Cats | Pet Lover Blog

Pilling a cat can be a “nightmarish” experience. Cats don’t want something pushed down their throats, and they’ll fight with all their might to prevent it. In fact, it’s amazing how powerful their small bodies can be. Here are some ways to make the pilling process easier and less stressful - for both you and your cat.

The easiest way of pilling a cat is to crush the pill into a powder by using mortor & pestle or by putting the pill between two spoons. Then mix the powder with a small amount of wet food (preferably a preservative free, healthy wet food). If your cat usually eats dry food, she will probably view the wet food as a treat and eat it up.

If the medication is a capsule, just pull the capsule apart, sprinkle the contents on the wet food, & mix, & serve.

If your cat won’t eat the wet food that contains the pill or if she is too ill to eat, you can get a “pill gun”, also called a “pet piller”, from your veterinarian. This is a plastic rod with little rubber cups on the end that hold the pill until a plunger is pressed. It’s best to get a long gun with a soft tip.

Your vet can show you how to use the pill gun, but here are some basic instructions. Getting your cat’s mouth open is going to be the most difficult part. First, be sure the pill is in a handy place. You can put your cat on a bookshelf with her bottom in a corner or you can put her on your lap firmly braced. Have your cat facing to the right if you’re right handed, & vice versa. With your left hand, grip your cat at the cheekbones, putting your palm at the top of her head. Keeping your finger off the trigger, with your right hand, insert the pill gun until the pill is positioned over the tongue & open throat. Then pull the trigger & withdraw the gun quickly. Be sure to give your cat a treat directly after giving the pill.

If you don’t feel comfortable using a pill gun, you can try giving the pill by hand. Extend your cat’s head backwards just far enough so that her nose is pointing towards the ceiling. At this point, most cats will slightly open their mouths. With the little finger or ring finger of the hand holding the pill, open the bottom jaw a little more. You may need to hold her top jaw with your other hand while doing this. Aim straight and lightly throw the pill or drop it so that it hits beyond the hump in her tongue. (Be sure to drop or lightly throw the pill rather than shoving it down so that your cat is not as likely to gag and so that you lessen your chance of getting bitten.) Most cats will then instinctively swallow the pill.

In case none of these “pilling” strategies work, as a last resort try to find a compounding pharmacy, and have them make flavored liquid or gel out of the medication.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products
Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets.
To receive FREE “Pet Pointers” Newsletter, go to:
http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net
Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665

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Providing your feline friend with the right cat pet toy will make cat ownership more rewarding.

Many cats spend their days in home environments that are often lonely, and non-stimulating.

Without an outlet for pent-up mental and physical energy, some cats can become stressed, or even destructive. Luckily, you can help minimize these tendencies by enriching your cat’s environment with stimulating, fun toys designed to appeal to their outgoing, playful natures.

Before purchasing any cat pet toy be sure to first “pet-proof” your home by picking up or concealing objects that, if eaten, could cause medical problems.

These include:

-Paper clips, pins, or staples

-Rubber bands, string, or shoelaces

-Pens or pencils

-Wires or power cords

-All children’s toys

-Socks and pantyhose

-Jewelry

-Hardware

-Human foods or medications

In addition, be sure to remove any items of clothing (including shoes, belts and other delicious leather goods) that your cat might find tasty.

Though cats tend to amuse themselves better than do their canine cousins, they too need some regular mental and physical stimulation to stay happy. Also, without an outlet for their strong predatory instincts, most cats will become stressed or even destructive; it is essential, then, to provide your cat with a stimulating home environment that includes the cat toys.

Cats are not quite as destructive as dogs with regard to playthings. Nevertheless, care should be taken that a non-supervised cat pet toy not contain any easily-swallowed pieces such as buttons, feathers, strings or squeakers.

Often, cat owners find that their feline friend will treat simple household items as treasured toys. Balled-up wads of newspaper, cardboard boxes stuffed with shredded paper, ping-pong balls, or even the cardboard cores of paper towel rolls can often occupy hours of a cat’s time.

The following store-bought toys can also provide your cat with hours of fun. They include:

-Plastic or hard rubber balls, with or without noisemakers inside

-Small, soft, stuffed animals, with or without catnip inside

-Wind-up or battery-operated toys

-Teaser wands or laser pens (operated by you)

Be sure to rotate your cat pet toy (s) on a regular basis, to keep interest levels high. Also, keep them clean.

Don’t simply let your feline friend play with a cat pet toy all on its own; instead, participate in the action. Doing so will help bond you to your cat, and make playtime all the more fun. Whether it’s a game of fetch or a session with the teaser toy, your cat will soon come to see you as its greatest play buddy.

Providing your feline friend with a fun cat pet toy will help minimize problem behaviors and make cat ownership more rewarding.

Copyright 2005 Marc Deschamps

Marc Deschamps is the editor of Kitten Cat Magazine, a free online publication, where people can share their passion for cats and learn more about this extraordinary animal. Other articles on cat toys can be found at http://www.kitten-cat-magazine.com/cat-scratching-post.html

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