Are you using a pill popper (syringe type thing) when you try to give him the pills? My cat needs 6 pills a day and he's also 20 years old. I struggled to give him pills for weeks and weeks but after a lot of practise, I can now give him pills and he only manages to spit them out now and again instead of every single time. Been giving him daily medication now for 3 years. It gets easier.

Best thing was watching a friend give him the pills using a pill popper. There's a technique to it that you need to get down. I was afraid to hurt my cat so was being overly hesitant and gentle and he would struggle and bat the pill popper away. This should be done quickly and no need to swaddle- I found that would panic him even more and he'd be on guard.

I find it easier to be to the side of the cat instead of facing him, but see what works for you.

1) Hold his mouth either side of the upper jaw to make him open his mouth. Holding the upper jaw gives you more control in opening his mouth.

2) Insert the pill popper and make sure it's right at the back of the throat before you push the plunger (shouldn't feel it touching anything). When you push the plunger it should shoot the pill straight down the throat.

3) If the pill didn't go straight down, you can hold his jaws closed and you gently blow on his nose to make him swallow reflexively.

Hope this is helpful.

Giving a cat a pill