How To Give A Cat A Pill

How To Give A Cat A Pill



** update **
I gather that some of the people landing here would REALLY like to know how to give a cat a pill instead of the funny story below.
If so, here is a lovely website that shows AND tells you how to do it easily (well, as easily as it can be). How to pill a cat Oh and I find it easier to put the kitty about waist high to me, and on a counter or the corner of a counter with a wall, so you have something else backing up your elbow. It is best if the cat feels there is no where to go.
The explanation says it is for right-handed people, but I am right handed and I find it easier to hold the kitty with my left arm, then use my left hand to hold his head from under his chin, then slip my left forefinger and thumb into his mouth from each side.
At this time I use my right hand to put the pill as far back as I can, then immediately let him close his mouth and caress his throat downwards, watching for the tongue to peek out, which is the hint that the pill is going down. I always find it best to take him directly to his food/water bowl to give him the suggestion that eating or drinking will help it go the rest of the way down. Of course you need to watch to see if that little pill slips back out!
Now for the funny stuff...
*** End of update ***

If you have ever tried to give a cat a pill you know how difficult it is.
The following instructions are fool proof!

1. Pick up the cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from under chair. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take a new pill from foil wrap. Cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call spouse in from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between the knees. Holding front and rear paws, ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold cat's head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap. Make a note to buy a new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered figurines from hearth and set aside for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with it's head just visible from beneath spouse's armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force cat's mouth open with pencil and blow down straw.

9. Check label to make sure that pill is not harmful to humans. Drink glass of water to take taste away. Apply band-aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from carpet with cold water and soap.

10.Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck to leave head showing. Force mouth open with spoon, flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put door back on hinges. Apply cold compress to cheek and check records for last tetanus shot. throw t-shirt away and fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call the fire department to retrieve cat from tree across the road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat. Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining room table. Find heavy duty pruning gloves from garage. Force cat's mouth open with small trowel. Push pill into mouth followed} by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour 1/2 pint of water down throat to wash pill down.

14. Get spouse to drive you to emergency room. Sit quietly while doctor stitches finger and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Stop by furniture store on the way home to order a new table.

15. Arrange for vet to make house call.