How to Give a Cat a Pill

Getting a feline to do anything unwillingly is a challenge few owners look forward to. Here is a guide to how to give a cat a pill while minimising stress to you and your cat.

Giving a cat a pill is one of those tasks cat owners keep their fingers crossed they won’t have to do too often. But unfortunately, there are times when you need to give them important medication. It’s not as easy as it sounds: there are claws and teeth you need to stay clear of, and cats are experts at spitting out pills.

What to consider before giving your cat tablets

Before we get to our tips on how to give a cat a pill, the first thing you should do is check with your vet for any restrictions on how the medication should be administered. Certain pills can be mixed with food, while others must not be. Some pills can be crushed or divided, but others cannot as this could risk damaging your cat’s oesophagus or stomach. This is because the medication will no longer be protected by the outer coating of the pill. Knowing this information can help you decide on the best way to give your cat the tablet. 

Once you’ve established what you can and can’t do with your cat’s medication, there are a few methods to get past those feline defences and give your cat the pill.

What’s the easiest way to give a pill to a cat? 

Depending on the type of medication, you can easily give a pill to your cat is by hiding it in food. This could be in wet cat food, in a bit of tuna or with a treat but make sure it’s a small amount so they’re bound to eat it.

What happens if my cat spits out their pill?

Some cats are clever and spit out the pill whilst they’re eating. To make sure they’re swallowing it, check the food they’ve eaten and stay with them whilst they eat. If they continue to spit the pill out, try another method.

Other than this, a good way to administer cat pills is by hand. Read on to find out more.

How to give your cat a pill: 5 easy and scratch-free methods to try.

There are some other methods to can try when giving your cat a pill which will (hopefully) leave you scratch-free! See the five ways we list below.

Use a pill popper

This device removes the need to place your fingers in the cat’s mouth, but can damage the back of their throat if used incorrectly. Only use a pill popper if you have been shown safe technique by a vet or vet nurse. Put the pill in the device and push down the plunger to release the tablet in their mouth. Try it first with a few treats to allow your cat to get used to the new delivery system.

Give their medication with food

If the vet advises that mixing the medication with food is possible, choose your cat’s favourite treat and sneak the pill in. Make sure the treats are small enough so that the cat won’t have to chew it. Give them their treat, followed by the pill itself and another treat. Avoid putting medication in your cat’s food bowl as you cannot be sure they will consume it. The tablet could dissolve over time, or be spat out. This also risks other household pets eating the meal and taking medication which is not prescribed for them and can be dangerous.

Use a pill crusher

In cases where the pill can be combined with food, another way to deliver the medication is in powder form mixed in with a small portion of their usual diet or with a little water. Use a pill-crusher device to make sure the dosage stays the same and you won’t lose part of it in the process. Make certain that your cat is eating the food that contains the crushed medication, as otherwise you will need to try an alternative method. As discussed above, do not allow other household pets to consume medication that is not prescribed for them.

Ask for alternatives

For cats that won’t accept a pill in any shape or form, some medication is also available in other forms such as oral liquids or veterinary injections. Unfortunately, some medications do not have good alternatives, but it always worth asking your vet what options are available.

Give them the pill by hand

If all else fails, you can try to give your cat a pill by hand. For this method, you’ll need a bit of patience as you’ll be manually placing the pill in their mouth. But don’t worry, we have a 10-step guide to how to do this safely below. 

How to give a cat a pill by hand in 10 steps

Knowing how to give a cat a pill can be difficult. So, here’s a step-by-step guide to administering medication to your cat by hand.

6 safety tips when giving a cat a pill

• If your cat scratches or doesn’t like being held, try wrapping their body and legs in a towel, allowing only their head to remain exposed.
• Always hold over the top of their head to reduce the risk of being bitten.
• If your cat is particularly unruly, get another person to hold them while you administer the pill.
• If you or your cat are getting stressed, stop and give them a few treats and gently stroke and soothe them before trying again.
• If you get bitten by your cat, contact your GP for advice. Cat’s teeth harbour nasty bacteria which can cause an infection.

Giving a cat a pill is a different experience with every individual. Some cats can be reasonably cooperative, while other felines will be much feistier. If your cat is the latter, make sure you keep calm and handle your cat gently.

If your cat gets particularly upset and there is no way you can convince them to swallow the pill, contact the vet to let them know that your cat is not taking the medication. It is important that the vet practice is aware if a cat is not taking prescribed treatment. Depending on the underlying reason for the medication, it could cause a significant health problem if your cat does not take essential pills. A vet will be able to advise what alternatives are available, and whether a vet visit is needed.

We hope this article on giving a cat a pill was helpful! Next, see why it’s important to give your cat regular vet check-ups with our article.