You’ve just come back from the vet with a bottle of pills for Fluffy in hand. Unfortunately, you are about to discover that trying to give your cat a pill can be one of the most frustrating tasks an owner can undertake. After the first round, you will likely discover that kitty will have wisened up to your intentions and will no longer tolerate being subdued and force fed a pill.
Before you pull out every last strand of your hair, consider some fail-proof strategies to make administering the pill to your kitty cat go a bit more smoothly.
• When your cat is sleeping soundly in his favorite spot, gently pick him up. If you are stealthy and get kitty when he is sleeping, you will bypass the inevitable game of “chase me through the house” that is bound to ensue if kitty sees the pill in your hand.
• Sit on the floor or in a chair and turn kitty on her side so her feet are extending over your lap. If your cat is unruly, you may need to put her between your knees to hold her in place.
• Gently insert your thumb and index finger into your kitty’s jaws to open up his mouth.
• Tilt your kitty’s head back with your thumb and index finger that are already in her mouth.
• Drop the pill towards the back of kitty’s throat.
• Remove your thumb and index finger from kitty’s mouth.
• Gently hold kitty’s mouth closed so he can’t spit out the pill.
• Gently massage kitty’s neck until she swallows.
If your kitty is really determined to win the battle and not take his pill, you may need to resort to more drastic measures:
• Wrap your cat in a towel, so that she cannot as easily scratch and/or struggle her way out of getting the pill.
• Enlist the help of a spouse or friend to help restrain kitty.
• Mix the pill into wet food. (Note: this strategy will require that you make sure that your cat actually consumes the pill and doesn’t just eat around it.)
• Buy a pill gun, which pops the pill easily into the back of kitty’s throat.
With a little experimentation, practice, and patience, you will discover that giving your cat his pill won’t be such a dreaded undertaking—for you or your feline. Be sure to praise and reward your kitty for successfully taking her pill.
