Where is the root of a cat's tongue? How to give a pill to a cat, a super effective method

It would seem that what could be simpler than giving a pill to a kitten? But in reality, even experienced purring owners find it difficult to carry out such manipulation with their pet. Little fluffies desperately break out and scratch, as soon as they suspect something is wrong. Today we will learn together how to properly give a pill to a kitten using three methods. Go!

When the owner has a question: how to give pills to kittens, most often, the first thing that comes to mind is to deceive the animal and put the pill in a piece of sausage or meat. Imagine your surprise when you discover that the sausage has been eaten and the unfortunate pill is lying on the floor. The fact is that cats’ sense of smell is so strong that they can easily smell the medicine and immediately spit it out.

In most cases, owners are faced with the problem of how to give tablets to kittens when it becomes necessary to deworm the animal (prevention against worms). In such a situation, you can ask your veterinarian which liquid product can replace the tablets. There are many anthelmintic drugs for kittens in the form of a suspension, which is much easier and more convenient to dose and give to a kitten than tablets. The same suspensions are also available for adult cats.

If there is no choice, and it is impossible to replace the tablet drug, well, get ready... In fact, learning to give tablets to kittens is not difficult; the key to success in this matter is dexterity and experience. Here are a few ways and little tricks that will help make this procedure easier:

The main ways to give deworming tablets to a cat

Method 1

Irritation of the root of a cat's tongue causes a swallowing reflex.
You need to open the animal's mouth. The medicine for worms should be placed as close to the root of the tongue as possible. Then close your pet’s mouth and hold it for a few seconds. It is important not to press on the base of the tongue, as this may cause backfire.

Method 2

To give your cat deworming medicine, you need to sit comfortably on your knees. Place the animal with its back to itself, so that it does not have the physical ability to escape.

With one hand, tilt the cat's head up, lightly pressing on the lower jaw. The cat will open its mouth. All that remains is to push the medicine as close to the root of the tongue as possible.

Having closed the mouth, be sure to make stroking movements along the pet’s throat from top to bottom. This way the swallowing movement is stimulated. After this, it is worth making sure that he really swallowed the anthelmintic.

Method 3

Before you start giving your cat deworming medicine, you need to sit him on your lap facing you. A distraction will be the stroking movements of the abdomen. At this time, the pet relaxes, and the desire to slip out of the owner’s hands disappears.

With your left hand, the cat's head is thrown back, at the same time the jaw is unclenched by applying firm pressure on the base of the jaw. With your right hand, the tablet is pushed closer to the root of the tongue. To stimulate the swallowing reflex, you need to carry out movements directed from top to bottom along the animal’s throat. After the cat makes a swallowing movement, it is necessary to check for the presence of the tablet in the mouth.

Method 4

Using a peeler. A piller is a design that looks like a syringe. With its help, you can easily and quickly give your cat medicine. To use this device to feed a deworming tablet, you need to:

Place the medicine securely in the rubber tip.
After opening the cat's mouth, place the tip with the medicine as close to the root of the tongue as possible.
By confidently pressing the piller piston, push the drug into the animal’s mouth.
Get the peeler.
Close the cat's mouth.
Stimulate the swallowing reflex by stroking the throat.

Method 5

If there is no original device at home, and the drug against worms needs to be introduced into the body, the faster the better, then it can be easily done at home.

Take a syringe. The tablet must match the diameter of the syringe circumference. Typically a 2 ml syringe is used.
Carefully cut off the edge, preferably without jagged edges.
Place the medicine inside the syringe.
Open the cat’s mouth and, placing the “piller” closer to the root of the tongue, squeeze the medicine into his mouth.

The view of animal psychologists

Animal psychologists say that the cat must be given the opportunity to swallow the medicine on its own. Many preparations contain herbs that the animal may well like. When it goes away, you can use the methods described below.

If, nevertheless, the owner has no other choice but to use force, then the person’s actions must be accurate, confident and well-functioning. The cat must be sure that the person is stronger than her, and he knows what he is doing. A calm owner will convey his calmness to the pet. If he is stressed, then even before the unpleasant procedure begins, his anxiety will be transmitted to the pet.

Animal psychology claims that a cat has 3 types of actions during danger:

Resistance. She actively resists the process: she bites and scratches.
If the first phase does not bring the expected result to the animal, then it proceeds to the second phase: the cat freezes, pretends to be dead, lifeless and sick.
The next phase is running away.

The medicine should be given in the second phase of the animal’s behavior. During this period, the cat will allow its mouth to open. After he has been given medicines, you need to caress your pet and offer him something tasty. All activities must be carried out in a good mood; under no circumstances should you raise your voice at the animal. A cat understands perfectly well when they love it and do not mean harm to it.

Of course, you can turn to a veterinarian for help; he can give the cat an anti-worm tablet in his office. But all cat owners should have the ability to properly feed an animal an anthelmintic.

How to give the suspension

Giving a suspension to a cat is no easier than giving tablets, since in no case does it want to swallow what a caring owner offers it. She begins to salivate excessively. On the face you get a whole beard from the medicine.

To give your cat or kitten a suspension, you can try mixing it with your pet’s favorite food: pate, minced meat, sour cream. This must be done with a small amount of food in order to accurately control the dose of the drug eaten.
Everyone knows that cats are very clean animals. The anti-worm suspension can be spread on your pet’s paws. He will diligently begin to lick them. This way he will lick the entire dose of the drug and save both himself and the owner’s nerves.

Ways to give medicine to a cat

There are several ways to give medicine to your cat. But before you study them, find out from your veterinarian in which part of the digestive system the tablet should act if it is coated. Because the shell serves as a guarantee that the medicine will begin to act in the most suitable environment. It probably makes sense to replace the drug with an injectable form.

Dissolve the tablet in liquid

If the doctor gives the go-ahead to crush the tablet, then it can be easily mixed with water: usually a 2 ml syringe is used. The drug does not dissolve completely. The resulting suspension is drawn up with a syringe without a needle, shaken and the cat is captured in any convenient way. The tip of the syringe is inserted into the pet's mouth and placed behind the cheek, smoothly pouring the medicine into the mouth. If the stream is sharp, the cat will run away without swallowing the entire dose. Therefore, the syringe plunger is pressed smoothly, releasing the drug drop by drop.

