Pill pockets?

**fragrancehound** · 10-20-2006, 05:54 PM

I need to give my cat both an antibiotic and pain pill for the next week or so and I am telling you right now I dread it. Why is it so hard to give medication to cats?? I've tried those pill pushers, i've tried crushing the meds and putting it in his food, and I've tried coating it with food and rubbing his throat. Somehow the meds get spit up on me. Even liquid meds are difficult. I cam across this product called Pill Pockets that is supposed to amke this task easier. Has anyone tried it before?

**catmandu** · 10-20-2006, 06:13 PM

The Only Thing That Works With The Found Cats, Is Putting The Liquid Meds On Thier Paws And Nose, And Then Pray That They Lick It Off.

**Catty1** · 10-20-2006, 09:23 PM

I had very good luck with Pill Pockets. Oscar wised up to them in two weeks, but other cats just gobble them and don't think twice!

Would your vet have a sample pack for you to try?

Good luck!

**Laura's Babies** · 10-20-2006, 09:58 PM

Catty, I knew somebody here had tried them...

My girl Giz gets her heart meds daily and we are using all kinds of tricks to get her to take her meds but so far we haven't had to resort to the pill pockets. What we are doing right now is crushing her pill inbetween spoons to make it a powder and push her pounce treat into the powder... that is what we are doing right now.... Tomorrow we may have to come up with something else...

**fragrancehound** · 10-20-2006, 10:08 PM

Out of desperation I had my bf go to the store and buy them. They were on the pricy side at $11 but I was desperate. Surpisingly it worked well at least for the pain pills. My cat ate it with no problems and did not spit anything out. I hope he does not get sick of them. I have to give him these pills for 1 week so anything that helps me do that would be such a lifesaver.

**kimlovescats** · 10-20-2006, 10:15 PM

I've never tried them, please let us know how they work .... I think we all hate having to medicate our kitties!!!

**fragrancehound** · 10-23-2006, 01:11 PM

I have been using these pill pockets for a few days now and my cat will no longer eat them.

I think he has figured out the medicine is in there. I'm now back to square one trying yet another way to give him these darn pills.

Overall, I think these pill pockets are worth at least trying once. They seem to work best with small pills though. Also, on a side note they did give my cat the runs so it may be best to limit the number of pockets you use on a daily basis.

**Dorothy39** · 10-23-2006, 02:27 PM

I have a sister who is a "slave" to 3 cats!!!

One of them is the worst cat I've ever seen, in terms of giving him his medicine for UT Infection.

she tried everything, to no avail.

She came up with the idea of Putting her cat into a back pack, zipping it up to his neck, and having her daughter hold him still while she inserts the liquid medicine into his mouth. This is not a lovely job, but someone has to do it. She feels anxious just knowing that she has to give him his medicine!!

I really feel sorry for Cat Mommies and Daddies who have to force down medication to a fiesty, smart, Cat.Oh, He can be a wild man!!!

**mruffruff** · 10-23-2006, 02:31 PM

I am in the midst of giving pills to 13 feral, semi-feral and mostly tame cats. I asked the advice of a former vet tech and she said she uses a very small amount of chicken broth to dissolve the crushed pill.

My cats said "Nope!'

I bought a pill crusher and have tried: teaspoon of tuna & juice (good results)
teaspoon of mashed Mackeral (poor)
gravy from pouch (best results)
Chicken broth (forget about it)
I did manage to scruff one of the tamer ones. I stuck the pill popper in his mouth and he swallowed without realizing what I was up to.

I bought some cheez whiz to try tonight.

**iamgobsmacked** · 10-23-2006, 02:53 PM

Your vet can contact the lab and have a flavored med made up. Try a liver flavor. Also my cats and dogs refused the pill pockets. I now buy a steak and cut it up into 1" squares. Freeze in plastic container then separate and put into a freezer bag. Just pop one out when needed and run under warm water. Empty the capsule or wrap the pill in it. Make sure if its for cats you slice it thin. Most animals can not resist a small piece of raw steak.

**moosmom** · 10-23-2006, 05:51 PM

I never could quite figure out why vets sometimes prescribed antibiotics such as Zythromax, a pediatric antibiotic that comes in, of all things, bubblegum flavor??

I have a "piller" I can send you to try. It helps you get the pill way in the back of the cat's throat. It might save a couple of your fingers. If you're interested, PM me your address and I'll send it out. Using the piller and rubbing the cat's throat while blowing in his nose will help his swallowing reflex to kick in.

Good luck!

**RedHedd** · 10-23-2006, 06:49 PM

I can't help you as I've never had a problem giving meds to any of my cats. Good luck? Method? I don't know, but I do know those pill pocket things wouldn't work.

I snuggle-medicate them. Approach from behind, gently place my legs on each side of the kitty. Don't sit on the kitty nor squish him/her, just make sure kitty is firmly placed between your legs. Snuggle and kiss kitty, gently coaxing their little mouth up to yours and when they least expect it, pop the pill in or shoot the medication down their throat. Proceed to kiss kitty on the lips, stroking the chin. cooing and awing and telling them how much you love them and what a good kitty they are. Works every time for me.

**fragrancehound** · 10-23-2006, 10:45 PM

I am just not having much luck today.

I tried dressing up the those pill pockets by adding another treat to it (didn't work)

I tried crushing his pill in tuna juice and in tuna (neither method worked)

I tried smooshing his pill into a regular treat (didn't work)

I tried crushing his pill and sprinkling it on his food (didn't work)

I guess I am headed to Petsmart tomorrow to see if they have anything else I can use. The worst part is that he doesn't want to be touched because he is still very sore from the surgery and stitches. My poor baby! He won't let me hold him either.