How to Give Cats Cranberry Pills

Cranberry extract is used to treat bacterial urinary infections in humans and dogs as it prevents the attachment of the E. coli bacteria to the bladder wall. However, cats with this problem do not have bacteria in their urine. Feline urinary tract infection is characterized by the formation of struvite crystals, which develop in alkaline urine. The high amount of vitamin C found in cranberry extract lowers the urinary pH in cats, dissolving the crystals. Therefore a cranberry pill may be a suitable treatment for your cat's urinary tract infection.

Things You'll Need

  • Cranberry pill
  • Towel
  • Pill gun
  • Pill pocket
  • Edible cat treat
  • Butter
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Instructions

  1. Using the Finger Method

    • 1

      Coat the pill in a bit of butter. It will make it easier to swallow.

    • 2

      Restrain your cat. Place it on your lap firmly braced or wrap a towel around it like a shawl, restraining its legs to prevent you from being scratched. Use a helper to make it easier. Place your cat on a table or on an elevated point to make it easier for you. Ask your helper to hold it from behind, with one arm on either side of the cat, grasping the elbow of each front leg. Place a towel around your cat's neck and legs like a shawl.

    • 3

      Grasp the butter-coated cranberry pill between your right hand's thumb and forefinger. Hold your cat's head back with your left hand and and tilt it up. Open its mouth with your right hand's middle finger.

    • 4

      Insert the pill into your cat's mouth. Put it in the center of its tongue and as far back as possible. Do not place it on its throat because this can make your cat gag.

    • 5

      Remove your fingers from your cat's mouth and close its jaws. Hold its mouth closed with your right hand until you see your cat has swallowed the pill. You can stimulate your cat to swallow by gently blowing on its nose or massaging its throat area. Watch for signs that your cat has swallowed the medication. Licking or movements in the throat area are signs that your cat has swallowed the pill.

    • 6

      Release your cat and give it a treat or something to eat. It will make your cat associate pill taking with a positive event and it will help the pill to travel down its stomach in case it is stuck on its way down.

    Using a Pill Gun

    • 7

      Use a pill gun. It is a plastic device with little rubber cups on one end that holds the pill until the plunger is pressed.

    • 8

      Coat the pill in some butter. It will make the pill easier to swallow. Insert the butter-coated cranberry pill into the tip of the pill gun.

    • 9

      Restrain your cat. Put it on your lap firmly braced or wrap a towel around it like a shawl, restraining its legs to prevent you from being scratched. Have your cat facing to the right if you're right-handed, and vice versa. With your left hand, grip your cat at the cheekbones, with your palm at the top of her head. Tilt its head up. It will automatically open its mouth. Use your right hand's ring and baby finger to keep its mouth open while your other fingers grasp the gun.

    • 10

      Insert the pill gun, positioning the pill over the center of the tongue and as far back as possible. Do not put it directly into its open throat because it can make your cat gag.

    • 11

      Pull the trigger, withdraw the gun quickly and close your cat's mouth. Keep it closed until you see you cat has swallowed the pill. Movement on the throat area or licking are signs that your cat has swallowed the pill. Release your cat.

    • 12

      Give your cat a treat directly after giving the pill. It will associate pill taking with a positive event and it will help the pill travel down to the stomach in case it has become stuck on its way down.

    Using a Pill Pocket

    • 13

      Use a pill pocket. Pill pockets are designed to carry your cat's medication inside and make pill taking easy. The pockets' tasty flavoring also makes pill taking a positive experience for your cat. Use a pill pocket if you don't want to force a pill down your cat's throat or if your pet tends to bite.

    • 14

      Insert the pill into the pill pocket and pinch the end to close it.

    • 15

      Feed the pill pocket to your cat like a regular treat.