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Pilling a cat can be a
“nightmarish” experience. Cats don’t want something
pushed down their throats, and they’ll fight with all
their might to prevent it. In fact, it’s amazing how
powerful their small bodies can be. Here are some ways to
make the pilling process easier and less stressful – for
both you and your cat.
The easiest way of pilling
a cat is to crush the pill into a powder by using mortor
& pestle or by putting the pill between two spoons.
Then mix the powder with a small amount of wet food
(preferably a preservative free, healthy wet food). If
your cat usually eats dry food, she will probably view the
wet food as a treat and eat it up.
If the medication is a
capsule, just pull the capsule apart, sprinkle the
contents on the wet food, & mix, & serve.
If your cat won’t eat the
wet food that contains the pill or if she is too ill to
eat, you can get a “pill gun”, also called a “pet
piller”, from your veterinarian. This is a plastic rod
with little rubber cups on the end that hold the pill
until a plunger is pressed. It’s best to get a long gun
with a soft tip.
Your vet can show you how
to use the pill gun, but here are some basic instructions.
Getting your cat’s mouth open is going to be the most
difficult part. First, be sure the pill is in a handy
place. You can put your cat on a bookshelf with her bottom
in a corner or you can put her on your lap firmly braced.
Have your cat facing to the right if you’re right
handed, & vice versa. With your left hand, grip your
cat at the cheekbones, putting your palm at the top of her
head. Keeping your finger off the trigger, with your right
hand, insert the pill gun until the pill is positioned
over the tongue & open throat. Then pull the trigger
& withdraw the gun quickly. Be sure to give your cat a
treat directly after giving the pill.
If you don’t feel
comfortable using a pill gun, you can try giving the pill
by hand. Extend your cat’s head backwards just far
enough so that her nose is pointing towards the ceiling.
At this point, most cats will slightly open their mouths.
With the little finger or ring finger of the hand holding
the pill, open the bottom jaw a little more. You may need
to hold her top jaw with your other hand while doing this.
Aim straight and lightly throw the pill or drop it so that
it hits beyond the hump in her tongue. (Be sure to drop or
lightly throw the pill rather than shoving it down so that
your cat is not as likely to gag and so that you lessen
your chance of getting bitten.) Most cats will then
instinctively swallow the pill.
In case none of these
“pilling” strategies work, as a last resort try to
find a compounding pharmacy, and have them make flavored
liquid or gel out of the medication.
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About
The Author
Deena
Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor
of natural pet products Helps pet owners
create healthy, happy pets. To receive
FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter,
go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com
deecaruso@cox.net
Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665 |
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