Giving the Cat a Pill Being Pregnant

PILL POCKETS! Single greatest invention, ever! I just had to keep my cat indoors for two weeks (he's an outdoor cat) and give him a round of antibiotics. Without the pill pockets, it could have been a nightmare.

Cats are too smart for the 'hide it in the food' trick. It takes two of us (usually my daughter and myself and she's 12) to do it. I hold her and then pry her mouth open, my daughter puts the pill in her the back of her mouth, I clamp her mouth shut while massaging her throat so she'll swallow. Works most of the time but not always ;) The pill shouldn't harm you or baby unless it's for cancer or something like that. Wash well after doing it. Good luck!

If you really have concerns about the medication crossing your skin and somehow affecting your child, wear latex gloves. You can buy a package of 100 for very little money. They are good to have around for various projects and clean up disasters anyway. But, I think realistically, you are overthinking the medical risks. Most veterinary medicines are not meant to be absorbed topically. Give the cat the pills, enjoy your pregnancy, and relax a little. :)

Well, as I see it there are 2 ways to go about this. Either hold your hubby capable, or put on some gloves and do it yourself.

Good luck!

Hi MW,

Congrats on your pregnancy.

Touching the cat's meds should not harm your fetus. But isn't it interesting that the cat doesn't want to take its meds? You might try looking for a vet who uses homeopathy (there are quite a few of them out there). Cats will happily take a homeopathic remedy that's been selected for them, even when they won't take herbs or pharmaceuticals. Their instincts may be sharper than ours!

Try mashing it up and mixing it in to some fish oil. You can use the little medicine droppers from the store to shoot it back in to the back of the throat where they can't get it back up. A little at a time.
Worse comes to worse, if you have been advised to not touch the medication, then get some rubber or disposable gloves and use those.

HI there,
open the cats mouth and throw the pill in the back of the throat. Rub the cats neck quickly and the cat should be forced to swallow it. That's how I used to do it years ago. It always worked. Rubbing the neck usually confused the cat.
Oh, I don't think touching the pill will harm your baby.
Good luck!

This is funny. Well, I would try teaching your technique to your husband, seems like mission impossible (if he's anything like my husband, he can't handle anything small), but he seems motivated enough. When I was pregnant I tried to stay clear from the cat, starting with and beyond the litter duty (some people would hint I needed to get rid of him--no way!). That made a lot of sense also once the baby was home. As for if it's harmful for the baby for you to touch the pill, check the label, or ask your doctor (it might not be a big deal) but if you're concern, gloves come to mind. Good luck with this, and Happy Thanksgiving! :0)

Just to be sure I would ask your Dr. if it is safe for you to do. And whatever you do dont change the cats litter box when you are pregnant! Very toxic and could potentially be harmful to the fetus. Definitely let your husband take that job.

Hello!

I doubt handling the pill will harm your baby. Get some latex gloves if it makes you feel better and just wash your hands real good after handling the pills.

But when we traveled with our cat on the airplane earlier this year, our vet prescribed a pill to help sedate her for the flight. She suggested we also use a small syringe and put some water in it. We put the pill to the back of the cats throat and quickly squirted the water in to her mouth so she had no choice but to swallow. The pill never came out.

If you don't have children yet, go to the pharmacy at any store and ask them for a little medicine syringe thing and they can give you one for free.

Good luck!

-Char

Our cat is on medication every day due to a chronic condition. We crush the pill and mix with a small amount of wet cat food - that way no hand;ling the pill and he eats it all - we crush with a spoon or knife and mix the pill with food on a separate plate from regular food - so we know he ate it all.

I had the same problem when I was pregnant. I bought a box of disposable gloves to keep my skin from touching the medicine. Completely cover the pill in butter before you for force feed. Works best if you let the pill-butter-ball get cold again in the fridge before you administer.

What's the medication? There are some things you shouldn't touch while pregnant, but others may not cause a problem. Another option is to buy some disposable surgical type gloves which are tight-fitting and still allow you the dexterity of bare hands.

They make these pill treats for cats. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the product. I believe that you can only get it from Petco or Petsmart. It's in a green package and I think it has a chicken flavor. Our cat had no problem taking the pill that way.

Frist ask your obgyn dr first then just take the pill and stuff it down her throat it warks

Hi MW,
I really had to smile with your question..giving the cat a pill is soooo hard...Our cat has a pill every other night forever, and he is STILL fighting it.
No, I don't think you touching the pills would be a problem, but when in doubt, get a box of one use (2 id kitty is calm) gloves, latex? then you don't have to worry.
BTW, we tried hide it in food too...never thought our cat could figure out how to take ALL of the food off the pill and leave the slightly soggy pill on the floor.
Gppod luck!

Might want to call your doctor before touching veterinary medications.

There are only a few meds that enter through skin contact. I think one is viagra. Unless it says on the label that pregnant women should not touch it, you should be fine. Check with the vet or a doc to be sure if you like.

The only thing the doctor ever told me to really avoid with the cat is the pan cleaning. As for touching the meds as long as you wash your hands immediately after giving it to her and not touching your face mouth or eyes i think you will be fine.

Get some "Pill Pockets" from Petco or Petsmart, they come in two flavors. They are like an open pillowcase you put the pill into. My oldest cat gets high blood pressure meds every day and he loves these (thank goodness). If this is only for a short time, try putting the pill in between a couple of the softer, moist kitty treats - maybe split in half first. Good luck!

I think that if you quickly give the pill and then wash your hands, you'll be fine. You can always buy latex gloves if you're really worried about it. I don't think that the medicine from a pill will really seep in through your fingers and into your bloodstream. I have never heard of medication on the hands getting into your blood and affecting a fetus in any way.
Good luck!
K.
http://oc.citymommy.com

smash the pill up and put it in tuna fish...the cat will gobble it up hopefully..i wouldn't think the cat pill could harm u but ask your doc

It depends on what the med is... and your pharmacist can look it up and tell you very easily.

Same token though, using nitrile or latex gloves would solve the problem, if there turns out to be one.