How do I make my cat eat her pill?

[Catsfolifecx]

It's me again ~ I finally took Toto to the vet and it turns out she has a eye virus. She's on eye drops and L-Lysine. The problem is ...how do I her take these pills? I tried the food trick. It didn't work. I tried making her swallow it but nothing. Please help!


I want to thank everyone who gave me advice and wished Toto well.

[mrspunkysmom]

I spend the money and get the shot, but it is expensive. You can crush the pill and put it in tuna juice or other meat juice. Make sure gravy has no spices. Broth is better. Some cats have problems with spices. Or get a syringe and be prepared for a battle. Make sure she'll drink the broth first before lacing with meds.

If she's your only cat, you can also crush and sprinkle on food.

These are tactics that I have tried. Mixing with gravy broth works for me.

Good luck

[Catsfolifecx]

I spend the money and get the shot, but it is expensive. You can crush the pill and put it in tuna juice or other meat juice. Make sure gravy has no spices. Broth is better. Some cats have problems with spices. Or get a syringe and be prepared for a battle. Make sure she'll drink the broth first before lacing with meds.

If she's your only cat, you can also crush and sprinkle on food.

These are tactics that I have tried. Mixing with gravy broth works for me.

Good luck

Thanks so much! I have one more cat, Cookie. But ill try with your advice. Thanks!

[Catty1]

I just went through this with my one cat Oscar. First I put a little bit of hot water into the food bowl and drop the pill into it. Then I open a can of salmon and drain the juice out of it into the bowl. I crush up the pill with a spoon, making sure none stays stuck on the bottom of the spoon.

Oscar laps it up and all is well.

Good luck!

Edited to add - I'll be having a lot of salmon salad for a few days! ;)

[Shady]

I've found with most of my cats I can pill them manually..MOST. One of my late cats almost took off my finger.

The others were easy as long as you were quick..I've opened their mouth, tilted their heads back and dropped the pill in, making sure it gets deep enough they cant wiggle it out again, then gently hold their mouths closed and stroke their throats, works for me 99% of the time. If you've ever seen how the vets examine their mouths and teeth, they kind of fold their lips around some teeth that way they tend not to bite as they will be biting themselves..it takes technique and practice and I've had both through the years..also startling them just a little after the pill by blowing on their face helps make them swallow.

Having said that I agree the shots are ideal..a two week shot and get it and forget it..

Good luck.

[Catsfolifecx]

I've found with most of my cats I can pill them manually..MOST. One of my late cats almost took off my finger.

The others were easy as long as you were quick..I've opened their mouth, tilted their heads back and dropped the pill in, making sure it gets deep enough they cant wiggle it out again, then gently hold their mouths closed and stroke their throats, works for me 99% of the time. If you've ever seen how the vets examine their mouths and teeth, they kind of fold their lips around some teeth that way they tend not to bite as they will be biting themselves..it takes technique and practice and I've had both through the years..also startling them just a little after the pill by blowing on their face helps make them swallow.

Having said that I agree the shots are ideal..a two week shot and get it and forget it..

Good luck.

I just tried doing it and it didn't work. I think I'm going to need 10 band-aids because she scratched me while trying to get away e.e Thanks anyways (:. I'm going to try to crush it and give it to her with a bit of food

[katladyd]

I have a kitty that has to be pilled every day and will be for the rest of his life. I got a "pill popper" from my vet and pilling him is a piece of cake! I've been using this for well over a year and it makes giving Mac his pill a piece of cake. Ask your vet for one and good luck!.:)

[Shady]

I just tried doing it and it didn't work. I think I'm going to need 10 band-aids because she scratched me while trying to get away e.e Thanks anyways (:. I'm going to try to crush it and give it to her with a bit of food

Ahh..that can happen, depends on the temperament of the kitty. Plus, doing it just right takes practice, if she wont eat the food, try some salmon oil, as mentioned, another thing I have done (just to get an elderly cat to eat) was to boil some chicken, so make chicken broth, and put it in that, you can also mash up or process the meat and add as well.

If you have someone with you, you can also wrap the kitty in a towel so that they cant use their claws but watch out for the teeth. ;)

[Randi]

I have had to give my cat pills years ago and to begin with it was such a struggle. What worked in the end was to lean over him one hand around his neck and sit like that, stroking him for a while until he was relaxed, the do what Shady did.