If the tablet is bitter, it will cause excessive salivation, which makes it impossible to determine the amount of the drug swallowed.

Powder tablet

To give a tablet to a cat in powder form, first check with your veterinarian whether this method is suitable for this drug. If suitable, then the solid pill is turned into powder with a blunt object.

All that remains is to mix the powder with food and offer it to the cat. The main thing here is that all the food is eaten, otherwise the therapeutic effect will not be achieved.

Hide the pill in the food

You can also hide a whole small tablet in the food. For such an insidious plan, frozen meatballs, soft cheeses, fresh cottage cheese are suitable: anything that you can put a tablet in and roll into a ball.

In order for the cat to safely bite through and swallow the “treat,” the ball with the medicine must be small. In this case, the pussy won’t have to chew it much. The owner’s task is to monitor the process of eating, as the tablet may fall out of the cat’s mouth.

Place the tablet on the base of your tongue

To give medicine this way, the cat is placed on its back, depriving it of the chance to escape. The pill is squeezed with the fingers of the right hand if the owner is right-handed. The left hand lies on the cat's head and throws it up. In this case, you need to press on the base of the jaw. When the cat opens its mouth, the tablet is pushed as far as possible onto the root of the tongue, the mouth is closed and the neck is stroked towards the chest. As soon as the pussy makes a swallowing movement, the jaws unclench and see if the medication is swallowed.

You can also give the tablet by sitting the cat on the table with its back to you.

The procedure may not work out the first time, so it makes sense to practice on food: the animal is given pieces of dry food in this way.

Sometimes the pet is turned with its muzzle towards you and placed on your lap, stroking its abdomen. One hand is inserted under the cat’s head and tilted back, the jaws are unclenched with the thumb, and the pill is pushed as deep into the mouth as possible with the other hand. They also stroke the throat and wait for the swallowing movement. To prevent the animal from harming its owner with its claws using this method, its hind legs are covered with a thick blanket, or a retaining bag is used.

How to give a pill to a kitten

To give medicine to a kitten

, requires less effort than an adult animal, but the approach should be gentle. It’s good if someone from the family helps for the first time.

The kitten is held, wrapped in a towel, and lightly pressed on the corners of its mouth, lifting its lips. The liquid medication is slowly poured into the mouth with a syringe without a needle, and the tablet medication is pushed closer to the root of the tongue.

Be sure to wait until the medicine is swallowed! Even a small kitten is quite capable of pretending to swallow a pill and then spitting it out around the corner.

When in doubt, you can always watch a video in which you can clearly see all the methods on how to give medications to cats in the form of tablets.

Oral administration of drugs

Oral administration of drugs is the administration of a drug orally through the mouth (per os). This method of administration is the simplest and most common way of taking medications.

ADVANTAGES:

Simple and easy to use.

The owner of the animal can independently administer medications to his pets prescribed by a veterinarian.

A diverse range of dosage forms.

For internal use, medications are produced in the form of pills, dragees, tablets, powders, capsules, microcapsules, suspensions, syrups, solutions, emulsions, infusions.

Indispensable in cases where a direct effect on the digestive tract is required.

Taking antacid medications – for the treatment of gastric or duodenal ulcers; the use of enzymatic preparations - in case of impaired secretion of the digestive glands, enveloping agents for gastritis and peptic ulcers.

FLAWS:

Not suitable for emergency treatment.

The effect of the drug develops in approximately 20–40 minutes, since the administered drug is absorbed for a long time and only then enters the bloodstream.

There are some difficulties in creating and maintaining a certain concentration of a drug in the blood.

Part of the drug is destroyed in the digestive tract or liver of the animal.

Some drugs cause significant irritation of the digestive tract.

Practically ineffective for certain species of animals.

Cats have bitter, salty, sour, tart, etc. causes increased salivation (salivation), due to which part of the drug comes out.

The medicine is administered by holding the upper jaw with one hand, opening the animal's mouth with the other and placing the tablet on the root of the tongue, then closing the jaws. Then with a syringe or NEEDLESS

water is poured into the cheek (between the canines and premolars) with a syringe to activate swallowing movements and better passage of the medicine through the esophagus.

Tablet forms of drugs, if given without water, can stick to the wall of the pharynx or esophagus, causing necrosis of the mucous membrane in this place.

The powder is poured onto the animal’s tongue and after a few minutes is given to drink.

Before giving liquid medicines: suspensions, syrups, solutions, emulsions, infusions, the animal’s head is raised up and the medicine is poured into the cheek, waiting for the swallowing movement.

Some

The medications can be mixed with your pet’s favorite treat. However, this method is not suitable for all medications, since some substances of the drug, when interacting with food, become little or not at all active. In addition, mixing medicine into food can lead to incorrect dosage, since a sick animal may not eat enough. Some animals, in particular cats and rodents, are very selective in their habits and may completely refuse to eat or drink if they feel a change in the taste of food or water.

Chinchillas, being inquisitive, tend to take pills hidden in raisins.

Sometimes veterinarians need to prescribe medications. If the pet is light, then a small part of the tablet is prescribed, for example 1/20, 1/50, etc. The owners have a question: how to give such a dose? It is simply unrealistic to separate it dry.

In the event that the tablet cannot be divided into parts determined by the dose, it should be dissolved with water and your pet should be given the required amount, which is calculated by YOUR DOCTOR.

Such drugs are given to animals WITHOUT NEEDLES

syringe. The veterinarian, when prescribing the drug, will tell you its dose and frequency, and explain how and at what time of day it should be used for the best therapeutic or preventive effect.

The owner is required to understand and understand the doctor’s explanations and carry out the appointments pedantically; if you have questions, you can call the clinic, where they will answer all your questions.

