Tips & Tricks to Get Your Pet to Take Their Medicine
www.southbostonanimalhospital.com
(Dr. Natalie Waggener has a great Blog on the above website - more than worth a visit and if your reading this and are in the South Boston area, would definitely visit this vet!)
www.southbostonanimalhospital.com
(Dr. Natalie Waggener has a great Blog on the above website - more than worth a visit and if your reading this and are in the South Boston area, would definitely visit this vet!)
Has your veterinarian prescribed an oral medication for your pet? If so, you're probably anticipating a struggle. Nobody likes to take their medicine, and you might think that even Mary Poppins and her spoonful of sugar would lose a wrestling match with your dog or cat.
Here are some tips to make medication time less stressful for both you and your companion, followed by the administration techniques we most frequently recommend for giving pills and liquid medication to your pet.
Ask your vet for advice
We understand that your pet's "medication time" is no fun for you, either. When we prescribe home care and medication for your pet, we'll send you home with important information and instructions, and we encourage you to ask questions before you and your pet leave the clinic.
Can you administer liquid medicine at room temperature? Cold sensations might be uncomfortable for your pet. Do your pet's dietary restrictions prevent you from being able to use cream cheese or peanut butter to hide the flavor?
If your pet has an injury or illness, your South Boston Animal Hospital veterinarian will recommend the best technique for restraining your pet and administering its medication based on the animal's specific condition. Ask your vet to demonstrate their preferred method for giving your pet its medication, as well as an alternative approach.
Be prepared
Have everything you need ready and within reach when it's time to medicate your pet, including a clean towel, treats, and, if necessary, a helper. If you're sneaking the medication in canned pet food, try and serve it at room temperature, but don't microwave medications. Instead, fill an oral syringe with a single dose, and let it sit in lukewarm water for a few minutes to raise the temperature.
Set a positive tone
Animals pick up on routines fairly quickly and tend to disappear when that routine suddenly involves an unpleasant experience. Put yourself in a relaxed mindset before you engage your pet so he doesn't pick up on your anxiety. Does your dog or cat enjoy a gentle massage? Relax him for a few moments with a soothing rub.
After you've administered the medication, give your pet her favorite toy or treat, and play with or cuddle her to get her to remember the session as a positive one.
Here are some tips to make medication time less stressful for both you and your companion, followed by the administration techniques we most frequently recommend for giving pills and liquid medication to your pet.
Ask your vet for advice
We understand that your pet's "medication time" is no fun for you, either. When we prescribe home care and medication for your pet, we'll send you home with important information and instructions, and we encourage you to ask questions before you and your pet leave the clinic.
Can you administer liquid medicine at room temperature? Cold sensations might be uncomfortable for your pet. Do your pet's dietary restrictions prevent you from being able to use cream cheese or peanut butter to hide the flavor?
If your pet has an injury or illness, your South Boston Animal Hospital veterinarian will recommend the best technique for restraining your pet and administering its medication based on the animal's specific condition. Ask your vet to demonstrate their preferred method for giving your pet its medication, as well as an alternative approach.
Be prepared
Have everything you need ready and within reach when it's time to medicate your pet, including a clean towel, treats, and, if necessary, a helper. If you're sneaking the medication in canned pet food, try and serve it at room temperature, but don't microwave medications. Instead, fill an oral syringe with a single dose, and let it sit in lukewarm water for a few minutes to raise the temperature.
Set a positive tone
Animals pick up on routines fairly quickly and tend to disappear when that routine suddenly involves an unpleasant experience. Put yourself in a relaxed mindset before you engage your pet so he doesn't pick up on your anxiety. Does your dog or cat enjoy a gentle massage? Relax him for a few moments with a soothing rub.
After you've administered the medication, give your pet her favorite toy or treat, and play with or cuddle her to get her to remember the session as a positive one.
"A positive attitude can go a long way
when attempting
the dreaded task of giving your pet medication."
when attempting
the dreaded task of giving your pet medication."
