Need to Give a Cat a PILL? Here's How I Do It!

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Almost every cat parent goes through this at some time or another: you take your cat to the vet and the vet gives you a bottle of pills. Pills that you somehow has to make sure your cat swallows every day (sometimes TWICE a day). Cats like taking pills about as much as they like riding a roller coaster, and pilling one can cause stress, chaos, and serious scratching - not fun for cat OR parent!
There are "pill pocket" treats designed to hide a pill inside a tasty, chicken-flavored lump that will fool the cat into eating it. But if your cat is like my cat Sing Sing, he will quickly learn to lick off the coating and leave the pill unswallowed. At this point, there is no choice but to roll up your sleeves and PILL THAT CAT.
In this video, I will show you step by step, using the magic of slow-motion, how I give Sing Sing his thyroid pills twice a day. He does not make this easy. He growls and hisses and wriggles and tries to claw me. But I have figured out a way to straddle him with my knees keeping my hands free to pry open his mouth and pop the pill in there. The trick, among several tricks I will show you, is to launch that pill to the furthest back of the throat as you can. Then wait a few seconds while holding the cat to ensure he has indeed swallowed the pill before releasing him to hate you for the next hour. A treat (a real one, no pill disguised in it) is an important gesture to help your cat not hate you TOO bad. (I'm kidding about the hate part, Sing Sing forgets my assault on him within a few minutes of being pilled. He probably hates me for a total of about 25 seconds).
I hope this video will take some of the fear and trauma out of pilling your cat. Just be bold, don't be afraid to hold them firmly, and try to do it one motion. The longer the struggle, the harder it is to get the pill down. I know, easier said than done, but if it's any encouragement, I think pilling your cat becomes easier the more you do it.
So get out there my fellow cat lovers, and PILL THAT CAT!
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Опубликовано:

19 ноя 2021

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Комментарии : 68

@AdamChadwick 2 года назад

This video will help a lot of people. I did this twice a day for 6 years. It’s easiest if done while the cat is already eating. Also much easier if the cat is eating on a table or higher surface than the floor. Didn’t use oil. Just waited for a few bites to go down, and when he paused, I’d have the pill in one hand between my forefinger & thumb. I’d gently touch the back corner of his mouth with my “pill fingers”, he’d open his mouth slightly, and I popped it onto the back of his tongue while using my other hand to support the back of his head when he tried to back his mouth away. He’d swallow and continue eating. Pill goes down fast because he’s already in the act of swallowing food. The KEY to his calm was his confidence in knowing that as soon as I popped the pill, I would walk away to give him space and let him finish his meal. Took 3 seconds and was very easy 99% of the time. The hard part was not being able to be away from home for more than 12 hours at a time… for years. But my boy was easily worth everything. R.I.P. Cody.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Great tips Adam, thank you! I like the idea of getting the cat up on a table or counter. And some people are not able to get down on the floor at all. And I totally agree that the key is also to be calm and fast, so the cat knows that the pilling process will be over soon and he can go on with his day. I think you had it down perfect! Your kitty Cody was lucky to have such a loving daddy. Thanks for the comment!

@nunosoares2329 2 года назад

Sorry for your loss Adam :-(

@AdamChadwick 2 года назад

@@nunosoares2329 Thank you so much, Nuno.

@roxannesmaldone3465 8 месяцев назад

I like this. MY cat has to take 2 capsules. He has to 2 times a day.I tried Pill pockets, Opening the capsule. I used to do this a couple years ago.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

"I just love giving my cat his pill!"said no one EVER. Pilling a cat can be stressful for both cat and parent, and when Sing Sing was recently put on medicine for his thyroid (twice a day), I knew getting the pill down him would be a challenge. Here's how I manage to get him to swallow the pill without too much drama. Hope this is helpful to you! Let me know if you have any tips on giving your cat medicine in the comments.