How to give your cat a pill

Ideally, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian about whether the tablet can be mixed with food. If you can’t talk to a doctor, you can try to find such information on the Internet (but talking to a specialist is preferable). The fact is that not every pill can be masked with food. But if there are no such restrictions, then you should choose the cat’s favorite treat, for example, a little raw minced veal fillet, where you need to add a powdered tablet. This is the easiest and most enjoyable way to feed the animal the drug necessary for treatment.

It is only important that the amount of food mixed with the medicine is very small, because the cat may not eat a large portion of food right away;

You can give a kitten a tablet like this: crush the medicine, mix it with a small amount of sour cream, and then smear it on the baby’s nose. The pet, feeling sour cream on its nose, will lick it along with the crushed tablet;

It is enough just to give the cat a pill if it resists, using a regular small-volume syringe without a needle.

To do this, the medicine needs to be turned into crumbs (for this procedure you can use a paper napkin and a teaspoon or dessert spoon), and then mixed in a small cup with water, and then absorb the liquid with a syringe. You don’t need to use a lot of water, the main thing is for the tablet to dissolve.

To pour the medicine into the cat's mouth, the owner needs to sit down, taking the animal on his lap. With your left hand, you need to fix the pet's head and insert your index and thumb into the animal's mouth (so that the cat opens it slightly). With your right hand you will need to take a spitz filled with liquid with a tablet and carefully introduce its contents into the cat’s mouth. Then you will have to close your pet’s mouth, slightly lifting his head up so that he swallows the injected drug. But such a procedure can again be done if the tablet can be crushed and mixed with liquid;

How can you give a pill to a cat if you can’t crush it or mix it with liquid or food? For example, it is recommended to swallow whole tablets or capsules coated with a protective coating, which should reach the digestive organs intact. In this case, you need to put the cat on some height (table, sofa, etc.), and then sit next to it. Using the elbow of your left hand, you need to fix the cat’s body, and with the fingers of the same hand, open the cat’s mouth. With your right hand you need to place the prepared tablet on the root of the cat’s tongue as quickly as possible, and then remove your fingers from the animal’s mouth. Then you will need to lift the cat's head and lightly massage the area of its pharynx from top to bottom (this action stimulates the swallowing movement). It is advisable to keep the animal in sight for several minutes, as some particularly cunning pets may spit out tablets; The above method of administering a whole tablet is quite unpleasant for both the cat and its owner. To give your cat a deworming pill with minimal hassle, you can purchase a special Pet Piller syringe (or simply a tablet dispenser) at a veterinary pharmacy or pet store - a device that uses a piston to squeeze a tablet into the cat’s mouth, which is attached to the tip of the tablet dispenser. The owner will need to secure the cat and open its mouth slightly, and then simply activate the Pet Piller according to the principle of a regular syringe. But even here you will have to watch the animal for a while so that it does not spit out the tablet.

How to get a cat to swallow a pill

Many readers are concerned about the question of how to properly give medications to cats, for example, anti-worm medications in tablet form. It's a little more difficult, but nothing is impossible.

Often, owners simply do not know how to open the cat's mouth to give medicine, and act incorrectly. In fact, it is much easier to perform this action in relation to a cat than, for example, in relation to a person whose jaws do not protrude forward.

So, grab the animal’s head from behind with your hand, insert your thumb and forefinger between the lips at the corners of the jaw and lightly press on them. The cat's mouth will open slightly, and at this moment you need to quickly place the tablet on the root of the tongue - if you hit exactly this spot, the swallowing reflex will instantly work. Immediately after this, lift the cat’s head and stroke its neck from top to bottom, without allowing it to open its mouth.

For those who find this quite difficult or the cat actively resists, you can use an auxiliary tool - an introducer, or simply a “pill dispenser”. This device resembles a syringe with a plunger and a soft tip with several slits.

A tablet is placed inside the tip, and the piston pushes it into the animal’s mouth. To make it easier to swallow, you can add a little water to the tip along with the pill.

A few useful tricks

Before giving pills to cats, be sure to remember a few important points. Do not rush to resort to violence - try to prevent your pet from seeing the pill prematurely. A finger placed between his front teeth and light but confident pressure on the lower jaw will help open the furry patient's mouth. With your other hand, hold your pet by the withers so that he behaves calmer.

When a cat licks its lips, it means it has finished eating, so do not let your pet go until it has licked its lips. Please note that sometimes cunning people manage to hide the drug in their mouth, and once free, the cat can spit it out without a twinge of conscience.

This is interesting! Place the bitter medicine in the refrigerator for a while - this will slightly neutralize the unpleasant taste.

What additional tools might be useful?

To the question “How to give pills to a cat correctly?” The answer is - with the help of special tools. On the shelves of pet stores you can see a special syringe (introducer). It is designed to hold a tablet or capsule while freeing your hand. Moreover, at the right moment, using pressure, like a syringe, it will place the medicine directly on the root of your pet’s tongue. There is no need to open the cat's mouth wide.

Finally, it is worth adding that each cat needs its own individual approach, taking into account its habits and personality traits. Don’t despair and don’t give up if any of the suggested ways to give a pill to your pet doesn’t work - after trying all of them, you will certainly achieve the desired result! And most importantly, be extremely attentive, friendly and careful with your pet, because animals perfectly sense the mood of the owner and model their behavior in accordance with it. Health to you and your four-legged friends!

Article information

This article was co-authored by. Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and the care of companion animals. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery. He has been working at the same animal clinic in his hometown for over 20 years.

Category: Cats

In other languages:

Español: darle una pastilla a un gato, Português: Dar Comprimido para um Gato, Italiano: Dare una Pillola a un Gatto, Deutsch: Einer Katze eine Tablette verabreichen, Français: faire avaler un comprimé à un chat, 中文: 给猫喂药, Bahasa Indonesia: Memberi Pil pada Kucing, Nederlands: Een kat een pilletje geven, العربية: إعطاء قطة حبة دواء, Tiếng Việt: Cho Mèo Uống thuốc, 한국어: 고양이에게 약주는 방법, ไทย: ป้อนยาให้แมว, 日本語:猫に薬を飲ませる

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How to give a cat a pill correctly - popular methods

It is important to reassure your pet that he is safe without letting him twitch. To do this, you can wrap the cat in a blanket or large terry towel - this will provide:

immobilization of the animal;
protecting the owner from the claws and teeth that the cat will use to escape;
lack of slipping, especially if the owners decide to give the tablet by placing the cat on a table or other smooth surface

The easiest way is to ask one of your relatives or friends to help: when one person holds the cat, the second gives him a pill. You can pick up a pet in your arms, just like a child, placing its head in the crook of the elbow joint.

