how to give a cat a pill low stress way

Pilling a cat is difficult, and can result in bites to the owner, not ingesting the medication and the cat learning to be aggressive for care. In this video Dr. Foote demonstrates the correct technique, on a cat who is crafty at spitting the pill out.
Rather than continuing to readminister the pill, Dr. Foote shows how to crush the pill and give by syringe and why it is so important to not continue to pursue giving the pill form.
Learn more about low stress care at www.drsallyjfoote.com/shop/

[@birdymommy]

I LOVE that you used a "real" cat- not a "perfect" cat! Thank you for making this video- i can do this!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

You are welcome! I like my content to be real life and relevant

[@allcatz]

Too bad all cat meds aren't in liquid form. I needed this video as my cats pain meds after her spay surgery are pills.

[@jetscapo9737]

​@@allcatzodd, they usually give an oral/sublingual cat dose of buprenorphine for post surgery pain. At least for my lil guy they did..

[@katrinahintze8322]

I love that you showed him spitting out the pill…very realistic! Thank you!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

your welcome!

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Thanks for a realistic presentation. Most videos show cats who are really chill about being pilled.

[@wegaan]

One could even say that those cats are... 😎 chill pilled. 😎 🌅 (yeaaaaaah!)

[@ralphus44]

Somehow it was very relatable that you left in the footage of the cat spitting out the pill instead of editing that part out like everyone else would have. A big thumbs up from me!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

gotta keep it real life!

[@kamakirinoko]

Your comment about creating a fearful cat made chills go up and down my spine . . . I live alone and find it very difficult (I have yet to succeed) to give my cat a pill of any size. I've tried crushing and putting in food, but I personally TASTED these pills to see what I was giving him and they were **incredibly** bitter. Just an 1/8 of a teaspoon would contaminate a small bowl of wet food as to make it inedible. What I need is a liquid form of these pills with food flavouring to inject into his food so he can eat it without the bitterness. You'd have thought that veterinary pharmaceutical companies would have figured all this out. If so, they would have made a fortune.

[@ArielGibson757]

The pills can be compounded but it's expensive .

[@dbuchroeder]

​@robingibson5445 do you mean to tell me that you can take pills your vet gave you to a compound pharmacy , or is this only pliable to pills that are filled at the pharmacy and compounded

[@kamakirinoko]

@@dbuchroeder It's my understanding that you just have to find a pharmacy that does compounding. I just happened on one in my neighbourhood-use Google to search for "Pharmacy that does compounding" or "compounding pharmacy near me" and it should find one, if you're in a big city (I'm in Montreal). Then you bring the pills that the vet has prescribed-they have to be prescribed and you need to give the compounding pharmacy the prescription along with the pills (or liquids, but then you wouldn't need compounding) and there you go. I never actually went through with it so I don't know how much it would have been but as someone said it's probably expensive, but when you can't give a cat a pill and it MUST take the pill, you don't care how much it costs. Hope that helps. Let us know how it went!

[@sarahnoel666]

​@@dbuchroeder The vet has to send the prescription to a compound pharmacy.

[@lauriekristensen5859]

I had a compounded medication for a cat but it still immediately made her gag and vomit.

[@tinaa1981]

I tried this myself without an assistant... Im typing this while waiting for the ambulance to arrive

[@SheShe33]

😩

[@craiovabelgia2134]

what happened??

[@robinps52]

Been there…🙄

[@christine6059]

She says the towel is the only restraint, but obviously the assistant is keeping the towel in place and even holding the cat down. I’d love to see just one person pill a cat.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

see my other towel restraint with one person video then do the pilling steps

[@SuperMichelleDJ]

You just syringe feed as if feeding a newborn kitten. It's easier.

[@debbieshomes6984]

​@@SuperMichelleDJ Maybe so, but my little kitty didn't want to swallow and drooled it out

[@debbieshomes6984]

​@@DrSallyJFoote if it's so easy which it's not, you should do it yourself and see

[@PearlMagnolia]

I tried every medium. Wet food, tuna juice, chorus, dry food moistened with warm water. Not a pill, a capsule. Have to twist off the top and sprinkle it in the medium. Nope she absolutely will not have it. I am disabled and have no assistant. So we graduate to the high stress method. Wrap kitty in a towel, pry her mouth open and pop the capsule in, holding her mouth closed for at least two or three minutes until I can tell she has swallowed it, followed by lots of praises and a churu if she's not to mad at me to take it. This, after trying to get her to take her meds the vet's way for five days. Five days worth of meds down the drain. At some point, I just quit worrying about her "feelings " and worrying more about her state of health if she doesn't get her meds!

