Giving pills to cats is not one of the easiest tasks out there. Kittens are naturally more reserved animals and don’t really like being touched. Therefore, giving medicine in the mouth can make them stressed and even aggressive. In addition, the feline’s demanding palate is another thing that gets in the way of the process of giving a cat a pill. The famous technique of mixing the medicine in the pot (which works well with dogs) is not so successful with cats because they tend to notice anything that is different in the food. But don’t be scared: it is possible to learn how to give pills to cats and we explains it step by step below!
Step 1: Be patient with the cat pill
If you want to learn how to give pills to cats, you need to understand that patience is the keyword. Your kitty will probably not feel comfortable at first and may react to attempts with scratching. Therefore, it is essential to wait for a moment when the cat is calmer. The place where you are going to give your cat medicine should be quiet and comfortable for the cat. Play with him a little before and pet him to make him less aggressive. These precautions before giving your cat a pill will help make the process go smoother.
Step 2: The best way to immobilize a cat to give medicine is on its back
The best way to give medicine to a cat is with one more person helping you. So you can apply while the other holds. However, this is not always possible and we need to give a cat pill alone. In this case, the best way to immobilize a cat to give medicine is to place it on its back and pin it between your legs. That way you keep it safe and have your arms free to give your cat pills with ease.
Step 3: Before giving your cat medicine, get him used to being touched on the face
Cats are naturally more suspicious animals. Many do not like to be touched, especially on the face. So try to get your cat used to the touch before giving your cat medicine. Caress and massage the area close to the mouth until you realize that he is more comfortable with your touch. If you want to know how to give a pill to a wild cat , this step is essential to avoid aggression and make it easier to apply.
Step 4: To give a pill to a cat, hold the animal’s mouth and tilt its head
The best way to give a pill to a cat is to use the hand you use least to hold the cat’s head and your hand with the most strength to put the medicine down its throat. You should hold the corners of the animal’s mouth and tilt its head back a little, about 45º (this angle makes it easier for the pet to open its mouth with less effort and also helps to better visualize the throat).
Step 5: When giving medicine to a cat, place the pill in the back of the throat
With the cat’s mouth open, place the medicine inside. Try to fit as close to the throat as possible at the end of the tongue. This facilitates ingestion and prevents the cat from trying to put it out. You can give cat medicine using your own hands, but there is also a cat pill applicator that you can find at pet stores. A tip that facilitates the process of giving pills to a cat is to blow on its nose as soon as you put the medicine in its mouth. This makes the cat instinctively have a swallowing reflex, making it easier to swallow.
Step 6: After giving the pill to the cat, see if he really swallowed
After following the steps on how to give a pill to a cat, it is important to keep an eye on whether the animal has actually swallowed it. Keep an eye on it for a while, as some pets take a while to spit out the medicine. Also, see if the cat has licked its muzzle. This movement is an instinct carried out most of the time the cat has swallowed something. So, if you just gave the cat pills and he licked his nose, you can believe he ingested the medicine correctly.
Step 7: Another idea of how to give a pill to a cat is to knead it in wet food
A tip on how to give a pill to a wild cat or to those who really can’t swallow straight down their throat is to mix the medicine in the feed . For this, it is important to talk to the veterinarian to be sure if this technique can be done with your pet. The best way to give a cat pill mixed with food is to knead the medicine well and put it in wet food. If it is made with dry food, the medicine is more exposed and the kitty will probably not want to eat.
