How to Get Your Cat to Take Pills

How to Get Your Cat to Take Pills

Cats are typically very independent creatures. They’ll come to you when they feel like it and if they don’t want to do something, you’ll have trouble getting them to do it. This is especially true when trying to administer any kind of medication. If your cat needs their pill but won’t stop fighting you every step of the way, here are some tips to ease the situation.

Face medication time calmly. This may be difficult if you’ve reached the point of frustration with your cat, especially if the pill is needed to mitigate a dire health problem. However, staying calm is very important. If you’re exhibiting aggression while trying to administer the pill, your cat will associate pill-taking with fear and hostility, only making any future pill-administering experiences even more difficult for both cat and owner.

Disguise the pill in food. This is a common tactic that is used with dogs and other animals. Disguising pills in food can be more difficult with cats since their mouths and throats are on the smaller side, but if the pill is tiny enough to be disguised within a treat and doesn’t have a bitter taste, your problem may be solved. Ask your vet whether your cat’s pill can be chewed or if it needs to be taken whole, as this can change your options somewhat.

Talk to your vet about alternative options. Depending on your cat’s needs, there may be a liquid or even suppository form of the required medication. If pills are the only option for your cat’s condition, your vet might recommend a pill gun, or “piller”. This is a syringe-like device designed to force a pill far down a cat’s throat quickly enough that they aren’t able to regurgitate it. Your vet will know exactly what your cat needs, what you need to do to get the pills down, and whether or not an alternative type of medication is available.

Consider quality of life. Pills are used to treat a variety of illnesses. Depending on the severity of your cat’s condition, you could ultimately make the choice not to regularly medicate. Getting your cat to take their pill can be a daily battle that’s not only frustrating to you as the owner—it’s harmful to the wellbeing of your cat. Prolonged stressors like forced medication could make your previously calm and friendly cat aggressive and withdrawn. The choice not to medicate is definitely a viable one and could end up winning in the debate against benefits of treatment.