Pet of the Week
These are two kitties that were saved, brought to a cat shelter, and adopted out to fine homes!
It's easy to get your pet into the Pet of the Week feature - here is what you need to do!
Giving A Cat A Pill – Yeah, Right!
I love this article. It is so civilized. It gives you some step by step instructions on how to easily give a cat a pill. It reminds me of the phrase, “it is as easy as giving a tiger an enema.” Just imagine that for a second, and then let’s review the techniques for giving kitty her pill.
The author suggests sitting on the floor with your legs in a V position and placing the cat between your legs, facing outward. That will work well – the first time. After you have done it once, kitty will know immediately you are going to shove your hand down her throat and your first step will be amended.
1. Catch kitty.
Then you gently hold the cat’s head in your hand (left hand if you are right handed) and place your hands as described in the article. You place the pill and a few tips are given to make it easier and to prevent choking or aspiration.
Interesting. The article describes the method to put the pill in the cat’s mouth and then goes directly to “when you are finished.” What about what happens between the time of putting the pill in her mouth and being finished – somewhere in there, kitty has to swallow the pill.
That’s the catch. Swallowing the pill.
So I am revising step two as well.
2. Hold kitty’s head in your left hand and put the pill on the back of her tongue with your right hand. Immediately move right hand to front of kitty’s mouth to catch pill as it comes back out. Be prepared to catch curve balls; kitty can toss that pill amazingly far.
3. Repeat beginning of step two and remembering not to clamp kitty’s mouth shut should she aspirate the pill, be prepared for a firm latching of kitty’s teeth into your flesh. Pill will be expelled shortly thereafter. Proceed to step four.
4. Reposition kitty between your knees and sit further down on the back of your feet this time so kitty won’t escape from underneath you again and anchor all of her claws in your backside and up your back as she accomplishes her escape. Hold kitty’s head gently and attempt to replace pill. Catch pill again.
The article also suggests coating the pill with some butter to make it slide down the cat’s throat easier. Thus rule five.
5. Reposition kitty yet again, and with left hand gently hold kitty’s head. Try to avoid getting butter in kitty’s eyes; even though butter should only be on right hand, kitty has fought fairly hard to avoid the pill-giving position and butter is now on both hands. Gently place pill at back of throat… no, first pick up the pill again that popped out of your hand because you have butter on your hand and can’t hold the pill. After repeated attempts to get pill, butter and kitty’s mouth in one place simultaneously, wipe butter off of kitty’s head and paws and whatever you do, do not say the word “bath” at this time.
The article suggests a drink of water or a treat after giving your cat her medication. This can help soothe hurt feelings and will also leave a more pleasant taste in your cat’s mouth, thus making the event less traumatic. Rule six now is applicable.
6. After kitty’s pill has been ingested by kitty (yeah, right!) offer kitty a drink of water or a snack to foster peace and goodwill. Kitty may not feel a need for this as her mouth may be full of the taste of your blood from chomping you firmly during steps four and five.
I added another rule. It is an important one to remember.
7. After butter, blood, and spat out pills are cleaned up and kitty has stopped glaring at you from under the sofa, remember that love is hard come by, she will forgive you and it really is all worth while. And do read the article – it is a good one and has some techniques that will make giving your tiger her enema… I mean, your kitty her pill, easier.