If a person tries to carry out the procedure on his own, you can kneel down and place the cat wrapped in a towel on the floor between your legs, while holding the animal with your legs.

The pet should swallow the tablet without twitching, but you can give him some water to make it easier for him to swallow it.

How to hide a pill

Before using this method, check with your veterinarian to see if the tablet can be dissolved in water and added to food, or if it can be crushed into powder. If the answer is yes, it will be easier to treat your pet.

Tablet in food. If the medicine can be ground into powder, the easiest way is to mix the crushed medicine with sour cream in a small amount and offer it to the cat. If the animal refuses, gradually spread the resulting mixture onto the pet’s nose - this way the cat will lick the medicine, but this will take a lot of time. The crushed drug can also be mixed with your cat’s favorite dish.
Dissolution in water. Use only when you are sure that the tablet will completely dissolve.
The use of special “pockets” for medications are treats that have holes for placing pills in them. The cat will eat the tasty treat along with the tablet.

What to do if your cat spits out a pill

There are several recommendations that will help ensure that the animal has swallowed the medicine:

it is necessary to place the tablet deep in the mouth, at the very root of the tongue;
after laying, you need to hold the cat, making sure that it swallows;
If the cat does not swallow the drug, you can lift his chin and lightly stroke his neck in the direction of his chest - this will trigger a swallowing reflex.

How to give a cat a pill - a radical method

If you need to give the whole tablet, your steps are as follows:

take the cat in your arms, stroke it, calm it down;
press the relaxed pet to your lap;
simultaneously hold the cat’s body with one hand and his head with your palm;
open the pet's mouth with the thumb of the same hand;
Place the tablet with your free hand in the cat's mouth. Place it on the side or at the root of your tongue;
close the animal's jaw and wait for the pet to swallow the pill.

Calm down or simply release the poor sufferer. It's good if you have an assistant who holds the cat, and you put the medicine in his mouth. You can give your cat tablets that can be diluted with water using a syringe. First remove the needle from the syringe.

What the owner should remember

to study these instructions and remove the tablet from the blister or bottle
(and also, if necessary, divide it into several parts)
outside the presence of the cat
. Animals are cunning creatures, and therefore they will probably rush to hide in a secluded place as soon as they realize from the crunch of a cardboard package or foil blister that the owner intends to give them a pill;
Often the owners themselves are to blame for the fact that cats are afraid to take pills
because they are excessively nervous and noisy. There is no need to explain to the cat in a raised voice that the pill needs to be taken urgently, because the pet will still not understand why this procedure is needed. Under no circumstances should you hit a cat if it tries to escape. On the contrary, you should act as calmly as possible, talking to the animal in a quiet voice;
It happens that some cats are so intolerant of taking pills that they can easily injure the owner. In this case, it is advisable to call someone close to you for help
. While the owner administers the medication, an assistant will hold the cat wrapped in a towel (or other cloth);
Even a calm and affectionate cat can bite its owner
when he gives her a pill. In such a case, it is better to prepare cotton wool and hydrogen peroxide in advance so that immediately after the bite you can treat the wound, first rinsing it with running water;
A cat that has taken a pill deserves praise and even a treat
. Just don’t feed her a lot immediately after swallowing the medicine; it’s better to wait at least half an hour;
There are animals that never agree to swallow pills
. They may drool and vomit profusely, hide under the bed, and even jump out of windows. If the situation with taking pills is so acute, it is better for the owner to consult with a veterinarian about the form of the drug. There are drugs that go on sale not only in the form of tablets, but also in the form of injections for administration (a subcutaneous or intramuscular injection can be given by the owner himself, and an intravenous injection must be given by a specialist), suspensions, sprays, suppositories, and powders. Perhaps the cat will easily swallow the drug in liquid form or will calmly tolerate the injection, so is it better not to torment it with tablets?

How to give a cat a pill

Animal medications are available in tablet, powder or liquid form, as well as capsules. You should consult with your veterinarian which form of the drug is best for your beloved pet, taking into account its character and disposition. However, in some situations it is necessary to give the cat exactly the tablet, without dissolving it in food or water, or crushing it into powder.

This procedure is best done while sitting. The cat should be carefully placed on your lap, without ceasing to stroke it, and held tightly to you. Using two fingers, lightly press on the upper jaw and insert your fingers into your mouth. The animal will involuntarily open its mouth, and at this time you need to place the tablet directly on the root of the tongue. Hold the muzzle for a few minutes until the cat swallows the tablet. At this time, it is advisable to blow on the cat’s nose while stroking its throat. The reflex will work, and the cat will swallow the medicine.

To avoid injury, an active and wayward cat should be kept alone with one of the household members. If in this case it is not possible to give the cat a pill, it should be tightly wrapped in a towel or blanket, leaving only the head. Laying you down on your knees again, repeat the procedure.

There is a special device that is sold in many veterinary clinics and pharmacies - a tablet dispenser. It makes it easier to stuff the pill into the cat. Instead, you can use a more budget-friendly option - a syringe with a cut off spout. The principle of operation of this device is simple: the tablet is slightly fixed, and by pressing the piston it is squeezed out.

In this case, giving a pill to a cat is even easier: put it in a pill dispenser or syringe, sit the cat with its back to you, lift its head, open its mouth and place the pill as close to the root of the tongue as possible. If it hits the middle, the cat will spit it out. Don’t worry that the tablet will get stuck in your throat; a cat’s throat muscles are designed in such a way that it cannot choke. With some skill, you can throw in a tablet without any additional equipment.

As a rule, there are no problems with vitamins - manufacturers specially make them with a taste that is pleasant for cats.