@leovolont 2 года назад

Hi Caroline, (yeah this is my OTHER Channel, where I do my Content. But I often miss your new videos by forgetting my Real Name Channel). But, the Worst Thing that ever happened to me because of a Vet Prescription was that I was told to put Antibiotic Cream on Old Foxxy Buddy's ear after his Pilllow Ear Operation. HE HATED THAT. But what REALLY made it bad was that I would take him to the Sofa to do it, which RUINED the Sofa as his normal Quality Time Spot. Yeah, NEVER POISON ANY WELLS! So, yeah, Caroline, an important part of your advice with the pills is just doing it on the Floor, so that the cats don't develop any Negative Associations with any of their favorite old spots.

@adrianmorris3772 2 года назад

This made me laugh. You're so good and it's great to see your videos back regularly again. Lol. Greetings as usual from Adrian across the water in England.🤣😹🐈😸

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Hi Adrian! It's always a clown show in this house, with Sing Sing being the bonafide clown leader. Hope you're doing great too! xoxo Caroline

@magicalbooknerd Год назад

Omg thank you! I’ve been trying unsuccessfully for days, but this method finally worked!!

@nunosoares2329 2 года назад

Hi Caroline. I hope you and your family are doing well. I admire your devotion when it comes to fostering cats big and small especially pilling which isn't easy to do I'm sure. You are truly special. All the best with Sing Sing by the way :-)

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Awww, Hi Nuno, Thank you so much! It's really nice to hear from you, I know you have been watching Kitten School for many years and I appreciate it. Hope everything is great with you and your loved ones (two and four legged)! xoxox Caroline

@rachelblitz3396 Год назад

My fur baby is 15 years old with early stage kidney disease and now has a bladder infection. I listened to my vet's advice on how to give a pill and watched different videos. I have multiple sclerosis and I cannot kneel to the ground so easily. Giving a pill is so traumatizing for both sides. Your video of using oil is truly faster, easier and less traumatizing! I do not have omega-3 so I used my organic avocado oil and quickly and gently blew in her nose while holding her head up which caused her to swallow. I will ask my vet about getting omega-3. Because of your oil ideal she did not need to chew on the pill which is very bitter. Thank you for your video!

@kathylgoedert 4 месяца назад

I can't get on the floor either due to hip issues. We'll, maybe I could, but then getting up again?? This should be fun...

@bmnlt4960 Год назад

Just wanna express my heartfelt thanks to you for such a wonderful idea of giving a pill to cats! I have successfully done so without any help to my Mickkie who is highly uncooperative when it comes to swallowing pills. Thank you so much 🙏🙏🙏

@candicemirisha912 2 года назад

Sing sing is gorgeous

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

We think so too, he is our Frank Sinatra cat because of his blue eyes and oh so cool demeanor. He's king of the house! Thanks for the comment xoxox

@Jenjen-qc5eq 2 года назад

I can't believe that Sing-Sing worked how to avoid taking his meds, cute and smart...lol UK

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Oh Sing Sing is a stinker! He will fight me and hiss and carry on, but I always win. He is quite a cat. Thanks for the comment!!

@jeanneremedio3921 2 года назад

I've had similar experiences. Many things work...for about 3 days! If you're just starting out, it might be worth giving just the "carrier" (empty pill pocket or ball of pill paste) like a treat for a few days before actually adding the pill. This could establish the "carrier" as a trusted treat. You might get a few more days before your cat realizes there's a suspicious center which can be spit out. If your cat likes tuna, using oil from a can of tuna might help. Another option is to request the medication as a transdermal application. It could be worth it if your cat needs it 2x day for the rest of her life and if pilling continues to be difficult. The medication comes in a pen as metered doses. The medication is applied to the inside of the ear on the same schedule, alternating ears.

@maxinesmith2193 11 месяцев назад

Thank you for this .. also wrapping cat gently in a towel could help I saw on a video .. I’m in UK and we will try your method with the towel wrapping as we have a very large 15 month old Female Maincoon lol .. who is ignoring atm after we had to administer her meds again .., one more week to go

@giovannibez9509 Год назад

Thanks for the video

@EB-vz1ob 2 месяца назад

The pill pockets worked for us for about a year and a half. Not anymore. He won't even take an empty pill pocket. Now we've had to resort to pilling him.

