How to Give Your Foster Cat a Pill
The most effective way to give your cat a pill is to place it at the very back of the mouth and then use a small syringe to add a small amount of water. This encourages the cat to swallow the pill. A video demonstrating a variation of this method is available below.
However, not all cats tolerate being handled this way. If your foster cat does not allow this method, here are some additional tips:
• Place a few smelly treats (such as Temptations) in your palm with the deworming pill and rub them together for a minute so the pill absorbs the scent. Then offer a few treats along with the pill in a small pile. Some cats will eat it right up.
(If you have more than one foster cat, ensure only the intended cat has access to the treats.) A video of this method is available here.
• Use a pill pocket (available at Ops).
• Wrap the pill in a small piece of food such as chicken, deli meat, fish, or cheese.
• Hollow out a treat (such as a Temptations) and place the pill inside.
If these methods fail, the following options can be tried, though they are less reliable because the pill may not be fully consumed:
• Coat the pill in yogurt, butter, or Churu.
• As a last resort, crush the pill into a fine powder and mix it into a small amount of food or Churu. Use only a small portion to ensure the cat eats the entire dose.
Note: Some medications cannot be crushed or may taste too strong when crushed. Deworming pills can be crushed as a last resort.
However, not all cats tolerate being handled this way. If your foster cat does not allow this method, here are some additional tips:
• Place a few smelly treats (such as Temptations) in your palm with the deworming pill and rub them together for a minute so the pill absorbs the scent. Then offer a few treats along with the pill in a small pile. Some cats will eat it right up.
(If you have more than one foster cat, ensure only the intended cat has access to the treats.) A video of this method is available here.
• Use a pill pocket (available at Ops).
• Wrap the pill in a small piece of food such as chicken, deli meat, fish, or cheese.
• Hollow out a treat (such as a Temptations) and place the pill inside.
If these methods fail, the following options can be tried, though they are less reliable because the pill may not be fully consumed:
• Coat the pill in yogurt, butter, or Churu.
• As a last resort, crush the pill into a fine powder and mix it into a small amount of food or Churu. Use only a small portion to ensure the cat eats the entire dose.
Note: Some medications cannot be crushed or may taste too strong when crushed. Deworming pills can be crushed as a last resort.