Getting your cat to take their medicine can be difficult, but using a pill pocket makes it easier. Pill pockets are made of a moldable material with flavors like tuna or catnip that cats love, making dose distribution just a bit less of a hassle.
In this comprehensive guide, we've researched and compared the best pill pockets for cats available on Amazon. We've evaluated each product based on ease of use, flavor appeal, effectiveness, and value. All products reviewed here include direct Amazon purchase links with our affiliate tag.
Quick Answer: Our Top Picks
If you're in a hurry, here are our top recommendations:
- Best Overall: Greenies Pill Pockets Feline - Easy to use, multiple flavors, vet recommended
- Best Paste: Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill - Moldable paste, won't crumble, works on liquid treats
- Best Soft Chew: Royal Canin Feline Pill Assist - Super soft, easily molds, only three calories
- Best Variety Pack: INABA Churu Bites - Soft and chewy, low in calories
What to Look For in Pill Pockets for Cats
When choosing pill pockets for your cat, consider these important factors:
Ease of Use
Most pill pockets have a hole in the top, allowing you to place the pill inside and mold around it. Look for pockets that are easy to shape and won't crumble when handling.
Flavor Appeal
Cats can be picky eaters, so choose flavors you know your cat likes. Common flavors include tuna, chicken, salmon, and catnip. Some cats prefer certain flavors over others.
Ingredients
Look for pill pockets made with natural ingredients and without artificial flavors or preservatives. If your cat has food allergies, consult with your veterinarian before using pill pockets.
Texture
The texture should be moldable and soft enough to wrap around pills without breaking apart. Some products offer paste-like consistency that works well for oddly shaped pills.
Product Comparison Table
| Product | Type | Flavors | Best For | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenies Pill Pockets | Catnip, chicken, salmon, tuna & cheese | All-around use | $ | |
| Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill | Paste | Bacon, cheese & bacon, peanut butter | Oddly shaped pills | $$ |
| Royal Canin Pill Assist | Soft chew | Not listed | Low calorie option | $$$ |
| INABA Churu Bites | Treat | Chicken, tuna, tuna with salmon, tuna with scallop | Variety pack | $$ |
Detailed Product Reviews
1. Greenies Pill Pockets Feline - Best Overall
Greenies Pill Pockets are one of the most popular brands in pet supplies, offering a fantastic pill pocket with everything your cat could need. Available in catnip, chicken, salmon, and tuna & cheese flavors, these pockets are vet recommended and a favorite among patients.
Made in the United States, using the pocket is incredibly simple. Just place the pill in the slot inside, pinch the tip, and then feed it to your cat. It hides the small taste of the pill, making your cat think it's just getting a tasty treat rather than medicine.
The pockets contain no artificial flavors or preservatives and are packed with vitamins. They have 12 percent crude protein and 9 percent crude fat, making them a healthy option for medication administration.
Primary Ingredients: Rehydrated chicken, glycerin, wheat flour, wheat gluten | Flavors: Catnip, chicken, salmon, tuna & cheese | Quantity: 1.6 or 3 ounces
2. Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill - Best Paste
Using a traditional pill pocket on some types of medication may not work, so getting a paste like this option from Pet MD is a great workaround. Oddly shaped pills won't work as well inside regular pockets, but this paste can form a barrier to keep the medicine inside until it reaches your cat's mouth.
It has a unique bacon flavor and one container has more than 50 servings. To use the paste, take a pinch of it and wrap the pill completely, making sure the seal is tight, especially if there's any liquid, and then administer it like any regular treat.
It also works well in conjunction with other pill pockets, since the paste can be used as a glue, or to mask flavors and scents.
Primary Ingredients: Oat flour, cane molasses, glycerin, rice bran, vegetable oil | Flavors: Bacon, cheese & bacon, peanut butter | Quantity: 4.2 ounces
3. Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Feline Pill Assist - Best Soft Chew
These tiny pill pockets from Royal Canin have a soft malleable texture that's easy to shape around pills, capsules, and tablets. At only three calories each, they offer a great alternative to comparatively higher-calorie options like cheese or peanut butter—perfect for pet parents concerned about their cat's daily caloric intake.
Note that the pill pockets do require a vet's prescription, so you'll need to consult with your veterinarian before purchasing.
Primary Ingredients: Glycerin, chicken, wheat flour, chicken liver, wheat gluten, vegetable oil | Quantity: 1.58 ounces
4. INABA Churu Bites Cat Treats - Best Variety Pack
Testing out which flavors to trick your cat with can be a process, which is why getting an assortment of different types of treats can make taking pills more palatable for your cat. INABA Churu snacks aren't designed as pill pockets, but the creamy filling interior makes it easy to shove a pill inside of one.
The outside cylinder is made from baked chicken paste with 22 percent crude protein. Not only are these excellent as treats, but they can also be used as a pill pocket by shoving the pill inside the shell. This assortment of flavors includes chicken, tuna, tuna with salmon, and tuna with scallop.
Primary Ingredients: Chicken, tuna, tapioca, natural shrimp flavor | Flavors: Chicken, tuna, tuna with salmon, tuna with scallop | Quantity: 1.05 ounce
Final Verdict
Our best overall choice is Greenies Pill Pockets, which are both affordable and easy to use. Just place the pill inside the pre-formed hole, close it up, and feed it directly to your cat. If you are dealing with liquids or oddly shaped pills, Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill is worth a purchase. Though the bacon flavor may not appeal to every cat, this moldable paste offers over 50 servings before it's empty.
Remember that pill pockets are not dangerous, but they may not be suitable for all pets. If your pet has been diagnosed with a medical condition such as food allergies, food sensitivities, or inflammatory bowel disease, consult with your veterinarian to determine if pill pockets are a safe option for your pet.