Lucy and How To Give a Cat Tablets

Published on by Margaret

Thank you to everyone who commented on my post about Lucy’s hyperthyroidism. I thought I’d reply in a post rather than in the comments and include a link on how to use a pill popper – see below.

Lucy’s tablets have to be given to her whole – they cannot be crushed because they have a special coating and anyway she just won’t eat any pill that we crushed in her food. She is an expert at licking round pills even when they are crushed and leaving them.

The pill popper helps but it takes two of us to give her the tablet. The vet demonstrated how to use it using their own cat who just sits calmly on the counter and accepts it – he’s used to demonstrating how to use the pill popper. Lucy isn’t so amenable!

Avisann asked how the pill popper works – I found this video demonstrating how to use one – just click on the photo.

 How to give a cat tablets

Edited after posting: Have a look at Diane’s comment with instructions on giving a cat a pill – it’s hilarious!

8 thoughts on “Lucy and How To Give a Cat Tablets”

  1. The video was helpful. When I had problems giving a cat a pill and told a friend, she sent me these instructions:

    1. Grasp cat firmly in your arms. Cradle its head on your elbow, just as if you were giving baby a bottle. Coo confidently, “Thats a nice kitty.” Drop pill into its mouth.

    2. Retrieve cat from top of lamp and pill from under sofa.

    3. Follow same procedure as in 1, but hold cat’s front paws down with left hand and back paws down with elbow of right arm. Poke pill into its mouth with right forefinger.

    4. Retrieve cat from under bed. Get new pill from bottle. (Resist impulse to get new cat.)

    5. Again proceed as in 1, except when you have cat firmly cradled in bottle-feeding position, sit down on edge of chair, fold your torso over cat, bring your right hand over your left elbow, open cat’s mouth by lifting the upper jaw and pop the pill in – quickly. Since your head is down by your knees, you won’t be able to see what you’re doing. That’s just as well.

    6. Leave cat hanging on drapes. Leave pill in your hair.

    7. If you’re a woman, have a good cry. If you’re a man, have a good cry.

    8. Now pull yourself together. Who’s the boss here anyway? Retrieve cat and pill. Assuming position 1, say sternly, “Who’s the boss here, anyway?” Open cat’s mouth, take pill and…Oooops!

    9. This isn’t working, is it? Collapse and think. Aha! Those flashing claws are causing the chaos.

    10. Crawl to linen closet. Drag back large beach towel. Spread towel on floor.

    11. Retrieve cat from kitchen counter and pill from potted plant.

    12. Spread cat on towel near one end with its head over long edge.

    13. Flatten cat’s front and back legs over its stomach. (Resist impulse to flatten cat.)

    14. Roll cat in towel. Work fast; time and tabbies wait for no man-or woman.

    15. Resume position 1. Rotate your left hand to cat’s head. Press its mouth at the jaw hinges like opening the petals of a snapdragon.

    16. Drop pill into cat’s mouth and poke gently. Voila! It’s done.

    17. Vacuum up loose fur (cat’s). Apply bandages to wounds (yours).

    18. Take two aspirins and lie down.
    (I thought it was hysterical)!

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  3. I nearly peed myself laughing while I read Diane’s comment!

    Thanks again, Margaret, for sharing this video. I think I have to send Diane’s instructions to a few of my cat-loving friends!

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  5. Those instructions are hilarious! Thanks for the laugh. I need to go hug my cat :)

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  6. That’s very funny! I once saw an incredible tv clip of a woman demonstrating how to give her cat a pill. She cradled it in her arms, then completely let go. The cat clung instinctively to the front of her sweater, she stuck a pill into its dropped jaw, lightning fast, and then it was all over. You know, I have never tried it as a method…

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  7. Litlove, that is too funny and I wouldn’t dare do that with Lucy! those claws hurt and she’d be over my back in an instant. I know because trying to put her in the cat carrier has the same effect.

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  8. You have to have a sense of humor when attempting these things! Obviously this is universal. A cat will not do what a cat does not want to do–in my experience anyway. I feel for you as this is going to be an ongoing situation, isn’t it? Perhaps over time you’ll come up with your own method. Vets always make it look simple, but in reality it never actually happens that way!

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