Giving pills to cats

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by yetibone

I've used this on our cats for years. Junior had to have orabax for over a year after his UTI deteriorated into necrotized tissue that blocked his urethra, and surgery was needed. he eventually got so used to it, I didn't have to sneak up anymore.

Used it on all of my cats at one time or another, and it does require some practice to develop the technique. Each of my cats take to it differently.

What exactly is that?

Fortunately I am on a new generation of cats (all under 5 years old) and have not had to administer meds... yet.

[vash]

Originally Posted by yetibone

I've used this on our cats for years. Junior had to have orabax for over a year after his UTI deteriorated into necrotized tissue that blocked his urethra, and surgery was needed. he eventually got so used to it, I didn't have to sneak up anymore.

Used it on all of my cats at one time or another, and it does require some practice to develop the technique. Each of my cats take to it differently.

this!!!

i still have one! my last cat was a RAPTOR. it took two of us to give her a pill.

wear jeans. no gloves..glove are early warning for a cat. pick a slippery surface like a tile floor surface. i held the cat between my knees..my butt gently pushing down. cat cannot get a purchase to reach out and EFF ME UP. wife pulls open the mouth and POW! pill is gone. after awhile she learned she was out-numbered and it got easier.

my current cat is gonna be difficult, but we have done it before with the same strategy.

[yetibone]

That's a pill popper, or pill gun Scott. You slip the pill into the pointy end, and do the trick that Stomachmonkey described, where you put your thumb on one corner, and middle finger on the other corner of your cat's mouth, and apply enough gentle pressure that they open up. Once open, set the pointy end as far back on their tongue as you can and quickly push the little plunger.

[sailchef]

+1 Pill popper



I sit on the floor cross legged with my cat on the floor in between my legs. there's no way to escape or claw me. I put the popper on a coffee table next to where I am going to sit a few minutes before. Don't force it just hold it by the corner of his mouth and wait. When he opens up push the plunger.

[Laneco]

I wrap cats in a heavy towel with just their heads popping out. Get the front legs pointed toward the rear when you wrap the towel. If you can get that done, you can get the cat held down face up on the floor while you are crouching. Use your legs to keep the cat immobile. Pinch the back of the jaw to open the mouth, pop in the pill as far back in the throat as you can push it, literally shove the pill with your finger into their throat, close the cats mouth and hold it closed until they swallow.

Now. Stand up and run for your life.

All teasing aside, I've done it this way for some 30 years. I often get volunteered to help my friends administer meds to cats. I would actually rather give medication to a rabid pit bull than a house cat. It's easier and I'll lose less hide.

angela

[Aragorn]

I guess I just got lucky. Both of my cats were ok with taking medication. The female tabby allowed me to grab her head and use the above mentioned pill popper to get the pill in the back of her mouth. Simply held her there until she swallowed the pill. Hiding the pill in food or butter pats just allowed her to eat around the pill. Male cat allowed me to just pop the pills in with no drama.

I know others who use Angela's towel technique with good results.

[Rinty]

We find that the Kraft (soft) cheese slices work well. Just roll a small piece into a ball, and then push the pill into it. Make sure the pill is completely covered. If the pill is too big, just get a pill cutter and cut it into smaller pieces that are hideable in the cheese ball..

[sammyg2]

Tape the pill to his foot with scotch tape.

[JavaBrewer]

Originally Posted by Aragorn

I guess I just got lucky. Both of my cats were ok with taking medication. The female tabby allowed me to grab her head and use the above mentioned pill popper to get the pill in the back of her mouth. Simply held her there until she swallowed the pill. Hiding the pill in food or butter pats just allowed her to eat around the pill. Male cat allowed me to just pop the pills in with no drama.

+1. I tilted the head back, pry open mouth, stick pill down throat, gulp, gone. Guess I had an 'easy' cat.

[willtel]