How to give pills to your cat easily

Cat willingly accepts medication disguised in EasyPill Cat Putty, making treatment time stress-free.

Giving pills to your cat can be a challenging task, but it’s important for maintaining their health and well-being and often necessary if they have a short-term illness or long-term condition.

Cats are naturally independent creatures and may not appreciate being handled in ways that feel intrusive or uncomfortable. The process of placing a pill in a cat’s mouth can trigger a gag reflex, especially if the pill is too large or hard to swallow, and many have a bitter or unpleasant taste that cats instinctively dislike.

Luckily, with some helpful tips and a bit of patience, you can make things easier for you and your cat.

Here are some simple and effective methods to give pills to your cat with ease.

Hide the Pill in Food

One of the simplest methods is to hide the pill in a small amount of your cat's favourite treat or food.

However, not all types of food are suitable for hiding pills. Wet food can sometimes mask a pill better than dry food, but the consistency needs to be just right. If the food is too dry, the pill may not be fully concealed. Similarly, some wet foods have a texture that makes it difficult to completely hide the pill inside. Your cat may well detect the pill because the food doesn’t feel or taste the same.

A pill putty provides a hassle-free solution. EasyPill® Pill Giver Putty for Cats is a soft, tasty putty designed to hide oral treatments like pills, drops, or powder. It’s proven to increase medication uptake by over 80%. It’s a brilliant solution for cats that are hard to medicate or suspicious.

Its combination of chicken, duck and pork gives it a flavour and scent your cat will love. And it offers great value because each 10g bar can provide up to ten portions (depending on the size of the tablet). You can adapt it to the size and shape of the medication, and you can squish together and reuse the leftover pieces.

Crush or Split the Tablet (If allowed)

Some tablets can be crushed and mixed with food. However, always check with your vet first. Crushing some medications may affect how well they work.

If your cat is resistant to eating food with crushed pills, ask your vet if they offer a liquid version of the medication. You can dissolve some pills in water, which might make them easier to administer.

Use a Pill Popper

A pill popper (or pill syringe) is a tool that allows you to place the pill directly in the back of the cat's throat. Many pill poppers are designed with a soft, non-harmful tip to prevent injury to the cat's throat and allow for a precise and gentle application.

However, using a pill popper to give a cat a pill can be tricky for several reasons:

• Most cats dislike being held still, making it difficult to position the pill popper correctly.

• Cats have strong jaw muscles and quick tongue movements, so they may spit the pill out before swallowing.

• The sudden approach of a pill popper can startle the cat, making it struggle or even scratch and bite.

• If the cat has had bad experiences with a pill popper, it may become even more resistant over time.

How to use: with the pill securely in the pill popper, position the tip of the popper inside your cat’s mouth, aiming towards the back of their throat. Make sure it’s in the right place, so the pill is released far enough into the throat to ensure swallowing. Then press the plunger or button on the pill popper to release the pill directly into your cat's throat. 

Or try EasyPill® Pill Giver Putty and skip the struggle. You’ll thank us later.

Manual Administration (Hand Placement)

If your cat refuses to take their pill willingly or with their food, and you don’t have a pill popper, you will have to administer it manually. It's important to gently and safely hold your cat. Having two people can help with this – one person can hold the cat while the other gives the pill.                                                    

Lubricating the pill with a tiny bit of gravy from canned food or a soft treat may help. This can stop the pill from sticking in your cat’s mouth or throat. It also makes it easier for your cat to swallow.

Gently grasp your cat’s head with one hand, and with your thumb and forefinger, open their mouth by applying gentle pressure on the sides of the jaw. Place the tablet at the back of the throat with the other hand. Close the cat’s mouth quickly and gently rub their throat to encourage swallowing.

If this sounds like a difficult task, we highly recommend the EasyPill® Pill Giver Putty. Simply wrap the medication in the tasty putty and give it to your pet – you’ll be amazed how easily they take it. And you’ll save time and unnecessary stress!

Tips for Successful Pill Administration

Timing is key: Try giving the pill at a time when your cat is calm or hungry, as they may be more receptive.

Stay calm: Cats can sense your stress, so try to stay calm and patient.

Consistency: Regular practice and consistency will help your cat get used to the routine.

Ask Your Vet for Advice: If you're struggling, your vet may have other solutions or be able to show you a technique that works for both you and your cat.

Give EasyPill a go: It makes medication time a breeze.

Our customers’ experience of EasyPill® Pill Giver Putty:

“This is the best thing I have ever tried for getting tablets into my cats. All the years of crushing tablets up etc. — wonderful!” — Pet Owner

“We gave a sample to a client who’s been struggling to tablet her 23-year-old cat. She gave me a call 10 minutes later to tell me that it’s a miracle product! So, we’ve already had one very satisfied customer!” — Amy, Registered Veterinary Nurse

EasyPill® Pill Giver Putty for Cats

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