[@stormcrow3642]

Way to get it done!

[@andy-mb3nn]

Thanks for this. I maybe have to resort to this as I'm also without a helper

[@johngoldstein1551]

Worked for me today! Momo had his claws out halfway ready to beat me up but he held it down! Thank you!

[@jamielawrence4749]

I have to give my cat 6 pills a day for heart disease. I've found that slipping the small ones into those Churro-type purees are the best, or, if I can, slipping one into a freeze-dried treat like chicken. But now he is catching on, or gets bored of the flavors, or simply keeps spitting it out accidentally. Some days are easier than others! I don't have someone to help me, and he is strong, but the towel method looks helpful for the times I break down and need to give it to him if he isn't getting it with the other methods. The time frame (having to give a cat a pil every 12 hours, for example, makes it worse because then I panic that I'm missing the window and he probbaly feels it! Never wanted to have a boyfriend more than to have someone help me with giving my cat these pills! 😅 Thank you for the video.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

talk to you vet about transdermal forms of the meds. this will help too.

[@MariaMaria-kv1oh]

6 pills a day is not a life for him ...try with natural methods...what kind of veterinary would do that to a cat😢

[@alexandrapatricio2727]

Yes, they do feel everything, out anxiety gets to then. Good looks for you, Giant task.

[@Malebrignon]

I've never seen a youtube tutorial starring folks I've actually met! Thanks for your help. Great to see both of you. Haven't seen either since Shopko closed.

[@miles267]

Nothing about this was low stress! Classic!

[@PerspectivePossibilities]

Gfy 🤣🤡

[@miles267]

😂

[@AHopeThatCanOvercomeAnyDespair]

Nothing is low Stress though cat’s Are always Like this

[@roblesayify]

I successfully applied the second technique using the syringe method step by step, and it worked like a charm. My cat remained calm and swallowed the medication with ease. Thank you immensely for sharing this helpful video. 🙏

[@staceyshore5429]

Great video with lots of good ideas. Well worth the 4 minutes to watch.

[@ermasmith4311]

Thank you! Thank you Dr Foote, for making it plan and simple with the syringe; that is an answer to prayer, Thank you again, ma'am!

[@angrybees8122]

I like that you showed the real clip without editing it. Cats are cool

[@dsj2095]

This is interesting and appreciate the use of this cat - the struggle is real! Would love to see a video of a single person trying to pill a resistant cat. Never yet seen a video of this. They always have help but we don’t all have assistants/housemates or neighbours to call on twice a day, every day. My cat would be backed out of there, fighting, and dreadfully stressed. Only way I can achieve this is to crush the tablet, mix in butter, and butter the top of her paws - just as I do when we move house. It’s an old way and a risk for full dosage but the only thing that works.

[@SuperMichelleDJ]

No you have to use a towel and restrain their head. Sorry, no other way around it.

[@Tiborcek]

@@SuperMichelleDJ We wrap the towel around the neck (like at the barber's) to immobilize the front legs, so it can't scratch us. Sometimes we "sit" on them (not full weight, of course) to have a firm grip. One cat is easy, it cooperates and opens mouth fully, but the other one struggles all the way and it's so much harder with her.

[@Tropicalexc]

Thank you so much for these wonderful techniques❤️❤️🫶🙏🏻

[@OCandy13]

I love the idea of crushing the pill and adding it to broth. I have a very sick cat that needs his pill but also has a sore throat - this is the way to do it I think!! Thank you!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

you are welcome. Honey is also a good substance to use as it coats the throat and helps it heal

[@debbieshomes6984]

​@@DrSallyJFoote What if your cat doesn't swallow and drools?

[@myathehappy_1]

What if youre single and dont have someone else to hold the cat? I have to give 7 days of liquid meds and so far day 3, I get about a 1/4 of the liquid into the cats mouth every dose, now she's acting like she hates me :( I also have to give a pill on top of this. Not happy someone needs to invent a cat holding device.

