1) Setup

The right setup helps to make it easier for you and reduce the stress for the cat.

Find a place and a position you feel comfortable in. In general there are two positions:

• sitting on the floor, providing more restriction for the cat

• standing with less restriction and the possibility to be more flexible.

There is no right or wrong to it. When I started pilling cats I preferred to sit on the floor. My resident cat doesn't like to be restricted, so I have moved to a standing position.

Choosing a position depends on your cat's and your own preferences.

2) Hide the pill

Pills often taste horrible which of course will not increase the cat's willingness to cooperate. You can eliminate this by putting the pill in a gelatin capsule, a pill pocket or in pill wrap. Pill pockets and wraps come in different flavors. I recommend feeding those prior to the actual pilling so you know which one your cat likes.

3) Reward

Always have your cat's favorite treat right next to you. This way you can override the negative experience. My own cat never gets his favorite treat unless he has to take a pill. He thinks that the treat is totally worth taking a pill. We have a deal.

4) Go through the motions before the actual pilling

If this is your first time pilling a cat it might be helpful to go through the motions before you actually execute. Find out whether you prefer being behind the cat or to either side. Get comfortable holding the cat's face and know how to open the cat's mouth.

Don't forget to reward your cat after every turn. You might even want to consider taking a break.

I sometimes start a pilling session with a treat to reduce the anxiety level.

5) The mindset

I found that the human's mindset matters. When I feel sorry for the cat because I have to do something the cat won't like or if I worry that this will reflect badly on my relationship with the cat, the pilling is actually harder because the cat is more defensive.

If I am worried, the cat will read my body language and will know that something is wrong. And therefore the cat will think that it would be unwise to participate.

If I focus my thinking on the benefit of the pill, on the fact that the cat will feel better, on the fact that it is me who will help the cat to feel better, then my body language is very different and the cat will be less alert.

6) Toweling

Some cats had bad experiences before they met you. In this case they might use their paws to make you go away. You can avoid this by wrapping your cat in a towel. The bigger the towel the easier it is for you.

7) Execute it

I bend my cat's neck back. The advantage is that they can't take off and the further I bend the neck the easier the mouth opens.

My cat doesn't enjoy the action but he is not stressed. He stayed with me after the pilling was over (he could have chosen to take off) his tail was up and he was anticipating his favorite treat.