How to give pills to a cat correctly

Remember the basic rule - DO NO HARM, so never self-medicate; only a specialist, after examining your pet, can make a diagnosis and suggest the appropriate medicine. And we have no choice - whether our four-legged friend wants it or not, but he will have to accept what the doctor prescribed. The safest and most convenient way to take medications is orally (swallowing), which is accompanied by some inconveniences, therefore, to make it easier and correct, our specialists give the following advice.

You can invite your cat to try eating voluntarily, because manufacturers make medicines for animals with herbs that they like so much in their wild environment.

If the cat sniffs the medicine and moves away, you will have to use one of the following methods:

Lift and place the cat on a surface in a sitting or standing position, holding the tablet at the ready. Place one hand on the cat's head, grasping the corners of the mouth with your thumb and forefinger, and pull the head up so that the nose points up. With the fingers of your other hand (in which the tablet prepared for administration is located), press on the cat’s lips so that the mouth opens. Place the tablet on the root of the tongue, quickly close the muzzle, holding it in this position until the cat swallows the tablet. Remember that success is ensured only if the cat's head is tilted upward the entire time. The swallowing procedure can be made easier by lubricating the tablet with oil (but only if it does not have a protective coating). Even large tablets slip inside easily.
The tablet can be crushed into powder and poured into the food, but in this case it is necessary to ensure that it is all eaten, otherwise the dose of medicine prescribed by the veterinarian will be violated.
Sometimes medications can be diluted with water and given to the animal as a liquid.

Do not forget that when grinding a tablet that has a protective shell, it is impossible to ensure normal absorption of the medicine in the intestine, because the protective shell serves precisely to ensure that, when it dissolves, it acts precisely in that part of the intestine where it is best absorbed.

Most difficulties when taking the tablet arise from its incorrect location on the root of the tongue. If it is located at the tip, the cat will spit it out, and if it is offset from the axis to the side, then it will bite it. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work out the first time. Take a short pause and, if the cat is calm, repeat the procedure again, without repeating mistakes and following the recommendations described above.

If the tablets need to be given several times a day, and the cat has already understood what will be done to him and is not being given in an amicable way, wrap him in a cotton blanket so that only his head sticks out and hold him well. Do everything quickly and calmly, without doubting the correctness of your actions. Feeling your confidence, he will stop resisting, realizing that you are bigger and stronger than him.

In feline psychology, there are three phases of action when threatened:

Resistance (biting, scratching); if this tactic is ineffective.
If the 1st phase is ineffective, he freezes, pretends to be dead, sick.
Active escape.

If there is resistance to your actions, wait until the 2nd phase - only at this moment can the cat open its mouth without fear for itself. If you missed the 2nd phase, let the animal come to its senses and after a while (it will be evident from the behavior) try again. And most importantly, let the animals know that you love them and do not wish them harm. Carry out the procedures without swearing or cruelty, and your pets will forgive you everything.

The easiest way to give potions, tinctures, etc. is by squirting them into your pet's throat using a pipette or syringe. When taking the liquid medicine, hold your head in the same way as if you were taking a pill, then insert the tip of the pipette between the cat's back teeth and inject the medicine. If the cat does not open its mouth wide enough, the liquid is injected onto the back of the tongue. To prevent your cat from spitting it out, hold your cat's muzzle up, squirt no more than 1 ml at a time (about a quarter of a teaspoon), and allow your cat to swallow in between to prevent her from choking.

Remember that the ability to give a pill to a cat is a necessary skill for all animal owners, not only those who are sick, but also for the prevention of diseases (vitaminosis, helminthiasis). Don’t be nervous yourself when you carry out this procedure, your excitement is transmitted to the animal, let him know by stroking that you love him, pity him, and he will definitely respond to you with understanding.

/ give the cat liquid medicine

Devices to make it easier to give medications

To facilitate the task of how to properly give a pill to a cat, specially designed pillers (tablet dispensers), which can be purchased at a specialized pet store and veterinary pharmacy, help. These devices are similar in principle to a conventional syringe - the pill is pushed through using a piston. The piller has convenient rings on the sides for threading your fingers through and securely fixing the device in your hand.

The advantage of using a tablet dispenser is that it can be used to insert tablets of different diameters. This device allows you to deliver the pill to the very root of the tongue, which is not always possible with the manual method.

You can quickly and easily administer medication to your pet using a piller by following certain rules:

securely secure the prescribed tablet in the special rubber tip of the device;

fix the animal (it is best to take the cat by the withers, open the mouth with your finger);

Place the tablet dispenser on the root of the tongue in the open mouth;

push the pill out by pressing the plunger;

remove the piller and close the pet’s mouth;

Stimulate the cat's swallowing movement by stroking the throat;

As soon as the pet licks its nose, it can be released.

A device similar to an industrial peeler can be made independently. To do this, you need a syringe suitable for the size of the tablet. If the pill is small, then insulin will do. You need to cut off the lower part of the syringe, to which the needle is attached, and the device is ready for use.

How to give a pill to a baby

Small furry creatures often need to be given pills, such as anti-parasite pills or medications prescribed by a veterinarian. Knowing how to properly give a pill to a cat, similar techniques can be applied to small kittens.

In this case, the dosage should be especially strictly observed, since the kittens are light in weight. A large pill can get stuck in the throat and scratch the mucous membrane. If the tablet is large, then it must be divided into 2 - 3 parts and given in several doses.

It is important to develop a pleasant association in the baby with the actions of the owner. Every time after successfully swallowing a pill, the kitten needs to be praised, caressed, and be sure to treat it with something tasty.

Many young animals, after several procedures, stop showing violent resistance and calmly tolerate this kind of manipulation.

The owner of a domestic cat often has to give one or another medicine in tablet form. These include antiparasitic agents, probiotics, vitamins, and numerous medications.

Therefore, it is important to know the basic methods and techniques on how to quickly and easily give a pill to a cat. Skill and experience in this manipulation will greatly facilitate caring for your pet.

Psychological moment

If the tablet needs to be given once, there will most likely be no problems. Difficulties begin when the cat is prescribed a course of treatment, and the procedure has to be repeated daily.

