Pilling is so variable, cat to cat, but is never easy. I've also gone the compounded route and it worked for me. The liquid that the drug is suspended in has a very strong taste (you can choose liver, beef or a fish flavor) to hide the bitterness of the pill, so you don't get foaming and spitting. Also, lifting the side of a cat's lip and sliding in the dropper is easier than opening the whole mouth. I was even able to get heart medicine compounded into an oitment that I rubbed into my cat's ears. I would never, ever have been able to medicate her otherwise. I was able to sit beside her hideaway place, fuss her head and slip a couple of (gloved) fingers into her ear to massage in the medication. Of course, the medication you are using may not be one that can be absorbed by the thin skin of the ears. I had the compounded meds shipped to me.

When pilling a cat, I also slide a few centimeters of their lip over their teeth with the hand I'm using to open their jaw. This makes a cat hesitate about biting down on your fingers since they would bite down on themselves also.

I continue to be amazed that Taranis, my most difficult and growly, snappy cat, actually opens her mouth for me to pill her. I regard it as a gift to my calloused fingers.