How to Give Your Cat a Pill: From Hiss to Bliss

There are few things in life as humbling as trying to give a pill to a cat. 

One moment, you’re a competent, self-sufficient adult; the next, you’re locked in a psychological battle with a seven-pound dictator who just turned your simple act of veterinary care into a full-blown existential crisis. 

But don’t worry—medicating a cat is a skill you can master. With a little knowledge, preparation, and sheer force of will, you can outsmart your feline overlord—if you follow our step-by-step guide.

This step-by-step guide will show you how to successfully—and confidently—medicate your cat.

Learn more about feline medication for pet owners.

First, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your cat’s medication. Review the dosing instructions and any prescription information provided by your veterinarian. Getting familiar with the medication's size and shape, and how to use any tools—such as a plunger, pet piller, or pill popper—will help you feel at ease. It will also help you decide which tips or techniques to use for your one-of-a-kind cat.

This is also the time to ask your veterinarian any questions about your cat's medication. If your cat’s medicine is from Wedgewood, our caring team is also available to provide personalized support.

Set up for success by gathering all the supplies or tools you’ll need before you begin. The supplies you need will depend on your cat’s personality, condition, and medication, but may include:

• Your cat’s oral medication

• Canned or wet cat food, tuna,  or baby food (make sure it doesn’t contain xylitol, onion, or garlic)

• Cat treats

• Greenies™ Pill Pockets or similar treats for concealing medicine (cream cheese or soft meat, such as braunschweiger)

• Pill popper or pill gun

• Oral syringe with water

• A large, thick towel

• A quiet, distraction-free space where your cat is comfortable

Cats can sense fear and nervousness from a mile away, so you’ll need to be calm and confident when you medicate them.

The best way to do this is to first practice without your cat. Rehearsing the steps with a stuffed or imaginary cat can help you feel capable and in control. While it may seem silly to practice medicating your cat, it may help your cat to feel safer and more cooperative when it’s go-time.

Giving your cat’s medication in food is the least stressful method. However, you should always ask your veterinarian if it is safe to do so. Some medications can be given with any type of food, but others may be ineffective when given with dairy. And sometimes, medications must be given on an empty stomach. Finally, while some pills can be crushed or opened, others should be left intact.

Once you know that you can use food to give your cat a pill, you have two options:

• Hide the medication in canned food or tuna and serve it with your cat’s meal.

• Hide the medication in a special treat, such as a dab of cream cheese or a Pill Pocket

If you are giving your cat’s pill or capsule wrapped in a treat, try the sandwich method. This involves feeding your cat three identical treats, with the middle treat containing your cat’s medication. The first treat builds your cat’s trust, while the third treat encourages them to quickly swallow the second (medicated) treat.

Check out additional tips for getting your cat to take their medication.

If your cat’s medication can’t be given with food or your cat isn’t food-motivated, knowing how to pill a cat manually is an efficient and safe option. Manual pilling includes:

• Having the medication ready — Take the pill out of the bottle, so you don’t have to waste time opening it once your cat is ready.

• Wrapping your cat in a towel — Even if your cat is unlikely to bite or scratch, wrapping them in a towel or "kitty burrito” with only their head poking out can be helpful. Toweling protects you from your cat’s paws and makes them easier to hold, while the gentle pressure can reassure and calm your cat. You can find many helpful towel-wrapping tutorials online.

• Positioning your cat — If you are alone, you may want to hold your cat in your lap, against your body. If you have a helper, they can hold your cat in their lap or on a table or couch.

• Securing your cat’s head and opening their mouth — Use your non-dominant hand to steady your cat’s head from above, grasping the upper jaw gently with your thumb and index finger. With the medication in your dominant hand, use your middle finger to gently press down on the lower jaw along the incisors (middle teeth).

• Placing the pill at the back of your cat’s mouth — Using your fingers or a pill popper, release the pill or capsule at the back of your cat’s mouth.

• Confirming your cat swallows — Close your cat’s mouth and gently stroke their throat or blow on your cat’s nose to encourage their swallow reflex. If advised to do so, follow the pill or tablet with a small syringe of water.

• Rewarding your cat — Reward your cat for their cooperation with a cat treat or their favorite activity.

Additional reading: How to tell if your cat is in pain

If your cat resists taking a pill, or you are not comfortable pilling your cat, Wedgewood may offer compounding solutions, such as a transdermal or liquid form, that can help. While liquid medications don’t require putting your fingers in or near your cat’s mouth, manipulating the syringe and plunger can take practice.

• Know how to store and prepare the medication — Some liquid medications require refrigeration or must be shaken before dosing.

• Be gentle — Hold or wrap your cat as outlined above. Open your cat’s mouth slightly and insert the tip of the syringe between their premolars (the teeth behind the canines). 

• Depress the plunger using even pressure — If you squirt the medication into your cat’s mouth too quickly, they may inhale it instead of swallowing.

• Reward your cat with a treat or playtime — Cat treats and toys can help make medication time a positive experience.

Your cat’s health condition may make them more difficult to medicate, and excessive stress and anxiety may worsen their illness or cause additional pain. Stop and consult your veterinarian if your cat:

• Acts aggressively

• Drools or gags

• Refuses to eat

• Escapes their ‘kitty burrito’

• Hides or runs away

Your veterinarian may recommend bringing your cat back to the animal hospital for further evaluation or one-on-one coaching. When appropriate, they may also recommend ordering your cat’s medication through Wedgewood. With compounding, we may be able to provide customized medication options, including flavorful formulations and easy-to-apply transdermal preparations, to make medicating reluctant cats easier.

Learn how to read your cat’s body language.

We understand how tricky medicating cats can be, but with patience, practice, and the right approach, you can support your cat’s health while keeping stress to a minimum and preserving your special bond. Learn more about our feline-friendly dosage forms, including transdermal options and flavors, here.