The cat will quite quickly (from the first time) develop a panic reflex at the sight of a package with the drug, which will make each subsequent administration more and more difficult.

To avoid putting your animal under constant stress, hide the pills away and try to do the manipulations quickly. If the drug allows you to combine the tablet with food, then treat your cat with tasty food at the end. Let salivation replace the fearful reflex.

What do you need to know before giving your cat a pill?

Even a healthy animal must be given a drug that destroys internal parasites – helminths – at least once every six months. Most anthelmintics are available in tablet form, and some owners prefer to go to a veterinary clinic to have an experienced specialist examine the cat and give the animal the tablet in the required dosage.

But, if we are talking about treating an animal, then the pet may need to give pills for several days in a row, and possibly several times a day, so a trip to the animal hospital will become a problem. Therefore, the owner needs to get better at this matter - feeding pills to a cat.

One-time practice is enough to confidently give the animal a pill if necessary.

Here are some tips from veterinarians that will help you carry out the procedure quickly and successfully:

Prepare the tablet in advance: remove it from the blister or other packaging, if necessary, separate the required part according to the dosage.
Determine where you will sit to administer the pill to the animal, and prepare a large towel or blanket to restrain the cat.
It is best to carry out the manipulation together, so that one person can hold the pet, the second can open the cat’s mouth and feed the medicine.
Check with your veterinarian in advance or read the product label to see if it can be mixed with water or food to make the process easier.

To securely hold your cat, you can use a retainer bag.

Difficulties in giving medications to a cat

It's hard to hold a cat.

The cat spits out the medicine.

The cat begins to drool profusely.

Here is an example: a cat does not resist much, but drools and partially spits out the medicine.

This is how a significant portion of cats will behave - and how can you give them something?

Content

The owner is always responsible for the health of his pet. Even if the animal is healthy, sometimes there are situations when you need to help the cat’s body a little. It’s great if the owner knows how to give the cat injections, but what if the treatment is carried out in the form of a pill? Not everyone can give a pill to a cat

. And this procedure needs to be done regularly, for example, antihistamine prophylaxis once every six months.

The first thing the owner will face is the active opposition of the four-legged animal itself. Well, cats don't like to swallow pills. If you just try to hold a cat, you can get painful wounds from the cat's claws. The prerequisite for such a conflict of interests for many is ignorance of how to properly give a pill to a cat. Therefore, the owner’s task is to study all the recommendations and treat the cat correctly.

Humorous step-by-step instructions “How to give a pill to a cat”

This instruction is provided for entertainment purposes only.

Take the cat and the pill. Hold your pet firmly and place the medicine in his mouth. Pick up the medicine from the floor, find the cat. Repeat the step 1 more time. It is better to throw away a dirty wet tablet. Get the cat out from under the sofa and try giving him a new pill

Carefully bandage your scratched hands. Call a friend to help you

A friend should hold the cat between his knees while sitting on the floor, while you give the animal a new pill. Find a stepladder and remove the fluffy one from the mezzanine. After placing the cat on its back on the sofa, place your friend on top so that only the head is visible from the pet. Place the tablet in your mouth. Rewind the bitten finger. Call the doctors to stitch up your friend's shoulder. Attach the medicine to a straw and repeat step 5. When you accidentally swallow a pill (that's right, not if, but when), drink it with a glass of water to get rid of the aftertaste. Remove the cat from the already torn curtains, and you can throw away the curtains themselves. Put the animal in the closet, pressing it with the door so that one head peeks out. Place a pencil or ruler in your mouth. Throw the tablet at the cat with a catapult using an elastic band. Carefully push the cabinet door back into place. Throw away the rest of your clothes and get new ones. To remove the cat from the tree, call the fire department. Lay the cat on his back, put a pill in his mouth, and throw another piece of meat on top. Fill everything with water. Head to the emergency room contemplating the benefits of keeping hamsters as pets.

How to give a cat a pill - use a blanket

What to do if your pet breaks out of your hands and cannot be restrained? Use a blanket or thick blanket to prevent your cat from scratching you. Catch the cat and wrap him tightly in a blanket. One of his heads should be visible from the blanket. Take the cat in your arms, and then everything goes according to the scheme described in the second paragraph. Do not immediately wrap your pet in a blanket. Place it on the sofa or windowsill, pet it and talk to the animal.

Give a stubborn cat the pill in neutral territory, not in places that are attractive to her. For example, take it out into the hallway or into the bathroom;
do not shout at a frightened pet. He's already scared;
Make sure your cat swallows the tablet. She will lick her lips if the medicine is eaten. Some cunning people hide the pill in their mouth, and when they are released, they spit it out on the floor;
Praise the cat for eating the pill and treat it to something tasty. This will calm the pet and he may remember that after a bitter pill he is given something tasty.

Remember that the success of this task depends on the character of the cat. There are calm animals and they take the pill without problems. And there are cats with bad temperaments and you will have to work hard to get the cat to swallow the medicine. If all else fails, take your pet to the veterinarian, he will certainly give the cat a pill.

Liquid medicines

Some drugs are released in the form of a suspension, which greatly simplifies administration. It is best to use the method described above, when the medicine is drawn into a syringe without a needle and injected into the cat's mouth.

Some manufacturers produce the medicine in a kit with a special device. In appearance it resembles the same syringe, but is a more convenient and thoughtful tool.

The situation is different when you need to give a cat a tablet not intended for animals. Then it is best to dissolve it in milk and give the cat a drink. This is especially true for large pills. It is difficult to disguise such a tablet in minced meat.

Disguise the pill with tasty food

It happens that the drug has such a strong taste that the cat begins to vomit foamy liquid. This reaction is normal, since the taste buds of cats are highly developed and prevent them from eating unpalatable food.

How to give liquid medicine to cats

With liquid medicines that are odorless and unpleasant in taste, proceed in the same way as tablets: they are mixed into your pets’ favorite food. If the drops have an unpleasant taste or have a strong odor, they will have to be poured into the cat’s mouth.

For this:

wrap it carefully but tightly with a towel;
open his mouth;
pour in medicine;
wait for swallowing.

