Administration of Pills, Tablets, and Capsules
Many drugs, licensed for use in cats, in pill, tablet, and capsule form have been specially formulated with palatability in mind. If the cat is at all suspicious, he is unlikely to eat the drug voluntarily, irrespective of how pleasant it may taste.
Can I train my cat to take tablets, pills, and capsules?
Yes, it is good foresight to train a kitten to accept pills, tablets, and capsules pushed down the throat. This is a useful technique to practice with a kitten using something pleasant like a vitamin tablet or a treat. (Do NOT give your cat chocolate for humans. Most animals love the sweet taste, but chocolate is often fatal to animals, especially cats, if consumed in a large quanity and/or over a period of time.)
My cat has never had a pill - how can I get them into him?
Most cats readily accept soft centered cat chocolates, even if they have never had them. Try giving him one or two and then give one with the pill pushed into the center. You may be successful. Make it a game and a lot of the problems will be solved. If necessary push the pill disguised in the cat chocolate down the throat.
You say push the tablets down the throat. How do I do this?
Remember that cats quickly learn when it is pill time and will vanish from sight if given the opportunity. First, have the medication at hand with the patient within reach.
If possible try to get someone to help you to hold the cat. Depending on his size you may find it more comfortable supporting him on your lap if small or held between your knees if larger. Most people find it easier to approach from the side or behind when giving pills.
Place one hand across the muzzle and insert a forefinger and the thumb gently into the space behind the canine teeth or fangs. Then gently press the thumb on to the roof of the cat's mouth. Provided you have sufficient strength and dexterity in your wrist to be able to cope with the cat's head movement, this strategy usually effectively prevents the shutting of the jaws on your fingers.
It is most important that the gentle pressure on the hard palate is not reduced; otherwise, the mouth will clamp shut.
With the pill in the other hand, it can then be pushed as far down the throat as possible. If the jaws are then quickly closed and the throat stroked, the pill is usually swallowed.
I understand there are certain pill pushers. Can these be used?
There are certain devices on the market to help getting pills into cats. Some of these are reasonably effective but none are 100%. However, it may be worth trying.
Can I disguise the pills with anything?
Yes, many people find that wrapping the tablet in butter or coating it in some favorite food or tidbit or using cat chocolate treats will often do the trick. It should be remembered that there are certain pills that you may have been directed to give on an empty stomach and care must then be exercised in the amount of food or tidbits allocated, although one or two treats to get the medication into the cat is preferable to no medication at all.
I get the tablet into the throat and follow all the instructions but frequently find it on the floor sometime later.
Even the most experienced animal handlers have had this happen. If you are not sure that the pill has been swallowed, dripping a little water into the mouth with the aid of a syringe usually ensures that it is swallowed. Alternatively, try gently holding the jaws shuts and then stroking the throat.