Trying to pill a cat can feel impossible at times. It’s a task that many cat owners struggle with. Cats aren’t fans of having to swallow pills, and the texture or taste of the capsules themselves can be very unappealing to them.
While taking a capsule apart and mixing in the contents with food is sometimes an option, some supplements need to be fed as-is to maximize the effect of the ingredients within it. Furthermore, if the supplement in question has an overwhelmingly strong taste or smell, mixing it with food can backfire, and result in your cat developing a dislike for the food as well.
As weight management is crucial when caring for cats with kidney disease, you should avoid taking any actions that will lead to your cat avoiding specific foods. This means that the best way to administer supplements is feeding the capsules as-is when possible. That’s where your trusty pet piller (also known as a pill gun or pill popper) comes in.
Pet Piller / Hand Feeding
- (1) Prepare Pet Piller
Hold the piller with the tip held upright so the capsule doesn’t fall out. If your cat is still new to the pilling process, consider applying a dab of purée/paste-based snacks on the capsule to make it more palatable.
- (2) Get Cat in Position
Wrap a blanket around your cat and fix their front paws in place to keep them from flailing about. However, if your cat is already used to being pilled, or you have sufficient experience in keeping your cats still, you can do without the blanket. You should avoid trying to hold your cat tightly, as your cat may be discomforted. It is important to keep your cat calm and feeling safe.
- (3) Open Cat’s Mouth
Gently hold your cat’s head with one hand and tilt it slightly back so that your cat is looking upward. At the same time, use your fingers (thumb and index finger are recommended) to open your cat’s mouth.
- (4)-1 Hand Feeding
With your cat’s mouth open, insert the pill into their mouth. Make sure the pill is behind their tongue, close to the back of their throat. It’s important to make sure the pill goes deep down their throat, past the center of their tongue.
- (4)-2 Piller Feeding
When inserting the piller inside your cat’s mouth, keep the pill against the side of their mouths to ensure their safety. Aim the piller towards their throat, making sure that the pill can reach the back of their tongue. This step should be done as safely and quickly as possible.
- (5) Provide a Reward
A purée/paste-based snack can help the pills go down without getting stuck in your cat’s throat. At the same time, it’ll also make your cat feel like it is being rewarded for taking their pills and make them more open to taking their pills in the future.
Tips and Warnings
If your cat is resistant to the very idea of swallowing capsules, it’s a good idea to get them used to taking capsules in general. Try applying some (just a dab, not too much) purée/paste-based snacks to an empty capsule to help familiarize them to the process.
Some cats may find themselves unwilling to be on the receiving end of a piller. That’s why you should slowly get your cat accustomed to a pet piller when starting out. For instance, applying a bit of purée/paste-based snacks on the piller and practicing the feeding process can help your cat get over their fear of the device.
Using a piller can be difficult for first timers. Try practicing with an empty capsule before moving onto actually administering the supplements to make sure you can aim the capsule right where it needs to go. Remember, practice makes perfect!
Greycoat Research Consultations
If you have any other questions regarding the proper way to administer our supplements to your cats, please reach out to us at Greycoat Research so we can better assist you. Once we have a better idea of your cat, we can help you come up with a solution tailored to your cat’s temperament and preferences.