The main rule is not to pour drops from a spoon into your cat. It will be difficult to give water to even an immobilized cat in this way. For liquid medications, it is convenient to use a medical syringe without a needle. Its use is quick and painless. This method is also suitable for treating a cat with tablets, which are first crushed and mixed with a small amount of water.

Do not overdo it with water; there should be no more than the amount that will fit in the syringe. It is better to measure this dose in advance, and then add the medicine crushed into powder. The resulting suspension is drawn into a syringe without a needle and acted in the manner described above. With your left hand you open the cat’s mouth, placing your fingers behind its toothless edge. Pour the medicine in gradually, dropwise, so that the cat has time to swallow and does not choke on the liquid. If the drug was bitter, the cat will begin to drool profusely.

If at the time of treatment you do not have a cloth on hand to swaddle your cat, try another method. The cat is lifted by the withers, and its mouth opens. You put the tablet deep in your mouth and close it with your hand. The cat has no options on how to swallow the medicine. Use a dropper to add water to his mouth. It’s good if you can roll the tablet into a ball of minced meat. Then the ingestion procedure will be stress-free.

Is it possible to feed medicine to a cat through food?

If the owner is unable to feed the medicine to the cat, he can try mixing it with food. Experts do not recommend mixing tablets and suspensions into cat food. Cats have a highly developed sense of smell, and medications often have an unpleasant odor.

The pet may refuse food if it smells the medicine, or leave some of the food in the bowl, as the taste of the food also changes. In this case, it will be unknown how much of the substance entered the stomach.

Some drugs must be given to animals on an empty stomach, so they are prohibited from being added to food. Capsules must not be opened, as their shell must dissolve only in the stomach or intestines. It is simply impossible to mix such products with food. If the instructions say that the medicine can be given with food, then you can use one of the following methods:

Dissolve the crushed tablet in water. Then give your pet the solution through a syringe. Grind the medicine into powder, mix with your favorite treat and feed the cat

It is important that the pet eats the entire dose of the drug, so the powder is added to a small portion of food. To do this, you can use wet food or give your pet about 20 g of pate. A small tablet can be inserted entirely into a piece of meat or minced meat, which will fit into the pet’s mouth in one go

In this case, feeding the cat will be forced, otherwise the owner will not be able to make sure that the pill is swallowed.

How to give a cat a tablet - mix it into food

Ask your veterinarian if you can mix the tablet into your food? Bitters and gelatin-coated preparations are not added to animal food. Another question for the veterinarian: can the tablet be dissolved in water? This makes the procedure easier. If you can give the medicine with food, your steps are as follows:

Crush the tablet and mix the powder with your cat treat. If it is a capsule, open it and pour the powder into the food, then stir. Open the capsule only with the permission of the veterinarian or if this is allowed in the instructions. But the cat may smell the medicine and not eat the food;
smear the cat’s nose with a mixture of sour cream and crushed tablets. The cat will lick this mixture;
Place a small tablet in a piece of sausage or other cat favorite product. But a cat can eat the sausage, but the medicine will remain.

The above method can only work if the tablet is small and without a strong odor. Cats have a stronger sense of smell than humans. The animal will recognize the filling of the product and refuse to eat it.

Helminths in cats, symptoms of helminthiasis

Cats, like all pets, are excellent targets for parasites. Most often, roundworms and tapeworms parasitize the body of domestic cats: roundworms, trematodes and tapeworms, toxocara, nematodes and the like. Some owners believe that if the cat does not leave the house, then infection cannot occur. This is fundamentally wrong. A cat can become infected with worms in the following ways:

Through dirty street shoes, shopping bags, the hands of the owner.
In contact with other animals going outside, such as a dog.
By eating contaminated foods (raw meat, fish, unwashed vegetables and fruits).
When infected with external parasites, for example, fleas.

Common worms in cats

Accordingly, even without existing signs of helminthiasis, it can be assumed that there are parasites in the animal’s body. Therefore, deworming treatment should be carried out prophylactically every three to four months throughout the cat’s life. If specific symptoms are present, antiparasitic treatment should be carried out immediately.

What parasites can you get from a cat?

How can you tell if a cat has worms?

The most accurate way to determine helminthiasis in cats is a laboratory stool test. This method allows not only to identify parasites, but also to accurately determine their type. Also, an infection is absolutely indicated by the presence of worms in the pet’s feces, which the owner can notice when removing the tray. There are also indirect signs indicating that it is time for anthelmintic treatment:

Digestive disorders, most often soft stools.
Itching in the anal area (the cat constantly licks under its tail and can “ride” on its butt).
Weight loss, lack of appetite.
Problems with the coat (loss of shine, hair loss, dishevelment).
The abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch.
Apathetic state of the cat, drowsiness, lethargy.

Itching in the anus makes the cat nervous and even aggressive

In small kittens, it is more difficult to determine helminths, since the above signs may not be present. But, if a kitten has a hard and swollen tummy, which even to the eye seems disproportionately large, the likelihood of infecting the baby with worms is very high.

Squamous cell carcinoma in a cat

When surgically treating carcinoma in situ, it is usually enough to make a small indentation from the borders of the tumor to completely remove it. If the lesions are multiple in nature or located in places difficult to access for surgical treatment, then imiquimod (Vartotsid, Keravot) can be used - this is an immunomodulator with antiviral activity. Imiquimod is used as a 5% cream to treat actinic keratoses, basal cell carcinoma and genital warts in humans.

In one study, imiquimod was used to treat Bowen's disease or carcinoma in situ in 12 cats. Treatment was carried out every other day or three times a week (the same effect was observed). All animals showed a significant response to treatment, but 9 animals developed new lesions over time and also responded well to treatment with imiquimod. Of the side effects, three cats had peeling and erythema of the skin, and one had neutropenia and increased alkaline phosphatase activity, which disappeared after discontinuation of the drug (Gill VL. et. al., 2008).

Imiquimod was used to treat sun-induced squamous cell carcinoma of the auricle in one cat, similar to the treatment of solar keratoses in humans (Peters-Kennedy K. et. al., 2008; Samaro A. et. al., 2013). However, there are many treatment options for this form of SCC in cats that have some effectiveness: surgical resection, photodynamic therapy, cryodestruction, diathermy, plesiotherapy and radiation. The choice of treatment depends on the location of the tumor, the stage of the disease and the capabilities of the doctor, clinic and owners.

