Is Your Pet a Pain to Pill?

While there are some cats and dogs that are easy to pill, let’s just assume that most are not.  Their ingenuity and flexibility becomes very apparent as you prepare to get that tiny pill into the stomach of your pet. 

Unless the pill is a chewable taste tab, grinding it and putting it in food rarely works.  The dog and cat’s sense of smell is so superior to ours that they usually know when you have “contaminated” their food; and they may avoid their food bowl after that betrayal. 

The food bowl is sacred, especially for the sick patient; so keep that food appealing.  Their sense of time, too, is amazing!  You may begin to realize that your pet seems to know exactly when you plan to do the deed -- and they are nowhere to be found.

Hiding the pill in a tasty treat is often the best way.  For the voracious eaters, I have the pill hidden in the first little treat, while holding the second juicy morsel right next to their nose.  They quickly swallow the first in order to get the second. 

This method also works in reverse, giving a “blank” treat first, then the hidden pill; then I give another “blank” as a chaser.  Your vet or local pet store may also have Greenies Pill Pockets, which are quite good.  There are two flavors for cats, and even finicky cats often go for these.

Now let’s consider the cat or dog that will absolutely not take a treat containing medication, and you have to actually “pill” your pet.  One method is to take your non-dominant hand over the face/muzzle and position your thumb and an opposing finger on the upper jaw just behind his canine teeth (fangs).  Your palm is now over the top of his head and your fingers are safe because they're just behind the fangs.  You use your left forearm and body to create "walls" so he can't squirm away. 

The pill, covered perhaps with a little bit of soft butter, is between your fingertips of the right hand.  With your left hand, firmly but gently point his nose straight up to the ceiling.  This usually releases the lower jaw.  With the middle or ring finger of your right hand pull the lower jaw down to open the mouth.  If you've kept the nose pointing straight up, the jaw should open easily.  Quickly slide the pill on the tip of your index finger over the tongue to the very back.  Be sure to keep the nose pointing straight up.  Your finger should be in and out in a split second.  Keep the nose pointed up, now with the mouth closed, for a second or two.  If you see him lick his upper lip the pill went down.  Hurray! 

In that spit second after the mouth has closed I usually wipe a little bit of the butter from my finger onto the upper lip below the nostrils to encourage the lick.  The whole thing should take about  two or three seconds. 

For cats and small dogs, you might want to gently wrap a soft towel around his chest like a bib.  Your vet or your local pet store may also have a “pill popper” that you can use so you don’t have to put your finger down the length of the tongue.   Remember, the pill must be placed at the BACK of the mouth.

Practice first without the pill.  Practice the hold and visualize the quick maneuver before you do it with the pill.  Some people use cream cheese or peanut butter, or a little piece of meat or cheese (we're talking a tiny bit here). 

Compounding pharmacies can make most prescriptions into tasty liquids that can be given with measured syringes or droppers.  On occasion, we can also use transdermal gels for some medications.  Ask your vet if these options might be advisable for your pet.  Remember, you are giving a pill because your pet’s health will benefit from it.  It should not add stress or anxiety for either of you!

 You can become very adept at this. Have a very special treat to give your patient immediately after the pilling.   And then get a treat for yourself as well!