How to Get Your Cat to Take a Tablet Easily

Cats are wonderfully unique creatures, each with their own distinct personality and quirks. If you share your home with a cat, you know they often rule the roost, letting you know exactly when they want attention, food, or some peaceful sleep.

Unfortunately, like all pets, cats can sometimes fall ill and require medication. Administering tablets to a cat can be tricky due to their finicky nature and the stress it can cause both cat and owner. It often requires patience, creativity, and gentle handling to ensure your furry friend takes their medicine without harm or anxiety.

1. Hiding the Tablet in Food

One common strategy is to disguise the tablet within your cat’s favourite food. It’s worth first consulting your vet to confirm whether your cat’s medication can be safely mixed or crushed and incorporated into food.

A popular technique is using a small amount of wet food, particularly pâté-style, to mask the tablet. Form a tiny 'meatball' around the tablet to ensure it is completely covered and offer this to your cat. You can try the “three-meatball trick,” giving a plain meatball, then the medicated one, followed by another plain one to encourage eating.

If your cat rejects the food, consider feeding just before their regular mealtime so they are more likely to eat despite the unusual taste. Always observe whether your cat has swallowed the tablet fully to ensure the dose is effective.

2. Crushing the Tablet and Mixing with Fresh Food

Crushing tablets can sometimes help, especially if your cat is hesitant to swallow a whole pill. However, crushed medication often has a stronger smell and taste that can alert your cat and cause refusal.

To increase acceptance, mix the crushed tablet into small portions of fresh, tasty foods your cat loves, such as cooked chicken or fish. Be sure to add the crushed medication just before feeding to preserve the medicine's potency and do not heat the food after adding the medication to avoid altering the active ingredients.

Cut the food into small, manageable pieces so your cat can swallow easily. Always check for bones in fish to prevent choking.

3. Offering Fresh Fish as a Tasty Disguise

Cats are famously fussy eaters, but many love fish. Offering raw or cooked fish can be a good way to mask medication. Be mindful of your cat’s preferences—some prefer white fish, others enjoy prawns or oily fish. Ensure fish is fresh, boneless, and cut into small pieces before mixing the crushed tablet in.

Remember to let cooked fish cool to room temperature before adding medicine to avoid any risk of altering the tablet's effectiveness or creating toxicity.

4. Direct Administration: Giving a Tablet by Mouth

If your cat refuses medicated food, you may need to administer the tablet manually. Approach your cat calmly and gently to avoid startling them. Follow these steps:

1. Hold your cat’s head firmly but gently between your thumb and forefinger, tilting the head slightly back.
2. Use your middle finger to gently open the lower jaw.
3. Place the tablet as far back on the tongue as possible.
4. Close your cat’s mouth and hold it closed for a few seconds.
5. Gently stroke the throat to encourage swallowing.
6. If recommended by your vet, use a small syringe to give water to help wash down the tablet.

Reward your cat afterwards with praise or a treat to associate the process with positivity. If unsure, tools like pill poppers can make the technique easier and safer.

5. Be Patient and Experiment

Every cat is different, and it may take some trial and error to find the best method. Trying different food types, temperatures, or techniques will help you identify what your cat responds to best.

Patience and calmness during administration will reduce stress for both you and your pet, improving outcomes.

6. Consult Your Veterinarian for Alternatives

If it remains impossible to get your cat to take tablets despite various efforts, speak to your vet. They may be able to offer alternative treatments such as liquid medications, injections, or transdermal gels that are easier to administer.

Conclusion

Giving a cat a tablet is often one of the more challenging tasks in pet care, but with kindness, patience, and creativity, it can become manageable. Always prioritise your cat’s wellbeing and seek veterinary advice if you encounter persistent difficulties or concerns about medication safety.