In a previous article, I discussed administering liquid or solid medication to cats. This was before I had to care for my own sick cat who required two different medications.
The first medication was straightforward. It was provided by the vet, and I could simply split it in half, then give him the required half with his food at each meal. He would readily consume it without any issues.
The second medication was a challenge. Not only was it difficult for him to take, but it was also a struggle for me. On one occasion, when we tried to administer it, he started foaming at the mouth due to the medication’s acidity. Fortunately, the vet had warned me about this reaction, as it was a human medication obtained from a regular pharmacy. The bitterness and exposure of the inner part when cut into quarters made it unpalatable.
I tried various methods, such as coating it with petroleum jelly, which he loves, or hiding it in a DIY pill pocket. However, he would eat around the pill, and it wouldn’t go down. We avoided using real pill pockets, as the outcome would likely be the same. Additionally, the common trick of throwing the pill to the back of the cat’s throat was not an option for my cat, Athos, and I was concerned about the foaming if the pill touched his tongue.
Then, I had a solution. Knowing that cats are lactose intolerant, I used lactose-free butter, which I also needed for myself. I created lactose-free butter balls around the pills, molding the butter around them to form a small, easy-to-swallow butter ball with a pill in the center.
To prevent the butter from melting, I would place these butter balls in the fridge to harden. I made four at a time to avoid the need to make them individually each time and wait for them to harden.
When it was time to feed him, he would lick the butter ball, and typically, he would get the whole thing in his mouth and swallow it in one go, especially if I topped it with some of his favorite kibble. He would then gobble up the entire mixture without hesitation.
To make it more appealing, I would sprinkle some Purina Fortiflora Probiotics for Cats on top as my cat loved the taste. Sweet! Sometimes the pill would melt a bit and the cat would get the butter around it. So, I made sure it got the whole thing down. Usually, it was super easy and I just had to be careful that none of the bitter-tasting sides of the pill were exposed while the cat was licking the butter balls. ABSOLUTELY 100% USE LACTOSE FREE MILK. And try to find salt-free butter too. You don’t want your cat to have digestive issues from this.
Give this a try if your cat won’t take a pill, even a bitter one like my cat Athos had to take. Your Turn: Thoughts on Cats That Won’t Take Pills? Have you ever had a cat who wouldn’t take a pill? Ever figured out a way to make it work? What type of things did you try? What ended up working in the end? Would love to hear your thoughts and stories on this topic in the comments section down below!
