How to give a tablet to your cat
First Published: 22/08/2018
Last Updated: 19/12/2023
Giving a cat a tablet can be difficult because cats are agile creatures with sharp claws and teeth. In our how to video guide, we show you three different methods on tableting your cat.
Methods of giving cats tablets:
- Give them the pill manually, using just your hands.
- Wrap the tablet up in a tasty pill giver.
- Use a plastic pill gun/pill giver to plunge the pill into the back of the cat’s mouth without them having to taste the pill.
What if I choose to give them the pill manually?
The best way to do this is to hold the top of your cat’s head, keeping your fingers around their jaw. With your other hand, hold the tablet with your thumb and forefinger; open the cat’s mouth with your middle finger and place the tablet into their mouth.
Once the tablet is in the mouth, hold their mouth closed for little longer, massaging the front of their neck until they have swallowed the tablet.
Giving your cat a tablet manually is the hardest method so if you are struggling, we recommend you try methods 2 or 3.
Need more advice on giving your cat a tablet?
For expert advice on tabletting your cat, get in touch with your local vet.
Find your nearest vet using our Find a Vet page, or speak to a vet online using Online Vets.