How to Give a Cat a Pill: A Complete Guide with Tips
Key takeaways:
One of the easiest ways to give a cat a pill is to hide it in food or a high-value treat.
If your cat sniffs out the pill, you can use a gentle technique to place it in their mouth with your hand or a pet piller.
If your cat refuses to take a pill no matter what you try, your vet may be able to recommend a compounding pharmacy. It can turn the medication into a form that's easier to give, such as chewable or liquid.
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It might seem like a simple task, but giving a cat a pill often turns into a high-stakes mission that requires a winning strategy, patience, and a touch of courage.
Cats are clever and suspicious by nature, which makes them especially good at evasion. They also have a keen sense of smell. It's 14 times more accurate than a human's, so they can sniff out especially potent pills from a mile away.
The good news is that with the right approach, you can give your cat a pill with minimal stress (and hopefully no scratches). Ahead, learn several strategies to give your cat a pill, and what you can do if they refuse to take it.
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How to give a cat a pill
There are a number of ways you can give your cat a pill. Here’s a look at some of the best techniques.
Hide it in a treat
One of the easiest ways to give a cat a pill is to disguise it in a high-value food or treat, which is something they love but don't get often. When you do this, your cat may be so excited to get the treat, they don’t realize you're sneaking a pill in.
This may not work for especially picky cats, who can sniff out when something is slightly off, but it's a good place to start.
Some options are:
Mixing the pill into a small amount of wet food
Wrapping the pill into a pill pocket or other soft, chewy treat
Coating the pill in a lickable treat that your cat really enjoys
Mixing the pill with some no-salt tuna or plain cooked chicken or turkey
Give your cat a little bit of food or a treat without the pill to start. Sneak the pill into the second treat, and then follow up with a third treat without a pill. Have all the treats ready to go, so you can do this quickly before they suspect something.
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It's also a good idea to handle the pill-free treats with clean hands — some cats can smell even a trace of medication that's left behind on your hand from handling the pill.
And try to act normal. Some cats can pick up on tension or excess attention, so try not to be too obvious that you're watching them to see if they'll take the treat. They might get suspicious and walk away.
If you're mixing the pill into food, use only a small amount so you can see if your cat actually ate the pill. Some really crafty felines will eat around the pill and leave it behind.
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Give the pill by hand
According to one survey, just over 70% of cats can sniff out a pill in food, refusing to eat it. If your cat falls into this group, you may have to give it to them by hand. This can take some practice, but it's a good option for cats who don't mind being handled.
To give a cat the pill:
Secure your cat in your lap, or wrap them in a towel or blanket. It's helpful if you have someone else to help with this part, but it can be done alone, if needed.
Using your nondominant hand, hold onto the top of your cat's head so your thumb is resting near the back of one side of their upper jaw and your fingers are on the other.
Tilt your cat's head back so they're looking up at the ceiling, while applying gentle pressure to the back of their jaw. This will often prompt your cat to open their lower jaw.
If they don't, you can use your dominant hand to gently push down on their lower jaw. But make sure you have your pill in hand ready to go, because they can lose patience quickly.
Hold the pill securely between the thumb and index finger of your dominant hand, and drop the pill into your cat's mouth as far past their tongue as you can. Do this as quickly as possible.
Immediately close your cat's mouth, and gently blow on their nose to encourage them to swallow. You can also gently rub their throat to encourage swallowing.
Wait a few minutes to make sure your cat has swallowed the pill. Cats are crafty and can spit out a pill even after you think you've successfully given it to them. If your cat does spit the pill out, you can try again if they don't seem too agitated. If they've run out of patience, let them calm down, and try again later.
When your cat has successfully taken the pill, reward them with praise and their favorite treat.
Use a pet piller
Instead of using your hand, you can opt for a pet piller. A pet piller is a long, plastic tube that resembles a syringe (without a needle attached). It has a soft rubber tip to securely hold a pill, with a plunger that allows you to place the pill far back into your cat's mouth and then release it.
Pet pillers help speed up the process of giving your cat a pill, since they're often easier to get into your pet's mouth than your fingers. Plus, they're safer. If your cat tries to bite, they'll chomp on the piller instead of your fingers.
To use a pet piller, you'll follow the same procedure as with giving a pill by hand. But instead of holding the pill between your thumb and finger, you'll put it in the pet piller and then place it in your cat's open mouth.
What can you do if your cat refuses to take a pill?
If you've tried all of these options and your cat still refuses to take a pill, contact your veterinarian for advice. In some cases, they may be able to refer you to a compounding pharmacy, which is a specialized pharmacy that customizes medications to make them easier to take.
A compounding pharmacy may be able to make a liquid or chewable version that's easier to give to your cat. Some medications can also be made into transdermals, which are applied by rubbing them on your cat's skin.
If not, you may have to visit your vet's office to get them to help you. They can show you the proper technique, or they might recommend daily visits so their trained staff can administer the pill for you. But this will likely only be an option for short-term medications.
Frequently asked questions
You shouldn't crush pills for your cat without talking to a veterinarian first. Some medications are OK to crush, but it can affect the safety and/or effectiveness for others. Crushed pills can also taste bitter, making it harder to get your cat to take them.
Yes. Cats can often smell pills due to their sharp senses. You can mask the smell of an especially smelly pill by mixing it with food or wrapping it in a pill pocket.
The bottom line
Giving your cat a pill might never be easy. But with the right techniques and some practice, it can become much more manageable. You can try giving the pill in a treat your cat loves. If that doesn’t work, try giving the pill by hand or using a piller. Remember to stay calm, be gentle, and reach out to your veterinarian for alternative options if needed. You may be able to get your cat’s medication compounded into a different form, such as a liquid or transdermal lotion.
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References
Becker, M. (2015). Fear-free tip: How to pill a cat. Dvm360.
Boothe, D. (2024). Transdermal medications. Veterinary Partner.
Bukowski, J. A., et al. (2024). Routine health care of cats. Merck Veterinary Manual.
DeGioia, P. (2020). Compounding pharmacies can help. Veterinary Partner.
Ilias, N., et al. (2022). Palatability assessment of prescribed diets on domestic shorthair cats. Veterinary World.
Johnson, T. (2023). Giving oral medications to dogs and cats. Veterinary Partner.
Taylor, S., et al. (2022). Online survey of owners’ experiences of medicating their cats at home. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery.
