Pilling a cat—at what point is it cruelty?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone had to give their cat a lot of pills for a long time? Our 10 year old cat was diagnosed with late stage heart disease. He’d never been ill before. He’s now on something like 6 or 7 medications twice a day. We give them all at once with a pill device. They are small— some are halves and quarters. It’s incredibly stressful for him and I’m questioning whether it’s worth it. He’s now mostly hiding except at meal times but they do make him feel better.

[Anonymous]

Put him out of his misery.

[Anonymous]

Can you smash the pills to powder and mix them with a pouch of Whiskas or something like that?

Whiskas is like McDonalds for my cat. She doesn't get it often because she's chubby and it isn't good for her, but she is SO EXCITED when she does get a pouch. She hasn't realized it usually contains medicine when she gets it.

[Anonymous]

Is the medication lengthening his life or taking away pain? What happens if you just stop the meds (but don’t put him down)?

[Anonymous]

I found a bag like this to be a big help. https://www.amazon.com/wintchuk-Grooming-Restraint-Bathing-Trimming/dp/B0837LH773/ref=asc_df_B0837LH773/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416713034141&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10385554698113103520&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027116&hvtargid=pla-885960473253&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=92223074285&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416713034141&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10385554698113103520&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027116&hvtargid=pla-885960473253

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I found a bag like this to be a big help. https://www.amazon.com/wintchuk-Grooming-Restraint-Bathing-Trimming/dp/B0837LH773/ref=asc_df_B0837LH773/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=416713034141&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10385554698113103520&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027116&hvtargid=pla-885960473253&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=92223074285&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=416713034141&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10385554698113103520&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1027116&hvtargid=pla-885960473253

Why do this to your cat every day for pills? He will hate you. Agree with the PP who sai if they are to lengthen his life —forget it. Don’t give them. If for palliative/pain relief—put him down.

[Anonymous]

What about pill pouches?

[Anonymous]

Just don't give him the pills and let him live out his life. Or decide which one or two is the best for his quality of life.

[Anonymous]

Pill pushers are really lousy compared with skill in getting the pills all-the-way-back to the rear of the cat’s mouth, then gently clamping their jaw and stroking their throat to induce swallowing. It is not hard to learn but it is not easy either. We used to give ours a lick of butter to warm up and more between doses and at the end. Powdering the pills and mixing with something sounds like a good idea too. If you’re having to resort to a kitty straightjacket, you’re trying too hard and the cat will see it coming and fight even more. PP’s who advocate letting nature take its course if necessary are on the mark too. But try looking up how to do the job right on YouTube. If you can develop the knack it will work much better than the pusher device.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Put him out of his misery.

I would have said it with kinder words, but OP, it is time for a talk with the vet.

[Anonymous]

Hmm...most medicines can be made in a liquid form - if you are in the DC area - Brookville Pharmacies do it!

Or crush it up and put it in his favorite food - if he's still eating.

I had a cat who was a pain in the arse to give pills too - but he lived a long life to age 19 so it was worth it. But, knowing when to say goodbye is the hardest thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put him out of his misery.

I would have said it with kinder words, but OP, it is time for a talk with the vet.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Put him out of his misery.

I would have said it with kinder words, but OP, it is time for a talk with the vet.

How is that unkind? Time for euthanasia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pill pushers are really lousy compared with skill in getting the pills all-the-way-back to the rear of the cat’s mouth, then gently clamping their jaw and stroking their throat to induce swallowing. It is not hard to learn but it is not easy either. We used to give ours a lick of butter to warm up and more between doses and at the end. Powdering the pills and mixing with something sounds like a good idea too. If you’re having to resort to a kitty straightjacket, you’re trying too hard and the cat will see it coming and fight even more. PP’s who advocate letting nature take its course if necessary are on the mark too. But try looking up how to do the job right on YouTube. If you can develop the knack it will work much better than the pusher device.

+1
The right technique is key. Also +1 to the tasty snack approach.

[Anonymous]

Churu. Buy it on Amazon. It is magic. Our cat is being treated for FIP with an experimental drug and is on 9 pills 2x a day. The pills have to be administered while fasting so we can't just mix them into food. We put a drop of Churu on each pill and he gobbles it like a treat. He actually comes running when he hears the pill container open because he knows something tasty is coming.

A relative recently had to give pills to her cat who is an aggressive psycho on a good day. Trying to burrito-wrap him would probably end up with IV antibiotics. I suggested Churu and she said it worked like a charm. I don't know what's in that stuff but it's like cat crack. There's like 10+ flavors and I haven't come across one yet that our cat doesn't like.

Either that or Delectables Squeeze-Ups. But I know more people who've used Churu successfully.