Updated: 23/07/25
This content was created by VetPartners Feline Clinical Interest Group.
We understand that giving medication to your cat can be a challenge!
That’s why we’ve put together the following videos, tips, and links to help make the process
as stress-free as possible for you and your feline friend.
On this page:
- Hiding medication
- Tips for hiding medication
- Giving medication directly
- Tips for direct administration
There are two main techniques you can use to give your cat medication:
• Hiding the medication in food or treats.
• Administering the medication directly into their mouth.
Different techniques may work for different cats, so try a few to find out what your cat prefers.
Hiding medication
Hiding medication in food or treats is generally effective if your cat is feeling well enough to eat,
as medication is usually safe to be given with food. It can also be less stressful for you and your cat!
Tips for hiding tablets:
• Ensure the medication can be given with food.
• Use strong-smelling food (tuna in spring water or sardines can help).
• Warming food can increase the intensity of the smell.
• Try tasty paste treats.
• The addition of tasty biscuit treats can also help.
• Try treats that have a pocket to hide the medication in.
• You can hide multiple tablets or bitter-tasting medication in gelatine capsules
Here are some videos of our vets and nurses giving tablets to their pets using a hiding technique:
View the video here: https://vimeo.com/782954537/f562b107c5
We have also provided a video talking through how you can disguise medication within a treat:
View the video here: https://vimeo.com/737880397/1c8b2a2b88
Giving your cat medication directly
Tips for direct administration:
• Some cats are easier to tablet with two people.
• Get everything ready in advance, as some cats will hide when they hear the tablet box
being opened.
• Have your cat on a table with a non-slip surface – a bath-towel can work well.
• If you are alone, draping a towel or fleece over your cat’s front legs like a bib can prevent scratches.
• Have your cat sitting in front of you, looking away from you.
• Hold your cat’s head firmly but gently around their cheekbones with your non-dominant hand.
• Tip your cat’s head so that they are looking directly up to the ceiling.
• Hold the tablet/capsule between your thumb and index finger of your dominant hand.
• Use the middle finger of your dominant hand to gently pull down your cat’s lower jaw.
• Place the medication as far back on your cat’s tongue as possible.
• If suitable, encourage your cat to eat after giving the medication or syringe a small amount
of water into the mouth to ensure the tablet moves quickly into the stomach.
• Pill-givers are small syringe-like devices that can be used to administer tablets. If you’re interested
in using one, please speak to one of our team or follow the International Cat Care link below.
Here is a video of how to give a tablet directly into your cat’s mouth:
View the video here: https://vimeo.com/737880209/1b54e8093b
You can find more information on tabletting cats on the International Cat Care’s website.
We appreciate that medicating your cat can be tricky! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you are having difficulties.
