I don’t know what’s going on with Bella lately, but I seriously need some advice! The vet prescribed her these tiny pills for her thyroid, and I thought it would be easy, but Bella’s turned into some kind of ninja when it’s pill time. I’ve tried hiding it in her food, but she always manages to eat around it, the sneaky devil! Crushing the pill doesn’t work either—she just sniffs the bowl and walks away offended. I’ve never had this much trouble giving her medication before. I’m really worried because she absolutely needs these pills twice a day and it’s been two days already. Does anyone have any foolproof tricks to get a picky cat to take her meds? Feeling a bit desperate here!
I completely understand why you're worried. Giving a cat a pill can sometimes feel like a mission impossible! Cats are naturally independent and can be quite fussy when it comes to medicine.
First, consider hiding the pill in a special treat or a small amount of canned food, making sure your cat consumes it all. You might also try crushing the pill and mixing it with wet food, as long as your vet has confirmed that the pill can be safely crushed. Some cats can't resist the allure of a little tuna juice or chicken broth, which may also help the medicine go down.
If that doesn’t work, you might need to go the direct route: Hold your cat gently but securely, and use your fingers to open her mouth by applying gentle pressure at the back of her jaw. Quickly place the pill as far back as you can, close her mouth, and gently stroke her throat to encourage swallowing.
Be patient and calm, because cats can sense stress. Consider giving a comforting treat afterward to make it a more positive experience for her. Keep an eye out for signs of distress like coughing, drooling excessively, or sneezing the pill out, which could indicate choking or irritation.
If you're still having trouble, booking a video consult with Dial A Vet might be the next best step. They can offer you more tailored advice and guide you through the process.
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