[@Kat123]

Thank you for making this video. It helped me to pill my cat

[@sarahharvie2779]

Thank you so much for this advice. I’ve always struggled with Poppy and pills. Will be doing it as you’ve displayed here from now on 😊

[@KarmaZeusBoi]

You really helped me. Thank you so much

[@jeanettefortenberry8038]

Wonderful! Thanks for giving a realistic representation!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Glad you liked it!

[@tnsmemory]

Very helpful, good modeling of us staying calm

[@troyhearn8642]

Thank you.

[@silva7493]

I R E A L L Y needed this!😻

[@sydneyknutsen2492]

Excellent common sense approach. Love the crushed pill in water via a syringe. Never occurred to me.

[@rajgill7576]

Here goes nothing.. thanks for the most real guide. I have churu treats laying around so should be cake!

[@dopecactus8513]

thank you so so much. My little man has heart and liver problems and he has to take medication for the rest of his life, which he never ever had to. I dont want to stress him out even more. Thank you so so much for this helpful video

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Glad I could help Let us know how this works for you!

[@jessicasnaplesfl7474]

Hahahaha! I loved the first part of your video - just like home! Thanks for the great idea of using syringes + tasty liquid to deliver the pulverized pill without stress.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

let me know how it works for you

[@t2av159]

Thank you

[@joee8195]

It worked! And I did it solo. I came up gently behind my cat, lifted his head up, nose pointing to ceiling. And then I slipped the pill in after dunking it in wet food. He did try to lick back out, but after my second placement he swallowed it. No fuss, no muss. Thank you for this video. I guess I have a nearly perfect cat.

[@rondeichman]

My cat is now doing daily Benadryl pills (1/2 12.5mg) and it's a rodeo. He's a super mellow fellow so he always forgives but sometimes I feel bad for him. I will try your method of crushing it and administer with water. Thanks for the video!

[@WombatofDOOM53]

I'm going to give this a try. My cats are very difficult. This is great because it seems too many videos show cats who are cooperative and that just leaves me feeling like a complete failure because I can't make it work.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

let me know how it works for you. Yes, I like to use real-life demos

[@jenniferseymour38]

LOL, at first I read this as "real life demons"! I mean... sometimes that's what it seems like when pilling a cat!@@DrSallyJFoote

[@jamikatechaos9972]

Fitting that I was "like" 411, as this was actually informative, and with a less than enthusiastic cat!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

I am glad this helped!

[@mademsoisellerhapsody]

THANK YOU❤

[@DrSallyJFoote]

You're welcome 😊

[@JonathanHartwig]

I didn't watch a video and did almost everything wrong last night. Tonight should hopefully be a different story. Thank you!

[@KenmoreToast-xp2nj]

My cat is taking Denamarin, which says on the box, which says on the box that it's "sensitive to moisture". Could I still cover it in Churu right before giving it to my cat? Thanks in advance, this video was super helpful in teaching me.

[@cacoolj1]

What is the brother your using in the syringe?

[@ionzaharia5078]

You are so funny !❤❤❤

[@suresoundsgreat]

My options for hiding the pill in food/treats is limited because my cat has IBS. Any tips for IBS-friendly methods?

[@Bella-kh6jt]

Can you crush metronidazole tablets and add broth to give with a syringe or is it slow release and need to be ingested whole ?

[@DrSallyJFoote]

you can crush it but it is bitter. Use a strong broth or tuna water to hide the taste.

[@m4nap4rt20]

I have to give me senior cat pills twice a day. She is very resistant to taking them and, even when I follow with water, occasionally (somehow) pukes them out. Tried the ear version, but it's not helping as much. I will try crushing, but any other suggestions? Your cat was a toy compared to mine. She will rip you to shreds if you aren't careful, even with two of us. Can't afford the surgery...

[@Paroles_et_Musique]

I think the main point is "always have 1/2 more pills than prescribed", as half of them will get unusable, when cat spit them out. It's hot summer here also, so when I cut a pill in half, one half morning, one half for dinner, the second half transforms into dust during the hot day. I tried put it in the freezer, still got destroyed when I took it out, guess some pills aren't made to last once you cut them. So, always have half more than you need.

