So the veterinarian says Tiger needs these pills and your cat glowers at you with jaws clamped shut? Take command-- you can do it with these instructions.
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: 2 minutes
Here's How:
- Wrap the cat securely in a large towel baby-bunting style, so that only his head protrudes.
- Hold the cat securely in your left (non-dominant) arm, while gently grasping the sides of his cheeks with your left thumb and forefinger.
- Tilt his head back until his mouth drops open slightly.
- While holding his head securely in this position, grasp the pill with your right thumb and forefinger.
- With the little finger of your right hand, press down on Tiger's bottom front teeth to open his mouth so you can see inside.
- The 'target' is the v-shaped area at the back of his throat. Flick the pill at the target or reach in and place it there with your fingers.
- Withdraw your fingers and hold your patient's mouth closed for a moment.
- Blow gently in the cat's face or stroke his throat softly until you can see and feel a swallowing motion.
- Let go and watch him a few moments to make sure he doesn't spit out the pill.
- Follow Step 8 with a half-dropper of sodium free chicken broth, diluted with water, or plain water. If you've ever tried to "swallow dry," you'll appreciate some of your cat's inherant dislike for pilling.
- If he does spit out the pill after step 9, retrieve it and practice steps 1 through 9 until you both get it right. If the pill becomes too soft for handling, discard it and use a new pill
- Congratulate yourself and praise your cat. A treat is also in order, unless it's meal time.
Tips:
- If Tiger is uncooperative, enlist a helper to hold him while you concentrate on administering the pill.
- For very tiny pills, try one of the plastic 'pill-shooters' available from your veterinarian, for step 7.
- Do not grind pills and mix with cat food unless your veterinarian gives the okay. (It's hard to ensure the cat gets a full dosage.)
- Unless otherwise instructed, try to give the pill before mealtime, so that he will have a reward to look forward to. Otherwise, give him a special treat reserved for these occasions.
What You Need
- Towel for wrapping
- small container of broth
- plastic eye-dropper
