by Karen Bledsoe

Created on: February 13, 2008   Last Updated: April 25, 2010

Every day in our household it's a new and exciting episode of, "Get the pill into the cat without getting mauled!" Licorice, our two-year-old neutered kitty boy, is a big bundle of love outside, but a mean son-of-a-gun inside, which is one reason he gets a daily pill for his overly-aggressive territorial tendencies. He's also all fangs and claws at the vet, and has to be sedated before he gets even a simple check-up. I've known other folks who would rather have an aggressive cat put down than bother to medicate and train him, but I'm not one to put a healthy cat down if I can help it. When I take in a pet, it's for life.

Still, "mean son-of-a-gun" and "pill" generally don't go well together, especially when the pill is a foul, bitter one that has to go down whole. But after months of practice, both Licorice and I are getting better at this routine.

So how do you get a pill into a cat who really, really doesn't want to take it? Here are a few strategies:

The Full-Frontal Sneak Attack
With pill in hand and a tub of dehydrated tuna flakes, Licorice's favorite treat, or a full plate of food, I approach from the front. I set the tuna tub or food down where it immediately gets his attention, then seize him from the front, wrapping one hand around the back of his head. With the other I quickly pry open his mouth to the tune of his flute-like growls, drop the pill past the back of his tongue, and down it goes. Distract him with tuna flakes, and he's back to being happy again. For a cat who has never been "pilled" before, this often works, because in the surprise of getting a lumpy thing dumped down their throat, they often obediently swallow and it's all over.

But once in a while I miss, which may lead to:

The Mummy Wrap From Behind
If the frontal assault fails, Licorice is on the alert and isn't about to part his fangs for that nasty little pill. This requires physical restraint, because now he'll have his claws out and shred any hand that tries to hold his head. If wrapped in a towel, his claws are confined. If I'm alone, I hold the angry kitty between my knees and from behind, attempt to get the pill in his mouth. It's a lot harder to aim when I'm behind the cat, so it's useful to have a helper to hold the cat while I brave those fangs in front.

But if Licorice is just too ticked off, this isn't going to work. His jaws will clamp shut and there's no way to get a pill into him. If that's the case, there's nothing to do but let him go and let him cool down a bit. As

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