If the tumor is located in the area of the auricle, then surgery is usually the method of choice. To achieve adequate resection margins, it is recommended to make an indent of 1 cm from the tumor borders. For better wound healing, it is necessary to stitch the skin edges over the ear cartilage.

When the tumor is localized in the eyelid area, it is necessary to make an indentation of 4-5 mm from the visible edges of the tumor (Ayres SA. et. al., 2012). Removing a tumor in this location often requires plastic reconstruction of the eyelid defect, which is sometimes not the easiest task. In one study, when following the recommended resection margins in cats with SCC in the eyelid area, the median relapse-free period was 319 days (range 95 to 1510 days) (Schmidt K. et. al., 2005). In another study, 5 out of 6 animals had a disease-free period of more than 12 months (Hunt Gd. 2006).

The choice of treatment for tumors in the area of the nasal planum depends on the stage of disease of the primary tumor. Invasive tumors at stage T3 or T4 may respond well to treatment with radiation therapy. The most effective way to completely cure cancer in this area is to remove the tumor tissue with a minimum distance of 5 mm from the boundaries of the tumor, which means complete removal of the nasal planum. This operation leads to a cosmetic defect, but does not significantly impair the animal’s respiratory function or quality of life. More superficial tumors in stage Tis or T1-3 can be successfully treated with photodynamic therapy, cryosurgery, strontium-90 plesiotherapy and radiation (Bexfield NH., et. al. 2008; Buchholz J. et al., 2007; Lana SE. et al., 1997, Clarke RE. 1991; Jarrett RH. et. al., 2013; Goodfellow M. et al., 2006; Hammond GM. et al., 2007; Theon AP. et al., 1995; Melzer K et al., 2006).

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses a photosensitizer drug that is absorbed by tumor cells. The active substance is activated by a wave of light of a certain length, which leads to cell death with minimal impact on surrounding tissue. In one study, topical application of photosensitizing cream or 5-aminolevulinic acid resulted in 85% remission in 55 cats, relapse was observed in 51% of cases, and the disease-free period was 157 days (Bexfield NH., et. al. 2008). In another study of 61 cats with cutaneous SCC, PDT with an intravenous photosensitizer resulted in remission in 49% of animals (61% had 1-year disease control), and in another study of 18 cats there was 100% remission and 1-year disease control in 75% of animals. (Buchholz J. et al., 2007). The problem with photodynamic therapy is the limited penetration of the rays and this treatment is more suitable for superficial tumors (in all studies, the best result was obtained for superficial tumors).

Various results have been obtained with the use of cryosurgery, which is due to the difficulty of assessing the exact limits of the effect. The best results were obtained for superficial tumors (stages T1-T2). The disease-free period was 254 days in a study of 11 cats with SCC in the area of the nasal planum and auricles (Lana SE. et al., 1997). In another study of 102 cats, the median remission was 26.7 months, and tumors located in the area of the nasal planum and eyelids responded best to treatment (Clarke RE. 1991).

In one study from New Zealand, 34 cats with pathologies affecting less than 50% of the nasal planum were treated with curettage and diathermy for three cycles. 16 animals had actinic changes, 9 had carcinoma in situ and the rest had full-blown squamous cell carcinoma. In 94% of animals, the relapse-free period was more than a year (Jarrett RH. et. al., 2013).

Strontium-90 plesitherapy is a successful and cosmetic therapy for stage Tis, T1 and T2 squamous cell carcinoma, as beta rays penetrate only a few millimeters into the tissue. In one study, 13 of 15 cats had a median lifespan of 692 days, and two animals that did not respond to treatment responded after the second course (Goodfellow M. et al., 2006). In another study, 88% of animals responded to treatment with a median survival time of 1071 days (Hammond GM. et al., 2007).

Radiation therapy (orthovoltage, megavoltage, electron, and proton therapy) has also been studied in cats with nasal planum SCC with similar success. Cats with stage T1 RCC had an 85% chance of surviving more than 1 year, compared with animals with stage T3 disease, of which 45% of animals survived more than 1 year (Theon AP. et al., 1995). In another study, 16 of 17 cats with stage T1-2 disease had a median disease-free period of 414 days. In this study, electrons were used (10 fractions of 4.8 Gy over 5 days, total dose 48 Gy) (Melzer K. et al., 2006).

There are publications on the use of chemotherapy in cats with RCC, either alone or in combination with radiation therapy. In one study, animals with stage T2-T4 disease were treated with intratumoral carboplatin and orthovoltage therapy. All animals responded to treatment, and the relapse-free period was 52-562 days (4 of 6 animals were in remission at the time of writing (de Vos JP. et al., 2004). In another study, 7 out of 9 animals treated with electrochemotherapy and intratumoral bleomycin had remission for up to 3 years (Spugnini EP. et al., 2009).

Immunohistochemical studies have revealed the expression of receptors for COX-2 in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma cells, but its role is not fully understood (Bardagi M. et al., 2012).

other methods

In addition to the methods described, there are a number of methods. Helping to make it easier for your pet to take medications in tablet form.

Disguise

If your cat does not eat ready-made food, but natural food, then this method will come in handy. Use the most attractive food for your pet to disguise the pills. Foods with a sticky texture, such as a mince ball, work well.

Wrap the pill in minced meat and offer it to your cat. The size of the ball must be optimal so that the animal eats it in one go. If the cat starts picking at the food, then the tablet will be overboard in your desperate attempts.

Liquid method

To ensure that the tablet gets inside the cat, dissolve it in a small amount of water or warm milk. The mixture must be drawn into a syringe without a needle.

Having secured the cat using any convenient method, slightly tilt his head up, insert the tip of the syringe into the side of the mouth and slowly press the plunger. The liquid will flow down to the throat, and the animal will involuntarily swallow. Hold your pet tightly so that the mixture does not spill and the dosage of the drug is not violated.