How to Give a Cat a Pill Without Losing Your Mind

Cats are incredibly talented. They will always find the warmest spot in the house, they can hear a treat bag being opened three rooms away and they somehow disappear precisely when it is time to visit the veterinarian.

Most impressively, however, they can detect a tiny medication tablet hidden inside a perfectly innocent-looking piece of food.

If your cat has ever needed medication, you probably already know that giving them a pill can be a bit of an adventure. Fortunately, there are several methods you can try, but the best approach depends on your cat, the medication and just how determined your feline friend is to avoid it.

First Things First: Ask Your Vet

Before trying any sort of tricks to get your cat to take the pill, make sure you know exactly how the medication should be administered.

Some medications can be given with food, while others need to be taken on an empty stomach. Some tablets can be crushed or divided, while others should be given whole. Certain medications may also be available in liquid, compounded or other forms that are easier to administer.

Please note: you should never crush, split or dissolve a medication unless your veterinarian or pharmacist has confirmed that it is safe to do so.

Once you know exactly how the medication needs to be given, you can choose the method that works best for your cat.

Method #1: Hide It in a Treat

For some cats, the simplest solution is also the most successful: disguise the medication.

A small amount of wet food, a soft treat or a veterinarian-approved pill pocket can sometimes do the trick. The important word here is small. You don't want to hide a pill in an entire bowl of food only to discover that your cat ate around the medication and left it sitting at the bottom of the dish.

Some cats are also suspicious of anything that suddenly appears in their food. If that sounds familiar, you can try offering a few normal treats first, followed by the medicated one.

Just make sure the food or treat is appropriate for the medication and that your veterinarian has confirmed it can be given with food.

Method #2: The Pill Pocket

Commercial pill pockets are specifically designed to conceal medication inside a soft treat.

They can be particularly useful for cats who are enthusiastic about treats but less enthusiastic about pharmaceutical science.

The trick is making sure your cat actually consumes the entire treat. If they take one bite, discover the pill and proceed to perform an impressive bit of culinary archaeology to extract it, you may need to try another method. Remember: most medications are bitter in taste and your cat will not enjoy it!

Method #3: Give the Pill Directly

Sometimes there is simply no disguising the pill.

If the medication needs to be given directly, your veterinarian can show you the proper technique. Generally, the goal is to keep the experience calm, controlled and as quick as possible.

If your cat is particularly squirmy, having another person gently help hold them can make the process easier. A towel can also be used to gently wrap the body and keep paws from becoming involved in the process.

Be gentle and avoid forcing your cat into a struggle. If things are becoming stressful for either of you, stop and ask your veterinarian for help.

Method #4: Try a Pill-Giving Tool

A pill-giving device, sometimes called a pill gun or pill dispenser, can help place a tablet toward the back of the mouth without requiring you to put your fingers near your cat's teeth.

These devices can be useful, but they should be used carefully. Ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how to use one properly before trying it at home.

The goal isn't to launch the pill into your cat like a tiny pharmaceutical projectile. It is to administer the medication safely and calmly.

Method #5: Break it Up into Wet Food

One of the easiest methods to give a cat a pill is by crushing it up and mixing it into wet good with a little water as well.

As we mentioned earlier, pills can be quite bitter in flavour, and if you crush up a pressed pill or pour out a capsule, when mixed with wet food, sometimes cats can’t even tell the difference!

Special note: you should definitely add water to the wet food when mixing a pill in. It helps saturate the medication so it breaks down further into the food and mixes better.

Keep Things Calm

Cats are exceptionally good at picking up on our emotions.

If you're nervous, frustrated and chasing your cat around the house while holding a pill, there's a good chance you will never get them to take it.

Try to prepare everything ahead of time and approach your cat calmly.

Rewarding your cat afterward can also help create a more positive association with medication time. A favourite treat, some affection or a little play can turn the experience into something that ends on a positive note.

Better yet, if you can build it into a pre-existing feeding routine, it might not cause any headaches at all!