I have a cat that is nearly ten years old who was in need of medication. He is a big stubborn old cat and very difficult to handle when he doesn't want to do something. The first tablet I tried to give him following the approved method of putting the tablet far to the back of the tongue and the holding the mouth closed. It didn't work. I retrieved the pill and tried hiding it in his food, and that didn't work.
Today I got the next pill out and crushed it (powdered it), and then I mixed it with cheese spread and smeared it on his foreleg and left him to it. A few minutes later I checked him. He had cleaned himself and in the process had taken the medication.
By Sharyl from Adelaide, Australia
My cat refuses to take a pill. I crushed the pill in her wet food that she loves, but she won't go near it. The vet only gave us one. After I already did this I learned that if it's bitter they won't eat it. So how can I fix this and get her to eat the food?
By Jackie D.
I had this problem with giving clindamycin to my cat. I rubbed a little butter on the small pill. Then I wrapped in a half teaspoon of tuna I had fixed for sandwiches (my cat loves it). Then I put it on the floor like it was a treat.
Store the tablet for as long as you can with the cat's kibble or treats -- long enough for it to take on the smell of the food. Serve the tablet along with the kibble/treats.
Does anyone know how to administer cat oral medication to a very uncooperative cat? I have tried the back corner of her mouth and all I get is claw marks from very self manicured sharp claws?
By Tanya Johnson from P. R., MN
Are you coming at him/her from behind? That's how I have to do it. Also, put on a coat or something that will protect your arms from attack. Hold the front legs with one hand and squirt with the other.
Be sure cat's nails are trimmed. Put on a light jacket (not your best one). Set the cat on a stool or something higher. Love and pet the cat; talk gently.
When my cat needed medication, I learned pretty quickly that none of the tips I'd read worked with him. Get canned cat food with gravy. Open the capsule or crush the pill and mix with the gravy.
Can't get your pet to take their vitamins? This morning, I had a flash of genius. Take a small handful of a favorite treat and add the vitamin pill.
Instead of taking the time to sit on my cat and shove his worm medicine down his throat time and time again, I did this.
For those of you that have a hard time giving a pill to your cat, this works beautifully.
My kitty won't take her pills. There is no way I can run her down, wrap her in a towel and force a pill down her throat twice a day.
Does anyone have any ideas on how to "pill" a difficult cat or get him to ingest Panacur powder (He has worms)? Our vet tried 6 times to "pill" the cat and was unsuccessful, so we tried the Panacur powder instead. He will not eat this either. We have tried mixing it with everything we know that he will eat, but 2 days later, that food is still there. I think he would rather starve.
Is the taste/smell strong? Maybe mix it with a little tuna juice? the strong smell may cover it, and what cat could resist?
Our cats worming medication comes as a paste in a disposable syringe (without the needle of course). I give her a cuddle and open her mouth and squirt it in - then she doesn't have a choice....
I forgot to add that you would have to crush the pill and mix it with margarine or something pastelike....
Like mentioned...you can mix it with tuna, milk, canned food, eggs etc...depending on what he likes. And if that doesn't work try a dropper...mix your powder with some milk or something he likes and use a dropper. That is like forcing him to take it...but if he won't take it on his own that might be your only hope. And you will be able to make sure he takes it and takes it all. Good Luck!
I agree with trying tuna. I've never known a cat to refuse it. They usually knock down who and whatever is in the way to get to it. Good luck!
I have found that by wrapping my cat securely in a blanket (make sure all his feet/claws are gently tucked inside a big towel) and holding him, a helper can often get a pill into him; but as long as you have the powder, try the tuna - be sure to add some of the tuna water.
My two cats had worms about 2 years ago. The vet wanted to charge me for visits and prescriptions. I just went to Walmart and got the deworming liquid for around $3.00 and it worked. You just hold the cat and put the medication in their mouth as the directions on the bottle say.
My cat is very difficult to give pills to also. I hide it in a little bit of flavored hairball remedy and he licks it right off of my finger. The pill is whole.
Use caution when giving over the counter medications. Worm medication is given to treat a SPECIFIC kind of worm. ( There are many different kinds) Try the tuna and if it doesn't work, get a helper , wrap the cat, pry his mouth open and put it as far back as you can.
Sounds like my cat! She won't take pills either...even crushed up in something. I tried yogurt, pet treats, canned cat food... she is too suspicious. I have heard of liquid meds for pets that can be tuna, or beef, or whatever, flavored,( the BANANA flavor my vet has does not appeal (haha) to my cat). I might search the web for a mail order site for next time my cat needs medicine. Wrapping my kitty up and force feeding her twice a day just isn't an option for me... I don't have a "helper". Vets need to be more inventive with kitty medicine!
I found a site called flavorx.com that will help you find a vet or pharmacy near you that will change the pills to a flavored liquid... I'm going to call the one near me tomorrow for prices etc so next time my cat needs a rx, I'll be prepared.
To get pills down a cat, use a straw to blow the pill to the back of their throat, then blow on their nose while holding their mouth together and their reflex action is to swallow the pill. Keeping the cat immobile in a towel is a good idea, along with petting and cuddling.