Techniques for administering pills
Tablets can be tricky, and dogs and cats have the uncanny ability to spit out pills long after you're convinced they've been swallowed. You can either sneak your pet a tablet (whole or ground up) in canned food, cream cheese or peanut butter, and watch him for several minutes to make sure he's eaten the whole package, or opt for a more surefire delivery method.
The best way to make sure your pet ingests her medicine is by placing the tablet on the back of her tongue. Here's how to do it right:
Tablets can be tricky, and dogs and cats have the uncanny ability to spit out pills long after you're convinced they've been swallowed. You can either sneak your pet a tablet (whole or ground up) in canned food, cream cheese or peanut butter, and watch him for several minutes to make sure he's eaten the whole package, or opt for a more surefire delivery method.
The best way to make sure your pet ingests her medicine is by placing the tablet on the back of her tongue. Here's how to do it right:
- Hold your dog or cat on your lap or between your legs, with the animal facing away from you.
- If the animal is small, wrap her in a clean towel to give her a sense of security.
- Use your index finger on your non-dominant hand to open your pet's mouth, and with your dominant hand, place the pill on the back of the pet's tongue.
- Tilt her head up, and gently stroke her throat to trigger the swallowing reflex.
- Give her a treat to "chase" down the medication.
VET'S TIP: If your pet is having problems with a particularly bad tasting medicine, place the tablets inside tiny gel caps to hide the taste!
You might want to ask your vet if you should use a pill syringe to help you place the pill. Otherwise known as "pill droppers", these plastic tubes with plungers allow you to place a tablet on the back of your pet's tongue with reduced risk of injury to your hands. Be sure to select a pill syringe that's compatible with your pet's tablet diameter.
Techniques for administering oral liquid medication
Many liquid medications are pre-mixed with flavoring pets love, but even so, your picky pet might object. If this sounds like your dog or cat, mix the liquid with her favorite canned food, and hand-feed it to make sure she's consumed the entire dose. Another trick? If your pet is having problems with a particularly bad tasting med, we like to recommend that you place the tablet inside tiny gel caps to hide the taste.
Has your dog lost his appetite, or is your cat being particularly stubborn? You might need to deliver the oral suspension with a liquid syringe provided by your veterinarian.
Hold your pet as described above for administering tablets on the back of the tongue, and with your finger, open your pet's mouth. Insert the syringe just inside the teeth, and gradually press the plunger, while rubbing your pet's throat; if the medication is liquid, you don't want your pet to choke or aspirate.
We're here to help
Every interaction with your pet can be a positive one, even when you're giving them their medications. We at South Boston Animal Hospital are here for you every step of the way, and we want to make sure you're comfortable and confident when you need to administer medications or follow through with home care tasks for your pet.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you need one of our veterinarians or staff members to answer any question about your pet's medication.
Techniques for administering oral liquid medication
Many liquid medications are pre-mixed with flavoring pets love, but even so, your picky pet might object. If this sounds like your dog or cat, mix the liquid with her favorite canned food, and hand-feed it to make sure she's consumed the entire dose. Another trick? If your pet is having problems with a particularly bad tasting med, we like to recommend that you place the tablet inside tiny gel caps to hide the taste.
Has your dog lost his appetite, or is your cat being particularly stubborn? You might need to deliver the oral suspension with a liquid syringe provided by your veterinarian.
Hold your pet as described above for administering tablets on the back of the tongue, and with your finger, open your pet's mouth. Insert the syringe just inside the teeth, and gradually press the plunger, while rubbing your pet's throat; if the medication is liquid, you don't want your pet to choke or aspirate.
We're here to help
Every interaction with your pet can be a positive one, even when you're giving them their medications. We at South Boston Animal Hospital are here for you every step of the way, and we want to make sure you're comfortable and confident when you need to administer medications or follow through with home care tasks for your pet.
Don't hesitate to contact us if you need one of our veterinarians or staff members to answer any question about your pet's medication.
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