We have had pages on PoC before about how to dose a cat with a pill, but this one is from the International Cat Care website and the video is very clear. I think PoC visitors from outside the UK will enjoy the very British accent of the lady demonstrating:
This is so very different from the vet in the second video on this page, who ties up a cat and makes a very long job it and even spits in the cat’s mouth.
That video still haunts me, I hate to see cats treated in such an undignified un-natural way and just hope no one has tried that method and strangled their cat or spat in their cat’s mouth, which is disgusting. The simple way it’s done in the UK video must be far better.
Our own two cats are very different to dose, both have been to the vets recently due to some unknown virus, but thankfully are much better and eating well now. Walter is good and takes any medication he has to have, without any bother at all, down the pills go and then it’s forgotten until next time.
I think it’s handy to know that when the cat licks his nose you know for sure the pill has gone down. Jozef is a different story, he does take his pills but you’d think he was being tortured, then he looks at us as if we’ve poisoned him, we can only think it’s the feral in him. Getting such as Katalax (for hairballs which he is prone to) into him, is a nightmare, we both end up covered in the stuff.
It’s the same at the vets though, Walter is very compliant, easily lifted out of the cat basket, as if he’s saying ok let’s get it over with. Jozef sets himself solid and is to pull out on his cushion, he looks at the vet as if he/she is an axe murderer and hides his face under my arm.
I always feel so awful that we have so much power over our cats, I just wish they knew we were doing it for their own sake.
Great article! For Mollie, I found adding the tinyest bit of butter easier for her to swallow. I use just enough to lightly coat the side of the pill going into her mouth first. Plus, she loves butter. Head up is the trick!
Thanks Tina, yes a bit of butter is a good idea, I’m so glad Mollie is getting some treatment now and doing well.
I’m thinking, I bet that vet who tied up the cat in the video is one who happily declaws cats, he looks the type who thinks cats don’t feel pain or fear.
I just saw the Video its amazing very helpful esp if doing it on your own. Very helpful and the lady voice is very calm it sure helps having it shown and explained.
Yes you are right Kylee, that lady is so calm and kind, there’s no need to be rough or to frighten cats is there!
Yea she explains it in such a great way. Its great to see a Visual display on if Ur by yourself or with two people.
Many Thanks, Four PawS Up! and a Hardy MEOW, MEOW! for posting a fabulous video on “How to Pill a Cat” Ruth !! I am so very glad I missed the previous video of the vet tying up the poor kitty to pill it, I would have nightmares forever! I posted this video on facebook, this needs to go viral!! i will continue to keep posting it. Ann ^.,.^__/ meow!
Thank you Ann, our vet’s practice posted it on their face book page and I thought it was the nicest one I’d ever seen on giving a cat a pill.
That video of the cat tied up still haunts me, can’t believe a vet would do something so unkind.
Good article, R.
And the video was exceptionally well done.
You had to remind me of that spitting vet, didn’t you?
I was just a little spark a minute ago.
Now I’m a flame!
lol sorry Dee, when I went to that page to get the link to put in this article and saw that vet’s smug face, I felt angry all over again too.
I think you are a long lost sister of mine and Babz 😉
This video is good, it’s so calm and sensible and it shows that there is no need for force or unkindness to be used when giving cats treatment in the shape of a tablet. I too was haunted by the image of that vet tying his cat to the wall and having given the tablet then spitting in the cats mouth, even thinking about it makes me feel sick. The method shown in this video is one we’ve used for a long time, to get the cat securely wedged between the knees and tip the head up and pop the pill in to the back of the throat, it’s over in seconds. It was nice to learn the little tip about if the cat licks his lips you know he has swallowed the pill, Walter has demonstrated that for us this week. So glad our precious boys are a lot better.
Me too Babz, it’s been a worrying time for us, just very happy our precious boyz are well and eating again 🙂
Imagine trying them up to shove pills down when they felt poorly, it doesn’t bear thinking about.
Good article. Giving Cats Pills is no easy job. I’ve managed to do it with some of them. Some accept it some dont cope. I think Ruth they do know that we are trying to help them. I remember Ozzie when he was in pain, I could see the look in his eyes like he knew we were helping him.