How to medicate a cat...

[cjh27]

The greedy cat method

If you've found a way to coat your pill but the cat still isn't very keen on taking it it can help tremendously if you have a second cat in your house.

First call both cats and then feed the healthy one with 2-3 treats (flavoured pill pockets containing nothing) while holding the sick cat back with your other hand. Let the sick cat watch your other cat greedily scoff down the treat. Then feed the sick cat its pill pocket containing the medicine.

As it just watched the other cat eat the sick cat will be less suspicious of the pill pocket , especially if both cats usually think the other one's getting better food.

Christine

[ChiaZ]

My most usefull technique...

I usually just hold on to kahlua, open her mouth ... put the pilll in and just give a gentle blow in her face, it startles her a little bit so her reaction is to swallow, works like a charm and shes never spits the pill back out!

My vet actually recommended it

[Heidi n Q]

There are some things I can do to the cats when they are asleep...
When the Trio were kittens they had eye problems and needed an ointment put in. They hated it and would try to avoid me, so I began medicating them when they were asleep. I'd just take note of them and if their eye that needed to be medicated was accessible, I'd wash/dry my hands and put the ointment on one finger. Go to the sleeping kitty, maybe pet it lightly so I didn't startle it, you know ~ sort of wake it up a bit so it knows I'm there, then I'd quickly open the eye, dab the ointment in and just walk away. The kitten sits up, looking around and all it sees is me walking away: 'What? Who? Me? Nah! I didn't do anything, I'm just walkin' here....'

[liserini]

I like that butter idea, cats are due their worming tablets in a month so I'll remember that idea

[Auntie Crazy]

One more tip to throw on the pile.

Always give the cat something to eat and/or drink after you pill her - if the pill gets stuck it can melt against the inside of the throat and cause sores.

Great thread, Heidi!

[Heidi n Q]

You know...after I had a *nasty* tasting pill get stuck in MY throat, I now chase pills and liquid medicine with a dropper of water for the kitties. Very good idea you had to add it here.

*A hint for people ... my throat *burned* from that pill, but at a suggestion from someone, I slowly swallowed a large spoon of honey and it soothed my throat and took that burning/scratchy feeling away immediately.

[liserini]

I also treat my cats after they've had their treatments so they (hopefully) think it's a good thing they've just had a pill shoved down their throats!

[hoofmaiden]

I do one of two things.

(1) With some kitties I use this pill gun: LINK to soft-tip pill gun, which has served me well over the years. I like it b/c it is small and thin, and the tip is very soft. I put the pill into the tip, smear the whole tip w/ soft butter, and then ready the kitty (see below for preferred holding procedure). I open the mouth w/ left hand, and w/ right hand, put the gun in quickly so that the pill is at the back of the throat, pull the trigger, and close kitty's mouth. I tap the nose once w/ my finger, which usually results in swallowing.

OR

(2) I get a piece of not-too-soft butter -- a small chunk. I stick the pill into the butter and set it to the side so I can ready the kitty (see below for preferred holding procedure). I open the mouth w/ left hand, and press my right index finger to the butter. It will stick to my fingertip. I put my finger in so that the pill is at the back of the throat, quickly rub it off on the roof of the mouth, and close kitty's mouth. I tap the nose once w/ my finger, which usually results in swallowing.

READYING procedure: I like to do it on the floor, with the cat between my knees. I kneel on the floor and then sort of straddle the cat, pressing him back into my crotch. He can't back away this way, and my left hand keeps him from going forward. The key is to have the pill right there on your right side (left if you are lefthanded) so you can work QUICKLY. Delay is not your friend.

[liserini]

Originally Posted by hoofmaiden

READYING procedure: I like to do it on the floor, with the cat between my knees. I kneel on the floor and then sort of straddle the cat, pressing him back into my crotch. He can't back away this way, and my left hand keeps him from going forward. The key is to have the pill right there on your right side (left if you are lefthanded) so you can work QUICKLY. Delay is not your friend.

I do this, although I pretty much have to sit on some of mine!

[ladyshredder]

it's so simple..before u feed ur cat ( of course she's hungry), u put the pill in the food ( ex: meat , cheese or whatever) u hide it and she'll it, thats wht im doing every day and it's working !