REVIEW ON ADVANCEMENTS IN SOFT GELATIN CAPSULES FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE: FORMULATION, MANUFACTURING, AND APPLICATIONS

ABSTRACT Background: The administration of oral medications to companion animals particularly cats remains a substantial challenge due to issues of palatability, inconsistent voluntary uptake and species‑specific constraints (e.g., feline aversion to tablets). This review addresses the intersection of formulation science, manufacturing technology and veterinary medicine in the development of soft‑gelatin capsules (SGCs) and analogous oral dosage forms for pets. Methods: A systematic examination of the literature and manufacturing practices was undertaken, focusing on (1) palatability and animal‑species acceptance, (2) formulation design of SGCs including shell and fill matrix aspects and (3) manufacturing processes and quality assurance tailored to veterinary usage. Results: Palatability & species‐specific uptake, Formulation design of SGCs, Manufacturing technology, Quality assurance & regulatory aspects, Application domains. This review offers a structured framework linking palatability and species‑acceptance, formulation design and manufacturing technology to dosing outcomes in companion‑animal oral therapy. It serves as a roadmap for future research and product development in veterinary soft‑gel dosage forms, emphasising harmonised acceptance‑testing, tailored manufacturing and regulatory alignment in the pet‑medication field.