How to Give a Cat a Pill

Getting your cat to do anything you want them to do can be difficult. Cats are known for being independent, so asking them to take a pill can be a daunting task. Most people hope they won't have to ask their cat to do anything they don't want to do, including taking a pill, but knowing how to give cats pills is a crucial part of pet ownership.

Cats may need to take pills for a variety of reasons, including the treatment of worms, ear infections, and even anxiety.

There are many ways to give your cat a pill, but it's important to discuss pill safety and administration with your vet. For example, certain pills shouldn't be mixed with food or crushed up. Knowing how you can administer medication can make the process easier for you and your pet.

Follow this comprehensive to learn how to give a cat a pill.

• Considerations Before Giving Your Cat a Pill
• Giving Your Cat a Pill by Hand: Step-by-Step
• Safety Tips
• How To Give Your Cat A Pill: Alternative Options
• My Cat Won’t Take Pills, Now What?
• FAQs
• Final Notes

Considerations Before Giving Your Cat a Pill

Before giving your cat a pill, you should always consult your vet to ensure its safety and effectiveness. Your vet will provide specific instructions on dosage and timing of administration, as well as whether the medication should be given with or without food. They’ll also discuss potential side effects to watch for as well as proper storage and handling of the medication to maintain its efficacy.

Additionally, your vet can explore alternative treatment options if available, ensuring the best possible care for your feline friend.

Never give your cat a pill without first consulting your vet! They’ll assess your cat’s specific health needs, provide guidance, and ensure the well-being of your cat. Additionally, you should never give your cat another pet’s medication or human medication unless your vet gives you the okay.

Giving Your Cat a Pill by Hand: Step-by-Step

Whether it’s allergy medicine or an antibiotic, there will likely be some periods throughout your cat’s life where they’ll have to take medication in pill form.

Giving your cat medication by hand can be daunting, but with the right approach, you can do it safely while ensuring they get the medicine they need to stay healthy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you learn how to give a pill to a cat by hand:

Step 1: Create a Safe Environment to Handle Your Cat

Some cats don't like to be handled, especially when you're trying to force them to do something they don't want to do. When giving your cat a pill by hand, they should be calm. If your cat is stressed, they’ll associate the experience with negative feelings, making them less likely to accept the pill the next time you try.

Instead, make the environment feel calm and safe for them. Additionally, don't interrupt them when they're in the middle of important business like eating or using the litter box, since you don't want them upset going into the process.

It might also be helpful to have a second person with you to handle the cat. One person can help gently restrain the cat while the other person administers the medication.¹ Additionally, having two people around can ease your cat's anxiety and make the process more manageable.

Step 2: Gently Open Their Jaw and Administer the Pill

Once the cat is gently restrained, get the pill ready in one hand. Using your other hand, hold the top of the cat's head so that you can feel the cat's cheekbones with your fingertips. Next, gently tip your cat's head back and use your thumb and index finger to open their lower jaw.

Once your cat's mouth is open, put the pill in their mouth by placing it in the middle of their tongue, keeping your fingers away from their sharp teeth so they can't bite down. Once the pill is correctly placed, close the cat's mouth immediately and gently rub their throat to help them swallow the pill.²

Step 3: Check Your Cat's Mouth to Make Sure They Swallowed the Pill

It's always best to check your cat's mouth to ensure they've actually swallowed the pill. If your cat will let you, open their mouth again and make sure you still can't see the pill. Check the corner of their lips, too. If you can't see the pill, it's safe to assume that they have swallowed it.

Unfortunately, giving your cat a pill might not always be the easiest part of being a pet parent. If your cat hasn't swallowed the pill, and it's still on their tongue or in their mouth, you can try to close their mouth again and rub their throat. However, if your cat spits the pill out, you'll need to start over again.

Step 4: Reward Your Cat

Feeding a cat medication can be stressful, and it will probably never be fun for your cat. By rewarding your cat every time they successfully swallow a pill, you'll help them realize that taking pills gets a reward, making the experience smoother for both of you.

You can reward your cat in any way, including giving them their favorite cat toy, praising them, or giving them extra treats once they've swallowed their medication.

Safety Tips

Safety should always be a top priority when giving your cat a pill by hand. Here are some essential tips to help ensure a safe experience for you and your pet:

• Always wash your hands before and after handling medication to prevent the spread of germs.
• Use caution and gentle handling to avoid stress or injury to your cat during the pill administration process.
• If your cat becomes agitated or aggressive, consider getting help from another person or consulting your veterinarian for alternative medication forms or administration methods.
• Never force a pill down your cat’s throat if they’re resisting or showing signs of distress.
• Monitor your cat closely after administering the pill for any signs of adverse reactions, and contact your veterinarian immediately if you notice any symptoms.
• Keep all medications out of reach of pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion.
• If you have questions or concerns about giving your cat a pill, don’t hesitate to consult your veterinarian for guidance and support.

