How to Give a Sick Cat Who's Not Eating a Pill

For cat guardians who are used to giving their feline medication by hiding it in some tasty tuna, it can be a daunting task to medicate an ailing cat that is not eating. If your cat is sick, she is not going to be enticed into taking her pill by hiding it in a treat. Knowing how to give your cat a pill without a food treat will be important in treating your cat̵7;s condition and helping her heal from the illness.

Things You'll Need

  • Butter or margarine
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Instructions

    • 1

      Rub a bit of margarine or butter on the pill. This makes the pill taste better to the cat and will help the cat to more easily swallow the medication.

    • 2

      Place the cat on a flat surface, such as a table.

    • 3

      Put the cat into the crook of your right arm so that if he backs up, he is going to back toward your body and be unable to escape.

    • 4

      Take the pill in your left hand.

    • 5

      Place your hand around the cat̵7;s face and lift her nose upward. This causes the mouth to open slightly. Open the cat̵7;s mouth fully, using your right hand.

    • 6

      Open the cat̵7;s jaw wider using a finger on your left hand while still holding your right hand around the cat̵7;s face.

    • 7

      Place the pill as far back into the cat̵7;s mouth as you can reach.

    • 8

      Hold the cat̵7;s mouth closed, using your right hand.

    • 9

      Rub the cat̵7;s throat gently for a few seconds to promote swallowing.

    • 10

      Remove your hand from the cat̵7;s face, but do not let the cat run away. You need to be sure the cat swallows the pill and doesn̵7;t simply spit it out as soon as he̵7;s out of your grasp.