Pets Information

Pilling a Cat


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.

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

  


MORE RESOURCES:

CBS4 Prompts Change In Keys Pet Evacuation Policy
CBS 4, FL - 5 hours ago
KEY WEST (CBS4.com) ― A mandatory evacuation order means it's not safe to stay at home, but many pet owners refuse to leave without their furry friends. ...
Monroe County residents can take pets to FIU shelter Sun-Sentinel.com
Monroe County mayor: 'Not enough' residents leaving Keys Sun-Sentinel.com
all 4 news articles


Today's Zaman

Pets weather Gustav well
Detroit Free Press, United States - Sep 4, 2008
Early reconnaissance by rescuers allowed into storm-damaged areas indicates the vast majority of pets were evacuated with their owners, and thousands of ...
Tropical storm and disaster preparedness for pets Tri Parish Times
Keeping Your Pets Safe Before, During & After The Storm Local10.com
Gustav Pet Evacuations Show Katrina Lessons Learned National Geographic
Cay Compass - Daytona Beach News-Journal
all 444 news articles


Group gets pets out for storm
The Times-Picayune - NOLA.com, LA - 18 hours ago
The Best Friends Rapid Response Team provided 3000 pet carriers when it learned some animals were turned away from buses because they didn't have their own ...


Holiday Travel with your Pets
Corsavoo.com, France - 1 hour ago
Traveling with your pets for the holidays can be a pleasant experience if you are prepared for it. Otherwise it can turn into a nightmare due to the care ...


Pets of the week
Tri Valley Herald, CA - 17 hours ago
Pets are available for adoption at the Tri-City Animal Shelter, run by the city of Fremont, and at the nonprofit Furry Friends Rescue showcases. ...


Secure Pets Before You Batten Down the Hatches ; SCKC Offers Clinics
RedOrbit, TX - 4 hours ago
Each year hundreds of pets are lost during natural disasters, and many are never reunited with their owners in the aftermath due to lack of proper ...


Why I would brave a hurricane for my pets
York Daily Record, PA - 1 hour ago
But the evacuees this time included some of the area's finest residents, the pets. In fact, a reporter revealed a shocker. Many people were only leaving ...


Pedigree pets dumped in record numbers
Times Online, UK - Sep 6, 2008
Pedigree cats are also among the pets needing new homes as owners face rising living costs. Anne Power, a co-ordinator for the Ragdoll Rehome Group, ...


Keeping Track of Pets
Washington Post, United States - Sep 5, 2008
Dear Heloise: Thanks for telling pet owners to put COLLARS WITH LICENSES for identification on their pets. Please also continue to recommend microchips. ...


Examiner.com

A poor economy affects pets, too
Examiner.com - 12 hours ago
Faced with foreclosures or even just the rising cost of living, some families are finding it difficult to care for their pets. "It's not good," Madeline ...

pets - Google News

Article List | Index | Site Map
All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.