My cat loved shrimps, so I also tried to crush the medicine and put inside one of the shrimps. That worked the first day, but once he got suspicious, he wouldn't touch it. I suppose patience is key word here. Good luck! :)

Btw, there are earlier threads about "How to pill a cat." Search for them! ;)

[mon]

This will not help at all. Can't not share it though cuz it's so freakin' funny. My cat Shadowman would not swallow his pills. He really needed those pills. spent 3 hrs. trying to make him take one. Kept spitting them out and he ripped me to shreds as well. I finally got so fed up I threw it against the wall, was gonna cry, he ran across the room when it bounced off the wall and ate it. I still can't believe it and I was there.:D

[mon]

p.s. good luck

[moosmom]

Pill pockets

[jessewills]

It very difficult to give a cat a pill. I would like to suggest you that first crust the pill into fine power and mix into his favorite food like cream cheese or canned food. If food is a fish flavor I think it is best for him. Good luck.:love:

[Freckles]

This used to work for Freckles:
Put Toto on the floor with your head and Toto's head facing the same direction. Straddle her with a knee on both sides of her body. Cross your feet so she can't back out. Then use Shady's method.

[maid25cats]

I would fill a dropper with alittle bit of water.
i would kneel on the floor pull the cat back in between my legs.
the back of his head close to my stomach

tilt his head back open his jaw from his top teeth
drop the pill all the way at the back of his throat.
DO NOT LET HIM MOVE HIS HEAD TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT!
then squirt the water from the dropper in his mouth which will force him to swallow.
keep his head back of a minute scratching his neck to make sure the pill went down.

(MY BOY WOULD GIVE A QUICK SHAKE of HIS HEAD AND THE PILL WOULD GO TO THE SIDE THEN HE WOULD SPIT IT OUT)

It takes a little practice

[Cataholic]

I pill three of my cats. I used to use the pill pockets, but spent too much time trying to determine if they ate it or not. Now I use a pill popper. Make sure you get the cat sized one. The dog sized ones are just too big for their mouths.

I pill two on the floor. They are standing against my legs (my heels are together so there is a barrier to the backward moving), and I put my left hand over their heads, kind of hiding their eyes . My thumb is on the right side of the cat's face, and my other finger on the left side of the cats face, and my palm kind of covers their eyes. I apply pressure with my thumb/fingers and the jaw just opens up. Then, I shoot the pill in there with the right hand.

I do this all in about 3 seconds. It took time to get this time down, but it is sooo simple now. And, one of the three is what I would call a "pistol" of a cat. :-0 I immediately treat them to wet food after this. So they are so focused on the reward that is coming they hardly pay any attention to the pre-food activities.

Liquids/grinding into liquids...to me, that is just so much harder to deal with.

[Chatanuga]

Chessie was always good about taking his pills. Before losing him to his heart issue, he was taking three medicines twice a day (part of a baby aspirin every other day). Of course, I always gave him treats afterwards so he knew that once he took the medicine, he was going to get what he loved. :)


http://youtu.be/EhWEzD9jvUI?t=1m36s

[emily_the_spoiled]

If you are trying to give your kitty lysine, it is available in a powder format from Amazon.com. There is no taste to it and I just mix it in with their food.

Otherwise I end up using a combination of pill pockets or a pill popper (depending on the cat)

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

I don't this will be any help, but I cannot resist to post this.....;):D


How to Give a Cat a Pill (followed by How to Give a Dog a Pill)
1. Pick up cat 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 in the pill. 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 away soggy pill.

4. Take new pill from foil wrapper. Cradle cat in left arm, holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force open the jaws 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, ignoring 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 cat’s throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, and get another pill from foil wrapper. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines and vases from hearth, and set aside 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 cat’s mouth open with pencil, and blow down straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill is not harmful to humans. Drink one beer to take awy taste of pill. Apply Band-Aid to spouse’s forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10. Retrieve cat from neighbour’s shed. Get another pill. Open another beer. 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 replace cupboard door on hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of Scotch. Pour shot and drink. Apply cold compress to cheek and check medical records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw away tee-shirt and fetch another one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve ****ing cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbour who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrapper.

13. Tie the little sod’s front paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table. Fetch heavy duty pruning gloves from shed. Push pill into mouth, followed by large piece of fillet steak. Be rough about it. Hold head vertically and pour two pints of water down throat to wash down pill.

14. Consume remainder of Scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm, and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call in at furniture shop on the way home, to order new dining table.

15. Place “Free Mutant Cat from Hell� ad in local newspaper and ring local pet shop to see if they have any bunnies.

How to Give a Dog a Pill
1. Wrap it in bacon.