Giving your cat a tablet

Getting a cat to take a tablet can be stressful for both owners and cats. Here's our guide on how to give your cat a tablet.

Getting a cat to take a tablet can be stressful for both owners and cats. Here's our guide on how to give your cat a tablet.

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Different ways to get your cat to take a tablet

If giving your cat their tablet by hand fills you with dread, you can try the following:

put it in a treat. Try putting your cat’s tablet in their favourite treat, some pill putty or a bit of plain cooked chicken. Remember to make sure they don’t spit it out and that your vet says it’s ok to give them their tablet with food
crush it in their food. If your vet says the tablet can be crushed up and given with food, try crushing it up and mixing it with one of their daily meals (ideally breakfast depending on the time you need to give them their tablet). Make sure they eat all their meal, though, otherwise they may miss some of their medication. Or you could try mixing it, unless your cat is sensitive to the ingredients, in a soft yoghurt-textured treat for cats
hide it in something strong smelling. Cats are very sensitive to smells (which is why they can usually find their tablet in their food). Try using a little of something strong smelling, like tuna, to hide the tablet in
call your vet. If all else fails, give your vet a call for advice. They might be able offer other suggestions or there might be a different way to give your cat their medication (for example, if it is available as a liquid)

Take a look at our handy video or follow these steps:

try to keep your cat as relaxed as possible and use their blanket under them
get someone to help if you can. Whoever is holding your cat should have the cat facing away from them on their lap or a table (don’t pick your cat up to give them a tablet)
make sure their bum is either against your body or a wall to stop them backing away
if you have someone helping, they should gently hold the cat’s chest and upper front legs
hold your cat’s cheekbones towards the back of their head, keeping clear of their teeth and whiskers. Gently tilt their head back
gently open their mouth using a finger on their incisor (front) teeth. Avoid those sharp canines
pop the tablet in their mouth (towards the back of the tongue) and close their mouth. Stroke their throat downwards to encourage them to swallow. Lip licking is usually a sign of success
release your cat and make sure they don’t spit the tablet out. If they stick around, make sure to give them a reward (like a treat of playing their favourite game)