[@KamuCreates]

What would you suggest if the pill is has a liquid filling and the cat is being difficult?

[@DrSallyJFoote]

ask for an alternative medication

[@patrickdaugharty7475]

My cat is three times as squirrelly as that cat. I have to admit it was hilarious to watch specially, since the vet was doing it. Ha😂

[@DrSallyJFoote]

just showing real life.

[@user-fw1nj7yq5m]

You said put the syringe where the lips meet, not in the front but rather at the corners of the mouth, but then you put the syringe in the front. ?? Or did you mean put your ‘free’ hand at the corners of the mouth to help open the mouth? Thanks.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

I was putting the syringe from the side next to my thumb. It was hard to see - if the camera person came closer the cat would have reacted and this is a real life setting where we have to balance filming and demonstrating treatment.

[@PerspectivePossibilities]

@2:13 " *ugh you're guna be a pain in the ass* " 🤣

[@sundance2005]

How do we know if know if the med can be given this way, I have can be given this way? I have to give my cat a Probiotic which is in a capsule?

[@DrSallyJFoote]

double check with your veterinarian for the specific medication, but most can be pulverized

[@jenniferseymour38]

probiotics are flavorless, so you should be able to open the capsule and mix the powder into food easily.

[@rodlong1802]

LOL!!! The pills I have aren't crushable first off and second, my cat would never even let me hold her down in a blanket like that 😂

[@carriemou3678]

This is what came up for "how to give a cat a pill by yourself". 😂 where's my assistant?

[@ltvanburen8555]

I love this video, but what if we don’t Ave a vet tech to help us😿

[@ccalexander1924]

What kind of broth do I use

[@DrSallyJFoote]

churro treat - you can use baby food, or chicken broth

[@Linda_W.]

​She also mentioned tuna water, which is what I just used. I was able to administer ALMOST all of it. 😔

[@nasrinmunshi9681]

Dr mam.my kitty is having FHV 1.Any suggestions hw to tk care of him.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

This is a chronic condition that needs consistent eye meds and oral meds. Follow this video for less stressful ways to apply eye meds kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmHTq6V_o6d-oJofeature=shared Good luck!

[@autumnsmith3585]

Good tips, however at home we don't have a hemostat... That kitty is a good boy.

[@goldenpony822]

But the medicine taste so horrible that she vomits id it's not in pill form... And she also struggles... what to do...

[@DrSallyJFoote]

ask your vet to prescribe the medication as a transdermal gel. This can be applied to the inside of the ear.

[@richb1576]

I tried this. Cat foamed and would not swallow and ended up having a mess all over. I wish this did work it looks a lot easier

[@Galedriall]

I'm trying to give my cat his plavix... it did not go well. I tried the first method with my husband holding him. I'd like to try the 2nd but where can I find a syringe???

[@ja2de769]

Pharmacies have syringes. As a pharmacist at a drugstore for one. They also have different sizes.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

stop by your vet clinic and ask for one, or ask your local pharmacist for a 3 cc dosing syringe

[@amybarker827]

Any suggestions for doing this by yourself and not with someone else helping? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Use this towel technique to hold the cat kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWiam6dmdr5pZ5ofeature=shared Let us know how it goes!

[@apetrading1528]

I hope this works. My street cat really having tough time while breathing

[@DrSallyJFoote]

let us know how it works

[@apetrading1528]

@@DrSallyJFoote People's lives can change very unexpectedly in 7 months. My life changed too. I changed too. I don't have cats anymore because I learned how hard it is to bear the pain when they die.

[@Straingelove]

How can I give my cat Azodyl? 😢

[@DrSallyJFoote]

verify first with your veterinarian - this may be a drug that can be compounded into a taste tab or liquid for easier dosing than the capsule. I do not advise opening the capsule as this particular drug is bitter, and it would alter the rate of absorbtion.

