How to give a cat a pill
There are a few ways to get your cat to take their medication, but the most common way is by pill. Some cats won’t take a pill and will spit them out or hide from you, making it difficult to give them their meds.
Hiding the tablet in a treat is the easiest way to give your cat oral medication. You can also check with your vet to see if you can crush the pill and place the pill in liquid cat treats. It’s not recommended to mix the medicine in with cat food in case your cat doesn’t eat everything.
If you have to pill the cat manually, we have some tips for how to pill a cat solo as well as how to pill a cat with two people. We’ll also cover how to make it easier to pill difficult cats.
How to pill a cat by hand
If your cat is cooperative, pilling them will be much easier. Start by gently petting them and talking to them in a soothing voice. This will help them relax. Next, open their mouth by placing your thumb on one side of their jaw and two fingers on the other. Tilt their head back and drop the pill as far back on their tongue as you can. Close their mouth and massage their throat to help your cat swallow.
The first step is to have the cat in a comfortable position. You can hold them in your lap or have them sit on a table in front of you. If they are sitting on a table, make sure they are facing away from you so they can’t see the pill.
Next, open their mouth with your thumb and index finger. You’ll likely have several chances to pill your cat so you can experiment with the overhead or under-the-jaw methods. Quickly and gently place the pill into their mouth as far back as you can. Close their mouth and hold it shut for a few seconds so they don’t spit the pill out.
If you are having trouble getting the pill into their mouth, you can try using a pill pusher. This is a small, soft-tipped device that helps push the pill into the back of their mouth.
Once the pill is in their mouth, you can give them a treat to distract them and help them swallow the pill. Lastly, make sure they have plenty of water to drink because many medications make cats thirsty.
Pilling a cat solo
Pilling a cat solo can be difficult, so be patient. Try hiding the pill in different types of food or pill pockets. If your cats are too smart and evolve to find the pill, try adding another texture to the food, like a crumbled freeze-dried treat, to make the pill harder to find.
If you have to go at it the hard way, try to get the cat into a small enclosed room, like a bathroom. That will give you multiple chances to give them their medicine while they fight you. It’s important to keep calm and not let the cat sense your fear. Sing songs and make it as fun as possible, and remember, you’re in it together.
The saying “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” also applies to pilling cats. Have the pill ready to go, get them on your lap, tilt their head back, and give them the pill. Getting them to swallow the pill is part of the challenge, so keep their mouth closed, rub under their neck, and blow lightly on their nose.
The towel technique is a good one to try if you’re giving medicine to a wiggly cat. Wrap them in a towel with just their head sticking out. It may take a few tries to get it right because you have to hold the towel while you open their mouth and drop in a pill. The towel method works better with two people.
An alternative to the towel method is a cat bag. If you can get the cat into a cat bag, it will block its claws and allow you to have free hands to work with the cat’s mouth.
Be patient, and good luck!
Pilling a cat with two people
If your cat is naturally feral or difficult, pilling them will be more challenging. You may need someone to help you hold them while you give the cat a pill.
Start by capturing the cat in a small space like a bathroom. If you can’t confine the cat, try to get them on a table, couch, bed, or on your lap.
Try to make it a positive experience by petting them and talking to them in a soothing voice. If that doesn’t appeal to your moody cat, then try to make the process as quick and painless as possible.
Next, have the person hold your cat still while you open its mouth. Place your thumb on one side of their jaw and two fingers on the other. The process is the same as pilling with one person, but it’s easier to manage the cat with two people. Tilt their head back and drop the pill as far back on their tongue as you can. Close their mouth and massage their throat to help them swallow the pill.
If you have a difficult cat and two people, the towel approach is a great choice. One person holds the cat in the towel, and the other person gives the cat the pill.
tips to make pilling your cat easier
- Give them the pill dipped in their favorite food. This will help to mask the taste of the pill and make them more likely to swallow it.
- Ask for a flavored oral medication. Some companies make pills that are coated with a flavor that cats like, such as tuna or chicken.
- Use a pill pocket. These are small, soft pockets that you can insert the pill into. Your cat will then eat the pocket and the pill along with it.
- Give them the pill during treat time. This will help to distract them from the fact that they are about to take medicine.
- Break it or crush it (if you’re allowed) – Some pills can be crushed or broken into smaller pieces. Check with your veterinarian to see if this is an option for your cat’s medication. If so, you may be able to mix it with a small amount of Churu or Nulo. Here are a few of our favorite cat treats.
- Try liquid medication. If your cat is resistant to pills, you may be able to give your cat medication in liquid form. Check with your veterinarian to see if this is an option for your cat’s medication.
- Try a pilling syringe. This is a small syringe that can be used to insert the pill into your cat’s mouth. You can buy them online or at your veterinarian clinic.
- Try the towel or bag method. If your cat is resisting, you may need to wrap them in a towel or blanket.
Conclusion
Giving your cat a pill doesn’t have to be difficult. With a little practice and patience, you’ll be able to do it. There are many different techniques that you can try, and some great resources on YouTube that will show you different techniques. Try a few and see what works best for you and your cat. It’s to not give up and remember that you and the cat are in this together.
