One of my cats was recently diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Luckily, this disease is often successfully treated with regular medications. As long as the pills work, my kitty will gain some weight and avoid surgery. I am keeping my fingers crossed. The vet has me giving him a pill twice a day. This is not an easy task. Kitties have fangs, and they like to use them. Here are some ways to give your cat a pill without sustaining any life-threatening injuries.
Hide the pill in wet food.
This trick works well for cats that devour their food. Watch your cat carefully, if he doesn't chew all of his bites, then there is a good chance you'll be able to sneak a pill inside. Ground wet food works the best for this. I always start by putting a small amount in his bowl. I add the pill and cover it up with the food. He thinks he is getting a gourmet meal, but I know what's really inside. Once he finishes this tiny appetizer, I give him the rest of his dinner.
Mash the pill up in milk.
I discovered this technique one night when I was out of wet food. Using a mortal and pestle, I ground up his tiny pill. I mixed the powder into a small bowl of milk, well actually heavy cream (I'm sure he felt spoiled). He lapped up every last drop, leaving behind no trace of the mashed up pill.
Buy a pill pocket treat.
If all else fails, you can always purchase some pill pockets for your kitty. Pet food stores sell a variety of these pill-camouflaging treats. My personal favorite is Feline Greenies® Pill Pockets® Treats. These are pricey, but all of my pets love them. You simply push the pill into the hole, and give kitty the treat. I guarantee that even the most finicky feline will swallow his meds.
There is no reason to lose a finger giving kitty his pills, so try out these methods. If you have another idea, please share it!