If you’ve ever had the misfortune to have a sick kitty who needs to take medication in the form of pills or tablets, you may have already experienced the challenge of convincing these sometimes-picky and always-crafty felines to take their meds without a fuss (or to take them at all!). We’ve created this handy video tutorial with four ways to give your cat a pill, along with some tips and tricks to help the process along. Check it out – we may be biased, but our lovely feline model Lazul is a show-stopper!
Looking for a quick reference guide? We’ve got you covered:
Method 1 || Pop It In The Mouth!
We know, we know… sometimes that’s easier said than done! But it also can be the quickest and easiest way to get those pills in if you have a fairly compliant cat and quick hands.
PRO TIP: Gently stroking your cat’s throat or blowing on their nose after administering the pill can encourage them to swallow.
Method 2 || Pill Popper
A pill popper makes it easier to quickly insert a pill. You can place it far back in your cat’s cheek pouch, protecting your fingers and making it harder for them to spit it out.
PRO TIP: This method will take practice – gently but firmly supporting your cat’s head and body will help.
Method 3 || Pill Pocket
If your cat likes treats, pill pockets can work well – they are soft hollow treats that you can tuck a pill inside and squish closed.
PRO TIP: A bonus to this method is it requires minimal handling – meaning less stress for both of you!
Method 4 || Wet Cat Food
Using wet food to coat the pill, offer a treat sandwich:
– bite of plain food
– treat-covered pill
– bite of plain food
This way the pill is less likely to be spotted!
PRO TIP: Choose a yummy wet food, but not what you normally feed – you don’t want to turn your cat off their main diet if they find the hidden pill.
If you are really struggling to get your cat to take their pills, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian for more advice – they may have an alternate method to suggest, or the medication may be available in an alternate form (such as a liquid or injectable).
