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How to give your cat a Pill
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Pilling a cat can be a
nightmarish experience. Cats don't want something pushed
down their throats, and they'll fight with all their might
to prevent it. In fact, it's amazing how powerful their
small bodies can be. Here are some ways to make the pilling
process easier and less stressful for both you and your cat.
The easiest way of pilling a cat is to crush the pill into a
powder by using mortar & pestle or by putting the pill
between two spoons. Then mix the powder with a small amount
of wet food (preferably a preservative free, healthy wet
food). If your cat usually eats dry food, she will probably
view the wet food as a treat and eat it up.
If the medication is a capsule, just pull the capsule apart,
sprinkle the contents on the wet food, & mix, & serve.
If your cat won't eat the wet food that contains the pill or
if she is too ill to eat, you can get a pill gun, also
called a pet piller, from your veterinarian. This is a
plastic rod with little rubber cups on the end that hold the
pill until a plunger is pressed. It's best to get a long gun
with a soft tip.
Your vet can show you how to use the pill gun, but here are
some basic instructions. Getting your cat's mouth open is
going to be the most difficult part. First, be sure the pill
is in a handy place. You can put your cat on a bookshelf
with her bottom in a corner or you can put her on your lap
firmly braced. Have your cat facing to the right if you're
right handed, & vice versa. With your left hand, grip your
cat at the cheekbones, putting your palm at the top of her
head. Keeping your finger off the trigger, with your right
hand, insert the pill gun until the pill is positioned over
the tongue & open throat. Then pull the trigger & withdraw
the gun quickly. Be sure to give your cat a treat directly
after giving the pill.
If you don't feel comfortable using a pill gun, you can try
giving the pill by hand. Extend your cat's head backwards
just far enough so that her nose is pointing towards the
ceiling. At this point, most cats will slightly open their
mouths. With the little finger or ring finger of the hand
holding the pill, open the bottom jaw a little more. You may
need to hold her top jaw with your other hand while doing
this. Aim straight and lightly throw the pill or drop it so
that it hits beyond the hump in her tongue. (Be sure to drop
or lightly throw the pill rather than shoving it down so
that your cat is not as likely to gag and so that you lessen
your chance of getting bitten.) Most cats will then
instinctively swallow the pill.
In case none of these pilling strategies work, as a last
resort try to find a compounding pharmacy, and have them
make flavored liquid or gel out of the medication.
by Deena Caruso
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