.

Good luck my dear and don't get scratched!

PS If he gets mad, get someone to hold his paws down for you or wrap the little darling in a towel! They so HATE this but look so cute

 

[Sparkster]

INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIVING YOUR CAT A PILL
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat''s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth.. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cats throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Royal Doulton Figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible
from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply plaster to spouse''s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbours shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed car into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13. Tie cats front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cats mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour a pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to casualty, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call a furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for RSPCA to collect cat and ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

 

[tawn]

The towel tip is the best! Keeps both of you safe! Let us know how many scratches you end up with, and how many pills end up under the stove or the fridge, etc....Seriously, good luck and don''t feel too badly because you''re going what''s best for the kitty!

 

[strmrdr]

well you know,
my sisters cat needed a pill, she faught and faught with the cat to get em to take it.
I put the pill in my hand while holding the cat, put my hand in front of the cat and the cat gobbled it right down, then I put a treat in my hand and did the same.
End of problem giving the cat a pill.
Try a treat first then the pill.
saves a lot of fighting.

 

[widget]

LOL.....SPARKSTER!!!!!!!! Too funny!!!

widget

 

[Odilia]

SPARKSTER, you beat me to it. I read one like that years ago and was just dying laughing !!!! I think the one you posted is a different version but same idea. Too funny.

 

[FireGoddess]

How did it go? I got one of those long instruments that you can shoot the pill into the cat''s throat with. Pretty cheap from the vet. It works really well.

 

[moon river]

Date: 4/24/2006 3:23:51 AM
Author: Sparkster
INSTRUCTIONS FOR GIVING YOUR CAT A PILL
1. Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat''s mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth.. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cats throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Royal Doulton Figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel, and get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible
from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply plaster to spouse''s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbours shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus jab. Throw T-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Ring fire brigade to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologise to neighbour who crashed car into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil-wrap.

13. Tie cats front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cats mouth open with small spanner. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour a pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to casualty, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call a furniture shop on way home to order new table.

15. Arrange for RSPCA to collect cat and ring local pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

That''s about right.

I remember my mom trying to get our cat to swallow a pill when I was younger. It went something like this.

 

[AndyRosse]

LOL!!!!! That is great!!!

 

[AndyRosse]

Thanks everyone for the great advice!

I tried to give the pill to Rascal as a treat this morning, he licked it a bit and then decided it wasn''t worth his effort

We are switching to this antibotic because the old one was upsetting his stomach to the point where he wouldn''t eat very much. He had a bit of an appetite last night (the vet gave him a shot of Pepcid, I think, to calm his stomach), but this morning he was back to not eating. So I didn''t try to force the pill down this throat, as we are trying to avoid giving him the antibotic on an empty stomach. So later today I will try to feed him again, and then I will seriously put some effort to getting this pill in him. Thankfully, he is not a biter or a scratcher, he is just really, really, really hard to catch and hold still LOL.

Thanks again everyone for the advice!!

 

[FireGoddess]

Can you mash the pill up in some canned tuna? Whenever we try to hide the pill in food, Chloe licks all the food off the pill and leaves it there.

So we''ve taken to grinding the pill up and mixing it in some tuna. This seems to go over well.