How to Give a Pill to a Cat: 5 Tips for an Easier Low-Stress Experience

If you have ever had to give your cat a pill and found it challenging, you are not alone. Although the pill may be tiny, getting your cat to cooperate can sometimes become a big task.

When your cat needs medication, the last thing you want is for every dose to become a stressful experience for both of you. The good news is that it does not have to be this way.

The goal is not simply to get the medication into your cat. The goal is to find a way that keeps your cat healthy while making the experience as easy and low stress as possible.

Here are five of my favorite ways to make giving a pill to your cat a little easier.

1. Hide the pill in a treat to give a pill to a cat

I have found that Greenies Pill Pockets in the salmon flavor work well for many cats. Take half a Pill Pocket per pill, place the pill inside, and pinch it tightly around the medication. Using less can actually make it harder for your cat to separate the treat from the pill and push the medication back out of their mouth. The key is to make sure the pill is completely enclosed and the treat is pinched tightly around the entire pill. 

2. Trick them with their favorite treat

Some cats are too smart for a Pill Pocket. If your cat knows that the suspicious little treat you are offering contains medicine, it may be time for a bait and switch trick. 

Cats getting a pill.

Take a small amount of Pill Pocket and use it to cover the pill as described above. Then press the pill covered piece onto one of your cat's favorite treats. The Pill Pocket acts like edible glue.

Start by giving your cat one or two pieces of the favorite treat without medication. Then sneak in the treat containing the pill. Finish with another treat without medication.

The goal is to make the medicated treat just one part of a very rewarding snack routine.

3. Try a Medication “Milkshake”

Some medications can be opened or crushed and mixed into a small amount of liquid or a lickable treat. This can be a great option for cats who refuse whole pills. However, not every medication can be altered safely, so always ask your veterinarian first. They can let you know whether the medication can be opened or crushed and whether mixing it with food or liquid is an option. 

I especially like using a small amount of a very tasty slurry treat, such as Churu, when the medication can safely be given this way. Cat food toppers and broths are other good options. The important thing is to use a small enough amount of food that you know your cat will finish the entire portion.

4. Ask your veterinarian about a different formulation

If pilling your cat is becoming a daily struggle and the options above do not work, this may be the best solution.

Compounding pharmacies can sometimes make medications in different forms that are much easier to give. Depending on the medication, it may be possible to change the size, flavor, or form of the medication.

Some medications can be made into a liquid. Others may be available in a flavored treat that your cat will accept more easily. For certain medications, a transdermal formulation may be an option that is applied to the skin or inner ear and absorbed through the skin.

5. Direct pilling or using a pill gun

Sometimes there is no way around it - your cat is simply too smart for all of our best tricks. In these situations, direct pilling or a pill gun can be effective, but technique matters. The goal is to make the process quick, confident, and as gentle as possible.

For particularly wiggly cats, gentle restraint can make the process easier and safer. You can create a kitty burrito by wrapping your cat snugly in a towel, keeping their head exposed. I also like the Calm & Cozy Cat Wrap, a purpose designed wrap that gently contains the cat while leaving their head accessible. It can be a helpful option for cats who need a little extra support staying still during medication administration.

If you need to give a pill directly, ask your veterinarian or veterinary technician to show you the technique. They can teach you how to safely position and secure your cat, use a pill gun, or give the pill by hand while minimizing the risk of a bite. Depending on the medication, a small amount of an appropriate lubricant may also make the pill easier to swallow.

One important tip: do not leave your cat with a dry pill sitting in their mouth. Pills can become lodged in the esophagus and cause irritation. Ask your veterinarian whether you should follow the medication with a small amount of water or food, which can help move the pill into the stomach.

A final tip: know when to stop

If every attempt ends with you and your cat frustrated, it is okay to stop.

Your cat does not know that you are trying to help them. They only know that something unpleasant is happening. Repeated stressful experiences can make future medication even harder.

Give your cat a chance to calm down, reward them when possible, and talk with your veterinarian about other options.

Need help giving your cat medication?

At Philly Cat Vet, we know that giving medication to a cat is not always as simple as it sounds. During an in-home visit, we can help you develop a medication routine that works for both you and your cat, demonstrate pilling techniques, and discuss whether another medication formulation might be a better fit.

Need help? Book a house call with Philly Cat Vet and let us help make medication time a little easier.