Tips for giving medicine to your pet

At any given point, whether to prevent parasites or treat an illness, a pet will need medication. Administering medicine orally to an animal has its challenges; however, with these tips and tricks, it can be done with ease.

Before giving any medication it is important to talk with your veterinarian.  It is essential to know how each medication needs to be given – morning or night, with food or not, etc.

One of the simplest ways to give medication in a pill form to a dog or cat is by hiding it inside a treat. There are treats made specifically for hiding medication available at veterinarians, pet stores, and neighborhood markets. Some human foods can also hide pet medications and sometimes pets find it more appealing. Some options that work well are peanut butter (be sure there is no xylitol), deli meats, and cheese. Of course, you can always hide tablets or liquid by mixing them into canned pet food.

Sometimes you need to make it a game for your pet to catch the treat with the medication for even more motivation to consume it. One way is by using several treats and hiding the tablet or pill in one of them. Next, you play a game with your dog by tossing them a treat to catch. Your dog should be focused on the game or catching that they do not notice the medication within one of the treats.

Many of the most commonly prescribed medications for pets, such as oral flea and tick preventatives and pain-relieving drugs are available in good-tasting tablets and chews.  However, if you are having difficulty getting your pet to ingest a prescribed medication, you can ask your veterinarian if there is a better tasting version or easier-to-giver form.

It is important to make sure that your pet has consumed the medication and did not spit it out.  Some animals become smart to the tricks or their noses can tell when something is being hidden in a treat or food.

As a last resort, you can learn to pill your pet. Your veterinarian can show you how to safely give the tablet or capsule to your pet.  Medicating your pet can be stressful for both you and your animal(s), but it does not have to be. Cumberland Animal Hospital’s veterinarians in Fayetteville, NC are always available to assist you. Please call 910-822-3337 to schedule an appointment today to ask any questions.