Published Aug 24, 2025
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
There are so many things to worry about when you have a sick cat. Whether they’re recovering from a dental procedure or were just diagnosed with an illness, having to fight to shove a pill down their throat makes things more stressful for them and you.
Sometimes that’s unavoidable, but there are ways to make the experience more pleasant. These include pill pockets, which are treats that wrap around your cat’s pill to encourage them to eat them on their own. No more slimy fingers or accidental chomps!
In this article, I review four of the best pill pockets and wraps to help your cat take their pill with ease, as well as two alternatives for fussy or feisty cats.
At a Glance: The 6 Best Pill Pockets for Cats To Buy
Want a quick look at the products reviewed in this article? In the comparison table below, we’ve highlighted some of the most important features of each product. You’ll find more detailed information about each product later in the article.
Greenies Pill Pockets Cat Treats
- Pre-formed pill pockets are quick and simple to use
- Made specifically for cats, not dogs
- 3 flavors formulated with cats in mind
PET MD Wrap-A-Pill Paste
- Use as much or as little of the paste as you need based on pill size
- Budget-friendly and long-lasting
- Quality-tested and made in the USA
Vetoquinol Pill Wrap for Dogs and Cats
- Use as much or as little of the paste as you need based on pill size
- The taste is popular amongst my own cats
- Great for multi-pet households with both cats and dogs who require pills
SHASHIOS Wrap-Ups Dog & Cat Treat
- Convenient roll-up packaging–tear off as much or as little as you need
- Limited ingredients
- Comes in four flavors
Churu Lickable Cat Treats
- Most palatable option for picky cats
- Can hide small pills or powder from capsules
- Thick formula hides medication better than other brands
VETONE Pet Piller for Dogs and Cats
- One pack contains 20 multi-use syringes
- Pillers are simple to use and work for pills of any size or shape
- Soft rubbery tips are gentle on your cat’s mouth
Why Trust Cats.com
I’m a lifelong cat owner with seven senior cats of my own. At one point, I had four of them on daily medications. Luckily that was temporary, but I still have two cats who need their pills every day. I know how difficult it can be to medicate a cat, and I’ve been bitten while trying more times than I can count. Sometimes a graze of the teeth by mistake, and occasionally a purposeful nip!
To test the pill pockets and wraps in this article, I first used the treats as intended to give my cat Pepper her twice-daily allergy medication. It’s a chewable tablet, but she won’t eat it on its own.
I also tested each treat for palatability by feeding it to my other cats without pills inside. This gave me a sample size of six cats–although five of them are related, so they may have similar palates.
Unfortunately, although one of my oldest boys is on several daily medications, he’s on a strict kidney diet for his health and cannot eat treats. Instead, he was given catnip in a separate room to make up for missing out on the fun!
Do Vets Recommend Pill Pockets?
Plenty of veterinarians recommend pill pockets as an easier alternative to pilling your cat. They can reduce stress and help your cat opt into the experience, rather than being forced. However, it depends on the medication and whether your cat has any dietary restrictions.
If the pill can be given with food, you can typically use a pill pocket. They’re easiest for relatively small tablets and most effective when the pill doesn’t have a bitter taste. I find pill pockets less effective for powdered medications, which are better mixed into a lickable treat or wet cat food.
Also, check the packaging to ensure that the treats comply with any dietary restrictions your cat has. If you have any doubts, give your vet a call!
6 Best Pill Pockets for Cats
Our rankings are based on a variety of factors. Our overall best pick are the Greenies Pill Pockets, but every cat has a different palate and every human has their own unique preferences, too. With this in mind, we’ve broken down our recommendations by the most budget-friendly option, the best roll-up treats, and more.
#1 Overall Best: Greenies Pill Pockets Cat Treats
When you think of pill pockets, you probably think of Greenies. These cat treats are shaped like little cups. You simply set the pill inside of the opening and pinch it closed, then roll the treat between your fingers as needed to completely cover the pill.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
I tried Greenies years ago for a cat who has since passed, so I didn’t have the highest hopes this time around. However, they’ve made giving my cat Pepper her daily allergy pills a breeze! I purchased the catnip flavor, which all six cats were happy to devour.
