Life of the Lintee Bean

I’m not the world’s best “piller”, but I consider myself fairly adept at medicating cats. Not only have I had (and have) several cats with medical needs, but I also volunteered for a few years in a cat shelter’s clinic. I can pop a pill down an average cat’s throat. For your “more difficult” cat, I’ve learned most of the “tricks” – using a pill gun, “hiding” the pill in food, a bit of cheese, a bit of cream cheese, a bit of real mayonnaise, a soft treat…

You can get many, if not most, medications compounded into flavored liquids or even treats, which can make medicating the difficult cat a lot easier. Some medications can be compounded into transdermel gels you rub on the ear.

Pill Pockets are a handy little trick in the medicating bag. The ingredients make me cringe (corn syrup? pregelantized corn? wheat flour? wheat gluten? starch? soy protean?) However, they are relatively inexpensive, readily available, and easy to use. So, when I found out I’d be medicating my formerly-feral one-eyed wonder cat, Studley, I decided to go with Pill Pockets when cheese failed me. (Cheese “breaded” in freeze-dried turkey treat crumbs did work nicely, but I’m admittedly too lazy to prepare elaborate appetizers for my cat twice a day.)

The reason Studley is difficult to medicate is two-fold. First of all, he is difficult to CATCH. While he’s well socialized now, he still tends to run if you approach him, especially if you’re approaching him purposefully. He’s much more comfortable approaching YOU when you’re relaxed (sitting or lying down). Secondly, prying his mouth open and getting medication into his mouth – then actually getting him to SWALLOW it, is a huge ordeal.

Pill Pockets worked well – so well, I decided I’d use them for the other cats rather than the usual “stuff it down their throat” method. It did introduce a caution factor I neglected one night early on – and turning my back for a second, Ralph dropped his “laced” Pill Pocket and Studley nabbed it, consuming along with it his potassium and folate supplements.

Last night, Rumpelmintz got her medications in a Pill Pocket and managed to bite into one of the pills hidden inside. I knew, as she was promptly stomping around the kitchen smacking her lips and generally looking annoyed. She has refused Pill Pockets since. In fact, she’s refused most FOOD since – determined I am trying to poison her. She’ll get over it – eventually – but she’ll hold a grudge for a while.

Please call ASPCA. Bean trying to kill me.

Edited to add: I’ve found hiding the pills in bits of hot dog works great!

Edited again to add:  I can’t believe I forgot to note the importance of a liquid chaser when pilling!  Check out Dr. Lisa’s page on the subject.