Learning About Vet Services

Sometimes, as a responsible cat parent, it's necessary to give your cat medications. Whether they're recovering from surgery or need medication to treat a disease, the prospect of getting your cat to take a pill can be nerve-wracking. If you're looking for an easier way to get your cat to take their medication, this guide can help:

Hide the Pill in a Popper

It can be very difficult to get a cat to take a pill, as just putting it in their mouth will often end with them spitting it out. Instead of trying to get them to take it directly, consider using pill popper treats to encourage your cat.

Pill popper treats can generally be found at any pet store and many veterinarian offices. The treats are soft and cup-shaped, perfect for slipping pills into. Once the pill is in the cup, you simply seal the end shut with your fingers, and give it to your cat. Cats generally find the treats very tasty, and will gladly munch them (and the pill inside).

However, there is an extra tip that can be helpful with these pill poppers. First of all, don't ignore your cat's amazing nose: their sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than yours, so they can detect the smell of the pill more easily than you. Hold the popper in one hand, and the pill your other hand, and then seal the popper with the hand that hasn't touched the pill. If you use your pill-holding hand to seal the treat, the treat may smell like medicine, and your cat may turn up their nose at the treat.

Use a Pill Gun

If your cat isn't fooled by the treats, or starts rejecting them after tasting the pills inside them, a pill gun may be helpful to you. A pill gun is basically like a syringe that you can insert the pill into the end of. Then you put the end of it in your cat's mouth, and press down on the plunger. It sends the pill into your cat's mouth with a bit more force than you could accomplish with your hands, and that helps it to get past the tongue and to go down your cat's throat.

Liquid Substitute

If all else fails, ask your veterinarian if the medication that's been prescribed to your cat is available in liquid form. Medication liquids are often flavored to be appealing to cats, and can also be easily hidden in wet food by simply mixing them into your cat's favorite meal. 

Getting your cat to take their medication may seem like an impossible task, but it can be done with these tips. Don't give up! Your kitty's health depends on you, and with a little practice, you'll be able to make these methods work for you. Contact a company such as Foothills Animal Hospital to learn more.