Giving pills to a cat

Now that Sassy is home, we have to give her three different meds a day in pill form. What's the best way you have found to get your cats to take pills without having to force it into their throats?

Thanks!


Edit: Ooops I didn't see a similiar post down a bit!

The way I've been giving Swanie his pills (after much trial and error), is to mash the pill down to fine powder and mix it in as small amount of food (or cheese, or something) as I can to get it all hidden. Then I put that on my finger and he licks it off. If he doesn't eat it all, I "accidentally" smear it on his paw or leg.

You have to check with the vet to make sure you can mash it and put it in food, though. Some pills you can't. But it certainly has reduced the stress in all of us doing it that way.

Depending on the size of the pills, I'd probably get some empty gelcaps (often found at natural food stores and some pharmacies) so that you can give them in one dose. While you still have to force the capsule down the cat's throat, you can coat it in butter or other substances to make it tasty and the capsule by itself will mask any icky tastes.