[@Straingelove]

@@DrSallyJFoote thank you so much. I hope they can compound it 🥺🙏🏻❤️

[@didarden]

If capsule dip one end in fish oil

[@nelliesfarm8473]

That cat isn't fighting at all like mine !!!!!! 😢 mine its impossible! I keep trying

[@pearlelizabeth6263]

How do I do this without an assistant though :( I have to do this everyday for at least two weeks my cat is going to hate me

[@pearlelizabeth6263]

Thank you for the video though - it is very helpful!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

use this towel wrap technique to hold him kzbin.info/www/bejne/fWiam6dmdr5pZ5ofeature=shared

[@OCandy13]

Wondering why you didnt grab him by the scruff of his neck before administering his pills? I've heard it makes them more docile?

[@DrSallyJFoote]

cats shut down with scruffing( grabbing the back of the neck) and it is painful. The next time you do that, they aggress and struggle. The concept of Low-Stress care is to decrease pain and stress, not to increase it and clearly understand the body language of animals.

[@yuriy8522]

This is nice and all but I wish they showed us how to do it solo

[@MariaMendoza-iq2xx]

Perdón pero yo estoy sola y no tengo una persona que me ayude a darle la pastilla al gato. Esto no nos funciona a todos. Lo pone fácil con dos personas pero solo una persona no es lo mismo. 😊

[@spk3489]

My cat immediately senses something fishy with the syringe. Ah! It's a hard task. 😪

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Feed your cat baby food alone out of the syringe so he learns to like the syringe.

[@cjgeorfo]

My cat made his mouth foam when I did that sad😢

[@Laura-qc7dj]

1.) Our cat wouldn't stay still in a towel like the one here for even 5 seconds. This cat appears very calm. 2.) We don't have nice high-up exam tables at home. I am in an apartment with tiny counter space, and he is not allowed to go up there nor does he even try, so not an option, though it would be the best option! 3.) I'll keep perusing videos because as our cat ages, we will need to pill him! Every time we have tried, it rolls around his mouth, and he vomits from the bitterness.

[@margaretdrew2844]

My cat won’t keep still like that

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Try practicing just getting your cat happy on the table with treats. Consider taking my spicy cat home care course to learn the step by step process for less stressful care www.drsallyjfoote.com/shop/education/spicy-cat-home-care-recording/

[@dylansoutdooradventures]

wow totally stress free lololol

[@t.j.7451]

I need an assistant 😭😭

[@ThiagoMargarida]

You are able to wrap him in a towel. That's way farther than we got here.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Watch my other videos for ways to make wrapping less stressful. Also my course can give you many more tips with demo of home care for cats. www.drsallyjfoote.com/product/spicy-cat-home-care-recording/

[@jillcnc]

This assumes that you have someone to hold the cat.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

true - I have a course in my shop that demonstrates working solo for eye, ear and oral meds. www.drsallyjfoote.com/shop/education/spicy-cat-home-care-recording/

[@SuperMichelleDJ]

It also assumes that the cat is not extremely aggressive.

[@unicornwizhez4115]

Ger first attempt is how it goes for me

[@DrSallyJFoote]

Try just making it liquid. Be sure to tell your vet what works.

[@canaryinacoalmine8746]

Doesn't look low stress to me

[@debbieshomes6984]

My cat drools and refuses to swallow the essential oils even with baby food! Then what? I think I'll try liverwurst and see.

[@whatweshouldknow5648]

I put mine in a tsp of tuna crushed lol

[@kjwaddell387]

Not helpful to me when you have an assistant. I don't

[@Plathianloner]

This is SOOO ridiculous, I live alone and if I wasn't aggressive using a piller, he'd never get ANY PILLS! I have to SIT on my cat and FORCE his mouth open! Absurd!

[@diva1977]

You mean how to fail at pilling a cat tutorial 🙄

[@coinholio6863]

what a fail this video is.

[@seanhammon6639]

Crap! They don't like the taste of the water!

[@DrSallyJFoote]

use tuna water from the can or baby food

[@isabellamarcelo8904]

Very useful. Thank you.

[@DrSallyJFoote]

you are very welcome

[@samuraisharkie]

I tried to do the syringe method and my cat choked. Like she did the “I’m going to vomit” retching expression and then crawled off like she’d been injured. I gave her a treat to see if she was able to swallow, and she did eat it (after a little) but now I’m worried it went down the wrong pipe. I put it in sideways, my sibling was holding her still and keeping her head up, but things still went wrong.