When your Ragdoll cat gets sick it may be necessary for you to administer medication on a daily basis in the form of pills. Getting your Ragdoll cat to swallow a pill can be an extremely difficult task; cats are not as gullible as dogs, you cannot simply wrap the pill in a treat and expect your cat to swallow it. Here are tips to help you get your Ragdoll to swallow a pill.
You will have a much easier time medicating your Ragdoll cat if you have another person assist you. Having a second person restrain your cat while you administer the pill is the best scenario. To start the process, have your Ragdoll cat sitting down in front of you while your assistant holds him or her in place from behind to prevent squirming. If you are attempting this maneuver by yourself try sitting down at the end of your sofa; you can sandwich your Ragdoll between yourself and the arm of your sofa to restrict his or her movement.
To administer the medication, palm your cat’s head by placing your hand over the crown of their head. Point your Ragdoll cat’s nose upward towards the ceiling and use your other had to pry open your cat’s mouth. Once you are able to place your index finger in your cat’s mouth he or she will open and you can insert the pill. Put the pill as far in as you can; gently insert the pill and hold your Ragdoll’s mouth shut for fifteen seconds. While you are holding your Ragdoll cat’s mouth shut rubbing the throat in a gentle circular motion will induce swallowing of the pill.
Your Ragdoll may spit up the medication the first time you try this. It may take a time or two before your cat swallows the pill. If your Ragdoll continues to spit up the medication you may not be placing the pill far enough in the back of your cat’s mouth. With a little patience you will get the hang on administering medication without stressing yourself or your Ragdoll cat.
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