How To How to Give Your Cat a Pill

Here's How:

1. Have pill ready before hand -- some pills cannot be split/crushed so you may want to check with the prescribing vet first to see if the pill can be split or crushed without causing a problem.
2. Butter is a good 'lubricant' to put on the pill before administration to ease in swallowing. Again, check with your vet to make sure that this is OK for the efficacy of the medication.
3. Have a large beach towel or blanket ready. Be sure it is a "tight knit" one -- loose fabric can entangle your cat, causing more trouble.
4. Get out some canned cat food or other cat treat to attract the cat's interest. (Have it nearby, don't offer it yet) Make sure that the medication can be given with food.
5. Stay releaxed, keep a positive outlook and talk in a soothing voice to your cat.
6. Gently wrap the towel or blanket around the cat's neck, above the shoulders. Swaddle the cat with the blanket gently but firmly and cover the rest of the body.
7. Snuggle the cat under your left arm, firmly against your body.
8. With your free hand, grab the pill.
9. With the hand holding the cat, gently pry open the mouth at the corners of the lips.
10. The pill should be placed in the open mouth, as far back as possible, where the back of the tongue forms a 'V'. Caution is advised: poking finger (and medication) in from the side of the mouth risks getting bit with large back teeth. If possible, poke from the front of the mouth; watchful of the large canine teeth.
11. Allow cat to close its mouth, keeping the cat snuggled close to your body, and a hand under the cat's chin to prevent the pill from being spit out.
12. Stroke the chin and neck area gently, watching for signs of swallowing.
13. You can also gently blow in the nostrils to induce swallowing.
14. Offer a small portion of a treat or canned food to divert the cat's attention from ejecting the pill and to ensure that the pill is indeed swallowed.

Tips:

1. Some vets and pharmacies specialize in making medications tasty to pets. If you are having difficulty with medication administration, ask if this would be a possibility for your pet.
2. Praise and reward the cat after the pill is administered, so the experience will be as positive as possible. Give the treat without the pill now and then, too.
3. Stand behind your cat, using your body to prevent the cat from wriggling free backwards through your arms.

What You Need:

• Sturdy blanket or towel
• Butter or margarine (if applicable)
• Medication ready and easy to reach
• Canned food or other tasty treat