I also like that they’re already shaped, so it’s less work for me to get the pill inside. They’re also affordable, with either 45 or 85 treats in each package, and come in three flavors to help you find one your cat will eat.
Lastly, these are the only pill wraps I found that are made specifically for cats. I do think that’s why they’re so palatable compared to some of the others on this list that are formulated with dogs in mind.
What We Liked:
- Pill pockets are pre-formed, so all you have to do is add the pill and pinch the treat closed
- Most palatable pilling treat (according to my own cats)
- Budget-friendly with either 45 or 85 treats per package
- Formulated specifically for cats, not dogs
What We Didn’t Like:
- Though they’re popular with my cats, not all cats will eat the pill pockets
#2 Best Budget: Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill Paste
The Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill paste comes in a 4.2 ounce tub that contains around 59 servings, but may last a bit longer since cat pills tend to be small. Pet MD also offers an 8 ounce container for those who want to stock up or have many pills to give.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The paste is easy to use. Pinch off a small amount of it between your fingers, roll it flat, and place the pill in the center. Fold the edges over the pill and pinch the paste tight on all sides.
I bought the bacon flavor, but it also comes in peanut butter and bacon and cheese. Only two of my six cats would eat the paste, so it wasn’t the biggest hit in my house. However, according to customer reviews, other cats do enjoy it.
What We Liked:
- Budget-friendly and will last a long time
- Can use any amount you need, making it best for especially tiny or large pills
- Quality-tested and made in the USA
What We Didn’t Like:
- Most of my cats wouldn’t eat the paste, though other cat parents have had better luck
- Though it’s safe for cats, it’s formulated with dogs in mind, which may contribute to cats not enjoying the taste as much
#3 Best Pill Wrap: Vetoquinol Pill Wrap for Dogs and Cats
The Vetoquinol pill wrap is very similar to the PET MD paste. You pinch out the treat and wrap it around the pill in the same way, and the tub is a similar size at 4 ounces and approximately 56 servings. Once again, smaller pills will make the paste last longer.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The best thing about these kinds of treats is that you can use what you need to wrap pills of any size. Even better, four of my six cats liked the taste of these treats and were asking for more. Unfortunately, the one I need to pill every day didn’t like them, even without her pill inside.
Like most of the treats on this list, the pill wrap is made for both dogs and cats. In some cases, it feels like the companies put dogs first when it comes to palatability, and these do smell like bacon-flavored dog treats to me. However, my cats loved them, so I think this is a great pick for multi-pet households.
What We Liked:
- Long-lasting with no waste–simply break off as much as you need to cover the pill
- Most of my cats loved the taste of the pill wrap
- Great for households with both cats and dogs on medication
What We Didn’t Like:
- Though it was popular amongst my cats, not all cats will eat this pill wrap
#4 Best Roll-Up Treat: SHASHIOS Wrap-Ups Dog & Cat Treat
SHASHIOS wrap-ups remind me of fruit roll-ups for humans! They’re packaged very similarly, and this makes them easy to use. Just roll out a small portion, break it off the roll, and wrap it around the pill. Pinch the edges tight so that it doesn’t fall out.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The wrap-ups come in four flavors: bacon, cheese, bacon cheeseburger, and peanut butter. I was pleased with the meat and cheese options, as they seem like flavors that cats might enjoy, unlike some pill-wrapping treats that only come in peanut butter flavors tailored more to dogs. I chose the cheese flavor for my own cats.
Unfortunately, this is another treat that only two of my cats would eat. However, those two did keep coming back for more, and other reviewers say that their cats enjoyed the taste as well.
I think part of the reason these aren’t as palatable to cats–while reviews from dog owners show more success–is that several of the ingredients (such as honey and brown rice syrup) are designed to add sweetness to the treat. While dogs have the tastebuds to enjoy sweet things, cats can’t taste sweetness!
