Trick or Treat?
For some cats, pill pockets may be the answer. These small, moist treats have an opening, or packet, for a pill. Many cats gobble pill pockets without hesitation, but offer your cat an empty one before you actually need to use it to make sure they’ll find it acceptable.
We also recommend offering pill pockets occasionally prior to placing the pill inside as a treat to lower your chances of your cat associating the pill pocket with medicine. When it’s time to medicate, place the pill inside, pinch the top closed (try not to use the same hand that handled the pill so as not to transfer the smell of the medication to the treat), and offer it to the cat.
Available in several feline-flavors, aromatic pill pockets help mask “medicinal” scents the cat may pick up.
Next Steps
Pill pockets not good enough for your cat? You may need to manually pill your cat.
- Keep calm. Cats are sensitive to nervousness, and they may become agitated if you show it.
- Confine your cat to one small room, with limited places for your cat to hide.
- Place your cat on a thick towel: cats may want to grip the surface until they figure out what’s going on. Spend time petting, talking softly.
- Wrap your cat snuggly in a towel, with just the head protruding. This protects you and secures your cat for easier handling.
- Placing your thumb and middle finger at the hinge of the jaws, gently tilted the head back slightly, so you can see the back of your cat’s mouth.
- Drop the pill far back into the center of the mouth, and then quickly close their mouth.
- Rub your cat’s throat, or gently blow on their nose.
- Look for signs that your cat has swallowed.
- Give a small amount of water from a curved tip syringe to help your cat swallow the pill.
Occasionally some medicine can be diluted in water and syringe fed, or mixed in with wet food for easy consumption. Only some medicines can be diluted in water or mixed in with food. Please check with your doctor prior to attempting this if your cat prefers consuming medication using these methods.