@paulo1149 11 месяцев назад

Good vid. I have a pill injector, which can also be used for liquids, and I highly recommend it. It wasn't expensive at all. It places the pill way back in the cat's mouth. But your technique is great to know for a backup, in case the injector is misplaced or unavailable. Sing Sing looks exactly like a much younger version of by beloved Truffy, whom I am trying to get over a severe health crisis.

@kaitykaity 2 года назад

I used this method except I used the pill pockets instead of the oil. Cat had an infection, 14 days if antibiotics and we were done.

@Remyboyandhismommy 2 года назад

Been there done that with hiding pills in pill pockets and in their food. I will try the holding them between my knees but have a feeling it will be like wrestling a wild cat lol especially with Lily because she is hard to catch. She doesn't like being picked up.

@nikgy Год назад

i you can pill cat your hand you can also pill them with the pilling tool, if you cannot pill cat (uncooperative) the pilling tool also won't work

@kathymcnally5253 11 месяцев назад

This chick is fabulous

@lauraeaton5414 2 года назад

One eoisode of Dr Pol instructed the person to blow softly in the nise and face after the pill is in their mouth. He demonstrated this to a cat's owner on that epusode. My cat hates when i give her flea preventitive or ear meds.

@bribg423 2 года назад

Very helpful advice for giving pills to cats! Thank you, Caroline! 🤗

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

You are SO welcome!!!

@crystalgall1284 9 месяцев назад

How can you do that if a kitty keeps biting at the fingers and syringe

@Sundial1k Месяц назад

Try shaving some cheddar cheese then molding a very small bit of it around the pill(s). Our cats love the cheese it is a BIG treat for any of them. We shave the cheese because it makes it easier for your fingers to warm, soften and mold around the pill; otherwise it is crumbly and takes longer to mold. Our very picky cat (whom also gets 2x daily thyroid pill) even will eat it when we pick up the pill crumbs from the cutting board with the cheese.

@chenchina4577 2 года назад

I've found a pill syringe with the soft rubber tip for holding a pill is the best solution for this dilemma.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

I have seen these! So you think it works well? I will have to try it. Thanks for the comment!

@lindaterrell5535 2 года назад

@@KittenSchool It’s the only way to get pills into some cats. My hyperthyroid cat is so bad, I had to go to a transdermal cream rubbed on his inner ear. And he fights that.

@edtechbymeera 2 года назад

how about powdering the pill and mixing it with the cats wet food?

@CP-fe6jr Год назад

How about using cod liver oil or salmon oil instead of a neutral oil?

@crystalheart9 10 месяцев назад

That's what my kitty does. I put her pill in a treat and she chews on the treat and spits out the pills. I don't know how she does it. I like your method. I tried the pill popper and it was a huge failure. Thanks for the tips.

@MrEdwardCollins Год назад

You make it look so easy. I'm sure it does get easier... but right now I just can't seem to do it. I usually can't get my cat to open his mouth. When I AM able to get him to open his mouth for a moment, then I'm not quite ready with the pill... or it falls from my fingers in the act of trying to place it inside... and then, of course, the opportunity is gone. I've tried crushing it (my vets says these pills can be crushed) and mixing it in with his food... but he always seems to know that I've done that. Apparently he can smell it even after it's crushed... and once he smells it, that's it... he refuses to eat that food. I've tried pill poppers. I've also tried greasing the pills with butter and turning it into a little "kitty treat." I even carved out a tiny notch in a very small chunk of a hotdog, and hidden the pill in the dog, somewhat creating my own "pill popper" treat. But no matter how I try to hide it in his food, he just always seems to be able to sniff it out and that's it. I'm getting frustrated. I've watched a dozen or so videos now, on different methods on how to get your cat to take a pill, the last of which led me to this one, and so far none of the wonderful suggestions have worked for me. He loves those Temptations kitty treats. I wish there was a way to carve out a treat and hide a pill in there. (There isn't... I've tried.) Anyway, thank you for taking the time to create this video.

@annej.1262 9 месяцев назад

Your situation sounds exactly like mine. I have a very stubborn cat. You mentioned the temptations treats that your cat loves; I did see a suggestion somewhere of kind of pasting the pill to a temptation treat with a bit of pill pocket material. I haven't tried that but thought I would pass it along to you. Good luck.

