My two adoptees are doing better every day, Lila and Gloria. I was asked to foster a cat who has cancer and I agreed. Her name is Pare and she was kicked out for her house (don't know the details) and ended up at the Humane Society and after being examined she was found to have cancer. There is a mass in her tummy. She weighed 3.5 lbs. when she was picked up and after a few months and meds., she weighs around 12 lbs. She's a good soul. I have to give her meds. twice a day and she hates it, but the meds keep her going and she has a good appetite. Does anyone have any ideas to make giving her meds easier?

Unlike their canine counterparts, I've never found a cat get used to being given pills and get better about it as time goes on. I used to have some success with wrapping them tightly in a towel and then holding them between my knees in order to free up both hands. Then it was just forcing it down their throat. A treat and some cuddling after can help, but you know cats, sometimes they will turn their nose up at all of that when feeling they have been treated in a manner which is beneath them.

I think the method Lisa described is the best way to medicate a cat.

Hey LisaSTL and jpgilham,

That's pretty much what I've been doing. I wish there was a better way. Cats!!!

One of the pharmacies here advertises that it will turn any pet medicine into a liquid. In the past, I've had good luck with getting liquids down cat throats. You probably want to look for one of the locally owned pharmacies instead of a big chain.

Both my cats get monthly doses of a flea medicine actually made for dogs. They are fairly docile and do not make it difficult for me. I have learned that once the pill gets in the mouth, stroking their throat (which they like anyway) makes them swallow.

My other cat used to fight me with pills. The two that I have now had pain pills after their spay & neuter surgeries. I put them in pill pockets and they never knew the difference. I couldn't believe how easy it was. Of course that might not work on all cats.

Or this might work....

HOW TO GIVE YOUR CAT A PILL


Sit on sofa. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your elbow as though you were going to give a bottle to a baby. Talk softly to it.


With right hand, position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. (be patient) As cat opens mouth pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.


Pick the pill up off the floor and go get the cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in left arm and repeat process. Sit on floor in kitchen, wrap arm around cat as before, drop pill in mouth. Let go of cat, noticing the direction it runs.


Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away. Scoot across floor to pick up pill, and go find the cat. Bring it back into the kitchen. Take 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.


Pry claws from back legs out of your arm. Go get the cat, pick up half-dissolved pill from floor and drop it into garbage can.


Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of closet. Call spouse from backyard. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub cat's throat vigorously.


Retrieve cat from curtain rod, get another pill from foil wrap. Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered Doulton figures from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.


Get spouse to lie on cat with head just visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open with pencil and blow down drinking straw.


Check label to make sure pill 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.


Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Place cat in cupboard and close door onto neck gently to leave head showing. Force mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with rubber band.


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


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


Tie cat's front paws to rear paws with garden twine and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy duty pruning gloves from shed, force cat's mouth open. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of fillet steak. Hold head vertically and pour one cup of water down throat to wash pill down.


Get spouse to drive you to the emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order new table.


Get last pill from bottle. Go into bathroom and get a fluffy towel. Stay in the bathroom with the cat, and close the door.

Sit on bathroom floor, wrap towel around kitty, leaving only his head exposed. Cradle kitty in the crook of your arm, and pick up pill off of counter.


Retrieve cat from top of shower door (you didn't know that cats can jump 5 feet straight up in the air, did you?), and wrap towel around it a little tighter, making sure its paws can't come out this time. With fingers at either side of its jaw, pry it open and pop pill into mouth. Quickly close mouth (his, not yours).


Sit on floor with cat in your lap, stroking it under the chin and talking gently to it for at least a half hour, while the pill dissolves.


Unwrap towel, open bathroom door. Wash off scratches in warm soapy water, comb your hair, and go drink whatever alcohol you have in house.

What if you ground up the meds into powder and added to a meat baby food by maybe Gerber? You can then draw up the meds/meat mixture into an oral syringe. Put the cat in a towel and then insert syringe into the corner of their mouth slowly dispursing the meds.

kimmiemae

so funny...I burst out laughing! I tried a pill popper and we're doing better. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I haven't laughed that long since I was a child! I laughed and laughed until my cats got insulted (or alarmed) and jumped off my car. The dog looked at me puzzled and went back to sleep.

Spot on, kimmiemae! Cats rule.

I can't take credit for coming up with it, although I did add at the bottom to drink whatever alcohol you have in the house. I think it illustrates what strong wills cats have when they don't want to do something. Glad it worked out for you Marigold. And Mert is right - cats rule!

Most of us don't have screen doors any more, but's here a true story of how Mama gave pepto to a sick cat. I didn't see this; it was described to me by a younger brother who was still living at home at the time. Mama picked up the cat and threw it against a screen door, where it grabbed and hung on with all four feet. Mama pressed the cat's mouth open and poured in the Pepto. Brother said the cat did fine although the screen door had a few small holes.

Here's another Mama story told in the family. Mama lived out in the country, with all kinds of wooded acreage suitable for hiding eggs. One year at Easter, two of the smaller grandchildren (ages 3 and 4)were taken to her house so Mama could watch them hunt eggs. Mama walked out on her front porch with a basket of candy eggs where she stood on the steps and slung the basket, scattering the eggs in plain sight all over the front yard. The baby grandkids had a wonderful time, and she saw them find every egg.

Your mama sounded like a wise and wonderful woman.

Odd. I wrote "car" above when I meant to write "chair". I think my computer did it. I have noticed lately that it leaves out letters which I have to go back and put in. Sometimes it just stops. It's a machine. I shouldn't be typing faster than it can think!