How do I give a pill?

[catnapper]

Ok, I gave my boo-boo boy his Clavamox, but found it on the carpet downstairs (and gee, I was sooo proud that he took it so well.) Are there any tricks to get him to take it and actually SWALLOW it?

[guster girl]

You can wrap it in cheese or some other food. But, I've always just used one of those pill poppers you can get from the vet.

[PayItForward]

Yep, we use a pill gun we bought at the vets, less stress all round.

[catnapper]

Why didn't she tell me about that today! ugh! Can I get them at the perstore too? Would it work if I buried it in some wet food?

[guster girl]

I don't know why they didn't give you one! I don't know if you can get one at a store, though. And, you can try putting it in wet food, but, my cats always would just eat around it. With something really irresistable, they're less likely to fuss with it. but, some cats will still spit out the pill. Can you get back to your vet (or any vet) to get a pill plunger?

[Fallon]

maybe you can crush the pill until it's powdery and put it in some wet food.. the kitty wont even notice it's there and will enjoy the food. i've never used the pill gun before, exactly how does it work?

[Craftlady]

The way I give pills is hold the animal between my legs with their back side towardsme and tilt their head, open their mouth, pop the pill way back in throat area. Close mouth and rub under their chin. Blow on their face little bit they swollow.
This works for me, very rare do I have a pill come back up.

Depending on the pill some start to dissolve right away and then you have a real mess. You can wrap pill in food or cheese. My gang eats the cheese and left the pill, thus I just resorted to toss of pill in throat routine. LOL

I've used a baby medicine dropper/dispenser for giving liquid medication. You have a plunger with a tip, and cc marks it works great.

[guster girl]

it's a long, usually plastic, syringe looking instrument. it has a rubber thing at the end that holds the pill. You hold it like you would a syringe and place it in the kit's mouth, far back but, gently, and, plunge the pill down their throat. It's easy. I'm sure there's a photo online somewhere...

[Pam]

Originally posted by Craftlady
They way I give pills is hold the animal between my legs with their back side towardsme and tilt their head, open their mouth, pop the pill way back in throat area. Close mouth and rub under their chin. Blow on their face little bit they swollow.
This works for me, very rare do I have a pill come back up.

These is the method I use too. It helps if you have a second person to assist if kitty decides he/she isn't going to be cooperative. I tried the pill gun but the pill kept being spit back out. When you put it far enough back in their throat it has nowhere to go but down.

[Fallon]

i think i'd be nervous to use that pill popper.. sounds like it could hurt them.

[catcrazylady]

Pill gun is the way to go!! My vet gave me lessons and once you get the hang of it it's not so bad.
Lesson: load pill, scruff cat, twist head slightly to the side, press against side of mouth, put end of pill gun gently but far back into the throat, plunge, let go of cat and run!!
It sounds like a lot but it can be done in seconds which is what makes it great!

[catnapper]

Sheeesh! There is a lot that goes into pillign a cat! I was apparently holding him wrong, so I'll try to hold him like Craftlady suggested. If that fails, to the vet Monday for a pill shooter.

[QueenScoopalot]

It's all in the neck scruff! You may want to crush it up well if all else fails, and mix it into a tiny amount of meat baby food. Never easy with some of them though.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Firstly ~
NO Self-Respektin KAT will "knowlingly" consume Medications -
when "hidden" in treats or food -
no matter HOW *tastey* the treat or food may be!

Here's Dad's Oft-Repeated "How to Pill da Kat" article >>

Here's a good article on How to PILL da Kat ~
with minimal loss of blood...

How to PILL the Kat article

And we'll repeat *our* method ~
Get youselves a Pill Shooter!

They are *cheap* - less than $5.00 US;
should be availabe in any Pet Store - US and elsewhere:
cause little *stress* to either Kitty OR the Human;
almost Guarantee a successful *pilling* on the first *shot*

Here's a poor picture of ours - all soft plastic and made by
"Four Paws".

Pix - "Four Paws Pill Dispenser"

Dad *loves* it; Boots tolerates it;
and there hasn't been a lost or spit-out pill in years!

Y'all really Otta Get One!!

WHERE to get a Pill Shooter?
Almost ALL Pet Shops sell them...
Usually less than $5.00 gets you a reasonably good Plastic one.

Your VET may have a loaner; but you might as well buy your own.
And you do NOT need a fancy Chrome-Plated "Vet model" your Vet
may offer to SELL you!
The Pet Shop "cheepie" works just as well!

To get meds on-board over the weekend - if the
"Using your Fingers" method in the article above doesn't work ~

Get a STRAW - plain ole Drinking Straw - semi-large diameter
(thick milk-shake size)...

Insert pill in one end...
Take deep breath and secure Kat...
Insert Opposite end in your mouth...

Open Kat's mouth with methods from above articles...
Insert KAT End of straw over Kat tongue at back of throat...

*BLOW* through YOUR end of straw -
NOTE! Important! **BLOW** (Do NOT * *suck*!!)

"Verify" Pill came OUT (in KAT) -
before re-inserting straw in your milk-shake!

/s/ Phred

[catnapper]

Thank you for the article. It was very informative and I know I'll have no problem once I get him in the correct postion. my guys are very willing to let me do anything to them. If I can get away with brushing their teeth without blood loss, I can pill them too!