If you’ve ever had to pill a cat, you know that it can be a daunting task. Cats are notoriously difficult to pill, and many people end up injuring their pet in the process. In this blog post, we will provide some tips and tricks on how to safely and easily pill a cat. We’ll also discuss some of the most common methods for doing so. So whether your cat needs medication or just needs to have her yearly vaccinations administered, read on for some helpful advice!
What’s The Best Way To Give A Cat A Pill?
No cat owner looks forward to the challenge of giving a cat medicine, but sometimes it is necessary. Whether you are trying to help a sick kitty get back to good health or adminstering preventative medication on an ongoing basis, being able to give your pet its pills efficiently and without stress for both the human and the feline is essential.
Fortunately, there are two techniques that can make administering pills and capsules much easier for everyone involved. Read on for our tips and expertise on how best to go about giving a pill (or any form of oral medication) so that neither you nor your beloved furry friend will dread this task in the future!
Method 1: Give The Pill With Food
One of the simplest methods for how to pill a cat is administering the dose with food. Cats have an innate response to scavenging, so by wrapping the pill into a ball of wet food and mixing it into their regular meal can ensure that your cat takes the entire dosage without tasting or feeling its presence.
Disguise treats such as crunchy bacon can easily attract your cat’s attention, making them more likely to eat the pill mixed in their regular meal. As long as you administer the correct dosage and monitor how your cat responds, this method can be incredibly effective and stress-free!
Method 2: Give The Pill By Hand
Giving cats a pill by hand can be an intimidating process for an inexperienced pet parent. At first, it may seem easier to squirt the pill into your cat’s mouth or mix it into their food. However, these shortcuts can lead to difficulties if your cat becomes aware of how easily they can spit out the pill. The best way to give your cat a pill is to do it with confidence and finesse. Start in a quiet area where you have little noise or distraction; this will help minimize stress for both pet parent and kitty.
Gently cup your non-dominant hand—the one you don’t write with—and rub its fur until it relaxes, then use your dominant hand to carefully open its mouth. Place the pill close to the back of the throat then stroke down the face– babies know how to swallow better when their mothers make that same motion after milk– and encourage swallowing without actually forcing them. If successful, reward your companion with some praise and maybe even a tasty treat as a reward!
Tips For Successfully Pilling Your Cat
Despite your best attempts, medicating your feline friend isn’t always a simple task. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the challenge ahead of you, don’t fret – here are some helpful hints to make the process much easier and take away any stress or frustration!
Tip 1: Use A Pill Giver
Pill givers are highly recommended for how to pill a cat. These products, which can be picked up from pet stores or online, are designed specifically to make life simpler when it comes to administering medicine to your kitty. With pill givers, you can easily put the medicine into a special capsule with a plunger-like design, and then insert the entire capsule into your cat’s mouth. When you push on the plunger of the pill giver, your cat will swallow the medicine without needing water to help it go down. This makes pilling cats easier on everyone – especially cats who have trouble swallowing pills!
Tip 2: Use A Pill-Splitter Or Pill-Crusher
Properly doling out medication to your pet can be a daunting task, especially if you need to break up pills or crush them into smaller pieces. A pill-splitter or pill-crusher is an invaluable tool for anyone who needs to administer medications to their cats on a regular basis. Not only does a splitter carefully divide pills in half for precision dosing, but it also helps protect your hand from coming into contact with the drug itself. A crusher works by transforming pills into a powder which can then be mixed into food and more easily administered. Both of these tools are incredibly helpful in ensuring that our feline friends stay healthy and receive the medication they need.
Tip 3: Use An Empty Gelatine Capsule
For cats who are particularly tricky to pill, consider using an empty gelatine capsule as a way of masking the taste and smell of the medication. When filling the capsule, make sure it is only enough to hide the taste and smell. An overload can hamper how efficient the medication is in your cat’s body, so be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions accordingly. Before you give the capsule to your pet, break it into two pieces then quickly stuff it in their mouth with no room for them to shake their head or push it out with their tongue. With this trick up your sleeve, pill-time should become much easier for both pet parents and kitties alike.
Tip 4: Use A Little Water
Pilling a cat with the water technique is fairly simple: draw an appropriate amount of water into an eye dropper or oral syringe, then add the pill. Make sure to close your cat’s mouth and give the water-pill solution gently, allowing them time to swallow before releasing them. This method takes some practice but is much less stressful and complicated than other common methods. Not only that, but cats also find it more comfortable so they’re less likely to resist you or associate pilling with a negative experience.
Tip 5: Invest In Pill Pockets
Pill pockets can help you give your cat medication without the struggle of how to pill a cat. It is important to invest in pill pockets for its convenience and blessing for both you and your fur baby. Pill pockets come in various flavors, making it easier for you to medicate your pet more healthily and conveniently. Not only does it ease the hassle of how to pill a cat, but it can also help deliver the required medicine accurately, especially if your pet requires regular medications.
Tip 6: Use A Towel
One often underrated tool when it comes to how to pill a cat is the use of a towel. While not all cats will appreciate this extra layer, it can be invaluable for those at particularly high risk of falling off a surface or otherwise escaping and potential injury. Performing the pilling process with a folded towel draped over your arm can help to immobilize your fur friend and in turn make for a much smoother journey! This tip doesn’t need to be employed the whole time, but rather used whenever you need an extra lend of support.
Tip 7: Find A Friend
Establishing a routine from the start can be key when it comes to how to pill a cat. It’s best to do it at the same time and in the same place every day. Finding a friend who can help is ideal; even if that friend is your vet or an experienced family member or neighbor. It’s always easier when there are two people involved – one to comfort and soothe the cat, while the other person actually gives the pill. A helper will also provide moral support for you if you feel overwhelmed. When picking someone, make sure they know how to handle cats calmly and respectfully. With patience, love and help from a friend, how to pill a cat becomes much less stressful over time!
Conclusion
If you’re a cat owner, then there will come a time when you need to give your cat a pill. And while it may seem daunting, it’s actually not that difficult. With our guide, you’ll learn how to easily pill a cat so that they get the medication they need without any fuss. Plus, we’ll also provide some tips on how to make the process go even smoother. So if you’ve been wondering how to pill a cat, look no further than this ultimate guide.
