Cats and Medicine

Everything that lives can become ill at some point in their lifespan, including our beloved pets. I have two cats of my own and we are all fortunate that they have been healthy for most of their lives. Until recently when my oldest cat became ill and had to see a veterinarian. Where we were told she had a form of cancer. We then had two options, medications or radiation therapy, to give her treatments. Given the price of the radiation therapy, my budget forced me to give the medications to my cat. You know how some people are stubborn about taking medicine; try that with sharp teeth and claws.

The usual diet of my beloved feline friends is what I call an ‘all in one’ dry biscuit diet. This the diet, supplemented with fresh food, I used for over 10 years and it kept my cats happy and healthy. My dilemma now has to add medication to her diet two times a day. I soon found out if the medication was hidden in something she found very tasty, she would eat it. It sounded great but to no surprise she wouldn’t eat the whole tablets. I then tried crushing the pill and put it in some tasty treats for the cat. I worked every time. That was the key; the pill must be crushed in order to get the cat to eat it.

Another little trick I learned along the way put the crushed medicine on just a small portion of the normal amount she is used to getting. If the small portion of food is offered before the rest of the meal, the cat is going to get her medicine, all of it. Once the medicine portion is eaten, the cat may finish her meal.

When a pill in tablet form is crushed, it turns into powder. The easiest way I have found to crush the cats medicine is the two spoon method. Put the tablet in the bigger spoon, then using the edge of the smaller spoon to break the tablet into smaller pieces. Now, using the back of the smaller spoon, crush the pieces of tablet into a fine powder. In just a few minutes, the tablet is ready to be sprinkled on the cat’s dinner. After doing this a couple of times, it gets easy.

This is how I recommend preparing chicken or fish for pill time:
Cold, cooked chicken is not only one of my cats favorite treats; it’s also easy to prepare.

Preparing Cooked Chicken

Chilled cooked chicken is one of cat’s favorite foods; therefore it makes an excellent choice to hide medication. Even the pickiest cats don’t turn down the chance to eat chicken. After making sure the pill is crushed to powder form as instructed, put aside for use later. When chicken has cooled to room temperature, break a small piece into tiny pieces. Breaking the chicken up in small pieces seems to work better when you use your hands. Once the chicken is broken up, coat the meat with a small amount of water. Drain all the excess water from the chicken pieces and the plate or bowl. If too much water is left, the medicine will puddle on the bottom of the plate and the cat will not eat it. The next step is if the chicken is out of the refrigerator and isn’t at room temperature. Place meat in microwave for around 5 or 6 seconds, just enough to warm the chicken and not make it hot. If the cat does eat hot food, it will burn the cats tongue. Most cats won’t eat anything hot anyway. Now that the chicken is warm, you can sprinkle the crushed pill on the treat and serve to the cat.

Note: Put the crushed pill on the chicken LAST!

Preparing Raw Fish

There is another option for food to administer medicine besides chicken. Raw fish will also cover the smell of medicine. Cats are very picky so make sure the cat that needs the medicine will eat raw fish. With my two cats, one will eat raw fish anytime; the other will smell it then walk away.

Start by testing the cat with the raw fish that you are planning to use to hide the medication. If the cat is ready for the fish, prepare it to use for the crushed pill. With a pair of kitchen scissors, cut the fish into small bite sized pieces. A sharp knife can also be used, but if the skin of the fish to too tough to cut with the knife, try scissors. Once the raw fish is cut into small pieces, coat with water and drain if the fish is dry. Cover the fish in the medicine and offer it to the cat.

Preparing Cooked Fish

The preparation of cooked fish is very similar to the process for the cooked chicken. Cook a small amount of fish and break up in to little chunks. Warm the cooked fish if it was stored in the refrigerator by placing in the microwave for five to six seconds, don’t make the fish hot. Coat the fish with the powdered tablet and serve to the cat.

Note: Always add the pill LAST!

Another good reason for warming food for a few seconds in the microwave is to bring out the aroma of the food. It helps in covering the smell of the medication, therefore encouraging the cat to eat the food that has medicine on it.

If the medicine is going to be given to the cat by offering it raw fish, a small amount can be purchased at any local food market. Cooked fish from a restaurant is also a reasonable choice to cover the smell and taste of the cats medication. Keep in mind with restaurant fish, it may be coated with batter or spices that may not be very good for the cat. In that case, just remove the coating and run under water. If the fish has spices, rinse it with water. Also remember to let the cooked fish get to room temperature or warm in the microwave before adding the medication.

Never put medication in the microwave. It can damage the active ingredients; sometimes even make it toxic to the animal.

For those that were wondering, my older cats name is Eff-Gee(F G) and she knows what time she gets her treat with her medicine. She even asks for it every 12 hours. The other cat, the one who doesn’t like fish, is Sox. He actually prefers the biscuit food over any of the treats, with or without medicine.