What We Liked:
- Clever design is easy to use
- Break off as little or as much of the roll as you need depending on the size of your cat’s pill
- Comes in bacon and cheese flavors
- Limited ingredients compared to other pill wraps
What We Didn’t Like:
- Seems to be designed for sweetness with no meat ingredients, making the product more suitable for dogs than cats
- Most of my cats wouldn’t eat the treat
#5 Best Lickable Treat for Hiding Pills: Churu Lickable Cat Treats
When it comes to palatability, I’m not sure anything can beat Churu’s lickable cat treats. I’ve heard of cats who dislike them, but I’ve never seen it myself, and my own cats go wild when the Churu treats come out. They gnaw at the plastic instead of licking at it daintily, and swat at my hands if I don’t squeeze the treat up fast enough.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
These packets work like yogurt pouches. You tear the top off to reveal an opening, and then you can push the treat up with your fingers, either straight into your cat’s mouth or onto a plate.
Churu is my favorite lickable treat for hiding pills in because it’s thicker than other brands I’ve tried. It works best for small pills or powdered capsules that can be opened and poured into food. You can also give Churu as a reward for taking the treat, which can make pill time a little more exciting for your cat.
For solid pills, I found the most success by tucking the pill halfway inside of the opening at the top, then squeezing the treat directly into my cat’s mouth. My cat Dusty has since passed, but he used to come running for his pills after I added the Churu into our routine!
While I ordered the chicken variety pack this time around, I’ve been feeding Churu treats to my cats for years and have yet to find one that they dislike. If you’re unsure of which to buy, I recommend going with your cat’s favorite or purchasing a variety pack. You can also try their four-count packages if you want a small sample before committing to larger quantities.
What We Liked:
- Great for tiny pills or powdered capsules that can be sprinkled into food
- Most cats enjoy the taste, and the treats come in several meaty and fishy flavors
- Thick formula makes pilling cats easier when compared to other lickable treats
What We Didn’t Like:
- Doesn’t tend to work with large pills
- Since the treat isn’t solid, it can be more difficult to trick cats into swallowing the pill
#6 Best Pet Piller: VETONE Pet Piller for Dogs and Cats
VETONE pet pillers are a great alternative for cats who won’t eat their pills no matter how you disguise them. Sometimes, they’re just too stubborn or the pill is bitter and the taste can’t be hidden.
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
The pillers are simple to use. There’s a slit in the blue, rubbery tip that you can set the pill inside of. It’s flexible, so it works for pills of various sizes.
Press the tip of the syringe into your cat’s mouth, press the plunger, and you’re done! I used them for all four of my oldest cat’s pills, which range from teeny-tiny to pretty large for a cat pill. I found them best for your traditional round or oblong whole pills, but they worked for oddly-shaped and halved ones, too.
I loved that I didn’t have to reach into my cat’s mouth to give him his medications, and I think this is a great solution for cats who bite your fingers during pill time. I didn’t like having to clean the syringe each time, but whether the hassle is worth it will depend on your own preferences and how difficult your cat is to medicate by hand.
What We Liked:
- 20 multi-use pillers in each pack
- Flexible tip works for pills of any shape or size
- Quick and easy to use
What We Didn’t Like:
- Nothing!
How To Choose the Best Pill Pocket for Your Cat
Katelynn Sobus / Cats.com
Unfortunately, there aren’t many pill pockets for cats on the market yet. Many are formulated with dogs in mind but are safe for cats, too. The problem with this is that cats and dogs have different palates. For instance, dogs enjoy sweet flavors while cats are unable to taste them.
The best way to find a pill pocket your cat enjoys is to test them out, but this can get expensive. Here are some things to consider before buying:
- The flavor of the pill pocket. From my research, it seems like bacon and peanut butter are the most common flavors, followed by cheese and other meats. Be sure to choose something your individual cat will enjoy. If you’re unsure, opt for meaty flavors.
- The size of the package. When you’re trying a new brand for the first time, you might want to opt for the smallest package to avoid waste. On the other hand, many pill wraps come in tubs containing a big lump, almost like playdough, that you can break off and mold around the pill. These are long-lasting and cost-effective.
- The size of your cat’s pills. Greenies pill pockets work well for your typical pill, and can be torn in half for tiny pills. Some people prefer to be able to size the pill wrap themselves though, especially for abnormally tiny or large pills.
