The trick is to be gentle and use a little technique. I sit behind them and tuck them between my legs so they don’t try to back up.
First, I show them the tablet in my hand so they can see what they’re eating, then use the magic word “eat” as I point at it in my hand a couple of times to make it clear. I always use the same command “open your mouth” as I open my mouth too, as I pry theirs open, and place it as far back as I can without making them gag. Once it’s in, I close their mouth and hold their head up while I gently stroke their throat until they swallow. And, of course, praise them for doing a great job, no treats necessary.
The way I see it is that I’d also be freaked out if a giant forced me to swallow something without knowing what it is. They get it and get used to the drill. You only have to be nice and clear about it!
Cat pillers are amazing for anyone who doesn’t know
I have never gotten one of these to work. I just shove my finger down their throat. I usually don’t get bit, but occasionally I catch my thumb or forefinger on a fang. They gets treats right after and a ton of love, so after a month or so they get excited at medicine time.
Interesting. With my cat I had maybe 2/3 pill failure rate he’d spit them up no matter how hard I tried with my fingers. Then they’d get caught in his fur and I’d have to fish them out lol. The piller has worked every time for me
Oh, I also get a pill pocket (which doesn’t work on its own) and tear it in half to make a tasty coating for the pill then down the throat it goes. I think most pills are chalky and get stuck in the back of their mouth or at the top of their throat and they cough them back up.
These don’t work for me at all. Pill pockets on the other hand? Lifesavers.
For some reason my cat only likes the ones thst are for dogs though.
!samsondruggingthecat@lemmy sdf.org
Edit; That didn’t work for whatever reason
I had a dog several years back who was difficult to give medicine to. Wet peanut butter mostly worked (wet so it doesn’t stick to your fingers), but there were times he would spit the pill back out, and I’d have to push it down his throat. It was always a wrestling match like the meme, except I’m not ripped or have hair.
My current dog doesn’t care and will just eat it without thinking about it. Ironically, she is not food motivated. 🤷♂️
