Every cat owner knows what it’s like to try to give your feline friend his medications. My own cat Rufus runs for the hills as soon as he hears that pill bottle shake. It was a nightmare for both of us.
I must have tried every last trick and tip in the book. Finally, through tons of trial and error, I found a few food products that worked to hide the pill well and capture my cat’s interest. Rufus got his meds, and I avoided some painful scratches along the way.
Knowing the frustration cat owners can go through, I knew someone else could use this information. If you’re struggling to get your cat to take his pills, try the best food to hide cat pills in below.
Product Mini-Reviews
These three products have been lifesavers in getting cats to take their medications. We have the best overall, best as a treat, and best pill paste on the market reviewed to help you make an informed buying decision.
Product Details
The Greenies brand is a well-known one among pet parents today. Their line of products includes dog and cat treats and supplements, and their pill pockets make an ideal solution for cat owners.
The pill pockets are natural cat treats that provide a nifty little space to place a pill. You can close the pouch and completely hide the medication with a quick pinch. All your cat will see is a tasty treat.
The chicken-flavored treats use real chicken and chicken liver and offer minerals and trace nutrients that are excellent for your cat. Not only are they vet-recommended, but they’re made in the US.
Greenies Pill Pockets are super easy to use and eliminate the hassle of finding adequate food to hide pills in. Just fill and pinch, and you’re ready to go.
- Pros
- Clever design holds and hides pills well
- Free from artificial flavors, preservatives, and fillers
- Natural chicken flavor is appealing to cats
- Cons
- Too big for smaller cats
Vitakraft Meaty Morsels are the perfect treat that doubles as an avenue for your cat’s medication. While these treats weren’t designed specifically for medicine, the creators did keep that in mind.
Meat Morsels come in a couple of flavors, including chicken with pumpkin and chicken with salmon. The oven-roasted treats are extra meaty, made with your cat’s natural cravings in mind. They’re free from artificial ingredients and over 70 percent meat.
The soft texture of the treat gives your cat a melt-in-your-mouth experience, but they’re also flexible enough to hide pills in. In addition, the treats come scored, making them easy to break into smaller pieces to work with your cat’s size.
- Pros
- Soft and chewy texture
- Made with real meat and Certified Sustainable Seafood
- Supports cat’s health with omega-3s and taurine
- Highly attractive taste and smell for cats
- Cons
- Strong smell for humans
- Takes some effort to get pills to stay in place
Treats and pill pockets can be the perfect solution for your cat, but the problem is that they often come in one size: large. With Tomlyn Pill Masker, you can use just the right amount to hide your cat’s pills in a tasty disguise.
This product is a thick, moldable paste that you can easily form around any size pill – big or small. It comes in peanut butter or bacon flavors, both of which your cat is sure to love. In addition, the moist formula ensures the paste doesn’t dry out.
Since veterinarians created the formula, you know it’s something you can trust. The company has been on the market for almost 50 years and has a long history of success.
- Pros
- Mess-free solution for any size pill
- Two flavors that pets love
- Vet formulated
- One jar lasts a long time
- Cons
- May be hard on sensitive stomachs
Buying Guide
Whether you’re a first-time cat parent or your cat is dealing with medication for the first time in its life, it can be challenging to figure out the best way to give a cat a pill. This buying guide can help steer you through your options and everything you need to know.
Types of Pill Hiders
There are several different types of pill hiders out there that you can try. One of them is bound to work for even the most stubborn feline.
Pill Pockets
Pill pockets are one of the most common solutions to medication for cats. These treats come in a special, flexible design that features a deep pocket. Simply place your cat’s pill in the pocket and pinch it closed to seal off the medicine.
These treats work wonderfully for some, but others find they can be too big for their smaller cats. Cutting them in half can do the trick.
Pill paste
Pill paste is essentially a very malleable cat treat that comes filled up in a jar. You can scoop out as much of this thick product as you need to cover a pill, making it perfect for any size medication.
The pastes are made to stay moist and flexible and come in a wide range of flavors. The most important thing to consider with these products is whether the ingredients are safe.
Soft Treats
Any treat that’s soft enough to push a pill into can work for cats. Some cats are clever enough to eat just the treat and spit out the pill, but others will swallow the whole thing. This one can take a bit of trial and error, but it’s possible to use regular treats with your cat’s pills.
Conclusion
Several different human foods are safe for cats and great for hiding pills. Here are a few ideas:
- Tuna
- Plain yogurt
- Cream cheese
- Butter
- Peanut butter
- Baby food
- Turkey hot dogs
- Cheese
- Deli meat
- Watermelon
- Blueberries
Depending on how clever your cat is, you may need to experiment with a few different food items.
Final Thoughts
Getting your cat to take his medication can be stressful because you just want him to get the medical help he needs. Using one of these products can help get the job done.
In my experience, the pill pockets from Greenies have given me the most success. They’re easy to use, my cat loves the taste, and they use natural ingredients.
Use the links above to check out these products for yourself and see which one works best for your feline friend.