How To Give Your Cat A Pill: Alternative Options

Many cat owners hate giving their cats pills because of the way their cats react. We understand how difficult it can be to try to open your cat's lower jaw if they're not calm. Unfortunately, if your cat has one bad experience with taking a pill, it will likely be difficult to continue to medicate them. Luckily, there are other ways to give your cat the medication to make it easier for cats and their pet parents.

Here are some other ways you can give a cat a pill:

With Food

Before giving your cat a pill with food, talk to your vet. Some medications should not be given with food. You can start training your cat to take pills by giving them a treat every time they take their medication. Additionally, you can give your cat a few treats before giving them their pill, and they may not even notice that one of those treats wasn't actually a treat.

Of course, you should never put your cat's medication in their food bowl with their wet food or kibble because you'll never know if they swallowed it. Even if you don't see the medication in their bowl, they could have taken it out and put it somewhere else. Additionally, leaving medication in your cat's food bowl means it could get eaten by another pet, which could be potentially dangerous.

Instead, you can get cat treats designed for administering medication to pets. With pill wraps or pockets, you can safely wrap up your cat's pill in a delicious treat for them to swallow whole without ever knowing what was truly inside. Pill treat pockets are the easiest way to get pets to take medication, especially if they refuse to be handled the old-fashioned way. However, it's important to remember that giving your cat additional treats throughout the day, even if they are filled with medication, increases their calorie intake and can lead to weight gain.

Crush Pills

If pills can be combined with food, you can crush the pill up and put the powder in their regular wet food or kibble. However, not all medications should be crushed, and you should be careful not to let any other household pets consume the medicated food that isn't theirs.

Pill Popper

A pill popper is a device designed for administering pills to pets without the need for manual handling. With a pill popper, you can safely place the pill at the back of your cat’s throat and trigger the device to release the pill, allowing your cat to swallow it without resistance or discomfort.

To use a pill popper, you’ll place the pill securely inside the rubber tip of the device. Then, gently approach your cat and hold them still with one hand, using your other hand to hold the pill popper. Once your cat is in position, you can carefully open their mouth or upper lip and insert the rubber tip of the pill popper into the back of your cat’s mouth before pressing the plunger to release the pill.²

My Cat Won’t Take Pills, Now What?

If your cat refuses to take pills, talk to your vet. Many pet medications are available in different forms. For example, cat laxatives are available in treat form, tablets, pills, and powder. Depending on your cat's needs, your vet might be able to prescribe a different form of the same medication to ensure your cat is getting the medicine they need.

Here are a few of your options:¹

• Liquid medications: Some medications are available as liquids, which can be easier to administer to cats who won’t swallow pills. You can often mix these medications with water or food, making them less noticeable and more palatable.
• Transdermal (topical) medications: Transdermal medications are applied to the skin and absorbed into the bloodstream. This method eliminates the need for oral administration and can be less stressful for cats.
• Treats or chews: Many medications are available as treats or chews, which can be more appealing to cats and easier to disguise. These formulations often come in flavors cats enjoy, making them more willing to accept their medication.
• Powders or sprinkles: Some medications come in powdered form, which can be sprinkled over your cat’s food to mask the taste and texture. This method allows you to mix the medication directly into your cat’s meals.

FAQs

How do you trick a cat into taking a pill?

In some cases, there's no reason to trick your cat into taking a pill, as long as you restrain them gently and can get them to swallow the pill. However, if your cat doesn't like taking pills, you may be better off getting their medication in another form, such as a powder or liquid, or wrapping it up in a treat that they can swallow whole.

Is it OK to crush pills for cats?

Check with your vet before you crush your cat's medication. While it might be easier to crush their pills up and put them in wet food, crushing pills can affect the efficacy of certain medications.

What food can I hide my cat's pill in?

Before you hide your cat's pill in food, talk to your vet to ensure the medication can be given with food. If the medication can be given with food, you can mix the pill in with a small amount of cat food or treats. There are also special treats designed to help you administer medication to your pet.

Can a cat choke on a pill?

Yes, a cat can choke on a pill. When giving your pet medication, it's important to pay attention to their body language to ensure they're not choking. Also, always provide your cat with water so they can easily swallow the pill.

Final Notes

Giving your cat medication isn't always easy, especially for cats who don't like being handled or gently restrained. Luckily, you can make the process more enjoyable by easing their discomfort so they feel safe and rewarding them for a job well done after they've swallowed their pill. If you can't get your cat to swallow a pill, you can try various alternative methods, such as using a pill crusher or talking to your vet about finding the medication in other forms that are easier to administer.

If your cat won't swallow pills no matter what you do, a vet might be able to prescribe you an alternative medication or form that your cat will prefer, and they can do it all from the comfort of your own home. Dutch offers telemedicine for pets that can help provide pet parents with the peace of mind to make pet ownership easier and less stressful.

Browse our online pet pharmacy to learn more about the different types of medication we offer and their available forms. Then, schedule your consultation with a licensed vet who can help your cat live their healthiest life.