Pets

How to give your cat a tablet

Getting your cat to do something unwillingly is a challenge few owners look forward to and giving your cat a tablet is unfortunately one of those! Knowing how to approach this in the best way will minimise stress to both you and your cat. It’s helpful to have everything you need before-hand, so you aren’t fumbling around once you have your cat in your grasp. Here’s a step by step guide: Gentle but safe restraint of your cat is important. It’s always helpful if there are two of you – one to gently restrain your cat and the other to administer the tablet.

Restraining your cat Place your cat on a non-slip surface – either a table or the floor. Allow your cat to sit upright, facing away from you. Place both hands to the side of your cat above their elbows, gently restraining them so they cannot get away.

Restraining your cat using a towel This is particularly useful if you are doing this on your own. Lay down a medium-sized, soft towel on a flat surface. Place your cat on top, facing away from you. Gently wrap one corner of the towel around your cat, then the other. Make sure the towel fits snuggly around your cat’s neck. It’s important to ensure they cannot get their front legs out of the opening – this is how they will escape.

Giving the tablet You need to be quick, but calm to prevent your cat from becoming stressed. Always be prepared before-hand and whenever possible, have someone to help. Approach your cat from the side. Hold the tablet between your thumb and forefinger of one hand. Place your other hand on your cat’s head and extend your thumb and forefinger to the corners of its mouth Tilt your cat’s head upwards. Using the middle finger of the hand holding the tablet, pull the lower jaw down and swiftly insert the tablet into the back of the mouth, to the centre of the tongue, as far back as you can see. Hold your cat’s mouth closed for a few seconds and gently massage the throat to encourage swallowing. If necessary, repeat your attempt at getting the pill down, but only as long as your cat is not distressed. If your cat becomes overly upset, leave this task for another day.

Pill poppers These can be helpful and some people prefer using these rather than their hands. In this case, Buster pill-givers with a soft tip are recommended.

The most important thing to remember is, to stay calm and if your cat becomes distressed, stop and try again later. When your cat is due his/her next tablet, you could book an appointment with a veterinary nurse. They are more than happy to show you how to perform this task. n vetsmiths.co.uk Care home canines bid to be top dog

Prize pooches were on parade as a Dorset care home held a charity dog show. Colten Care’s Brook View in West Moors staged the event as a fun experience for residents and to raise funds to help disabled people in the community. Staff and residents’ families were invited to bring their pets along to enter classes such as Loveliest Lady, Most Fabulous Fella and Waggiest Tail. To help with the judging, team members invited dog lover Patricia Upshall to cast her expert eye over the competitors. After declaring Maison as winner of the Fabulous Fella category, Patricia, who used to breed Dachshunds and belonged to the Kennel Club, said: “It was a different experience to what I’m used to, but it was great fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole afternoon.” Also among the competitors was Ellie the greyhound, Brook View’s new Pets as Therapy dog. Brook View’s companionship team leader Sarah Moule said: “Our last community dog show was a couple of years ago and we have been so keen to welcome back such happy, family-friendly events. “Our residents love dogs. They really help to bring joy and company to people.” The show was held in support of The Friends of Dolphin, a charity that provides free boat rides from Poole Harbour for people with disabilities.

DOGGONE IT: From left, Brook View’s new Pets as Therapy dog, pictured with owner Amanda Windsor, resident Rosa Leicester with beautiful Bella and resident judge Patricia Upshall, right, with Fabulous Fella Maison and owner Julie Moore

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