@1940limited 2 года назад

Does Sing-Sing have get pilled twice a day forever? That's a tall order. We've been reasonably successful in pilling our cats over the years, when necessary, but it's never much fun. Your recommendation about oil is a good idea as well as the pill holding treats. I'll keep all that in mind but hopefully won't have to put it to the test any time soon. All kitties are healthy at the moment.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Hi there! Sing Sing has a follow up for bloodwork soon to see how his thyroid is doing. But there's a chance that he will be on these meds long term. Glad to hear your kitties are all doing great! I feel lucky that mine are, too, since four of the six are 15 years or older!

@1940limited 2 года назад

@@KittenSchool That's amazing! We usually get about 15 years out of our cats and that's it. The longest we ever had one was 17-1/2 years. Thyroid problems in older cats are common. Good luck with everything.

@citrinehills7131 10 месяцев назад

I use REBOUND. I just couldn't shove the pill down her throat. she spits it up and chews on it and spill all contents. So now I just put the contents of the pill with abit of churu and abit of rebound probably 1/2 tsp of each and mix. She licks it all up! Success!

@LydiannaBella 2 года назад

My siamese is food obsessed. So I just put the pill in my hand with a few treats and he just eats it all 🤣🤷‍♀️

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Must be a siamese thing! Sing Sing is so food crazy he has to be put in the bedroom when we prepare the food or he'll try to just pop the counter!

@gaveintothedarkness 2 года назад

This worked for about 3 days before Sing Sing decided to throw up out of spite. Would putting the pill in cheese work?

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

I actually tried cheese first! It worked for about....3 days. Then I tried the Pill Pockets. He figured out how to lick around the pill!

@AnnetteKovar 2 года назад

I'd put cream cheese around pills for pup. Not sure if that'd work for cats, though!

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Hi Annette, I may just have to try this! Someone else recommended butter, which i think would be great, but cream cheese might stick to the pill better. Thanks for the excellent suggestion! Sing Sing would LOVE a bit of cream cheese xoxo

@TheReloader 2 года назад

What about crushing the pill and mixing it into their food?

@stevendaniel7555 2 года назад

That is how I do it. Crush the pill up into a super fine powder, then mix into wet food. It's the easiest way I have found.

@cricketycrickets3141 2 года назад

It depends on how offensive the taste of the pill is.

@shadowguard3578 2 года назад

You should ask the vet if the tablet can be crushed or if it needs to be swallowed whole. Some human tablets have a coating and should not be crushed. I’m not sure if this the same for cat medicine.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Most of my cats can sniff out meds in their food and refuse to eat it. I wish I could do this with Sing Sing, but he won't accept it. Even when the vet puts a chicken flavor in the meds, they ALWAYS know!

@agatsuma.ookami Год назад

My cat held the pill in her mouth after pretending to swallow. 🥴 They're so dang smart!

@rozbickel9376 Год назад

Mine too. I think she'd swallowed it, but I've learned to follow her around for a while looking for a spit out pill!

@ez8553 2 года назад

In our case soft butter did the trick

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Butter is an excellent option to vegetable oil. Sing Sing loves the taste of butter so much that he might actually look forward to getting a butter-coated pill! Thanks for the suggestion!

@marilynmylrea8853 8 месяцев назад

My cat likes butter too, so I've put a tiny bit around the pill and it worked. He also likes uncooked wild salmon and that sometimes works if the pill is pushed in and he eats it, yet I have to be sure he eats it.

@lindaterrell5535 2 года назад

I am mobility restricted. If I got on my knees, I wouldn’t be able to get up. Just catch the cat is a major challenge.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Hi Linda, you bring up a good point. Maybe you could put your cat on a table so that you don't have to get on the floor?

@trunuyorker7 2 года назад

The vet gave me a pill popper stick. You put the 💊 pill into the top opening and shoot it into the back of the cats mouth. It worked well until our Kitty passed away.

@KittenSchool 2 года назад

Hi there! I have seen the pill poppers before but never tried one. I might give it a go and see if it works better than my finger. Thanks for the comment!