How to Medicate Your Pet Like a Professional

One crucial aspect of pet care is ensuring your furry pal receives the medication they need when they need it. Medication administration is important for treating various ailments, preventing diseases, and managing chronic conditions. However, administering medication to pets can be challenging, but following their prescribed treatment plan is always essential.

To help ensure your four-legged friend receives their medicine, our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team shares our collective wisdom about pet medication tips and tricks.

Common Challenges When Medicating Pets

First, let’s explore why medicating pets can be so difficult. One common challenge is pet resistance. Cats and dogs may become anxious or fearful when approached with medication, making administration difficult, while some pets are turned off by a medication’s bitter taste or unpleasant odor.

Another challenge is the physical restraint required to administer medication. Dogs, especially larger breeds, can strongly resist being restrained, making holding them still long enough to administer the medication a challenge. Cats, on the other hand, are notoriously agile and able to escape from medicating attempts.

Furthermore, some pets are averse to specific medication forms, such as pills or liquids. Such an aversion means pet owners must find alternative, acceptable methods to administer medication to their pets.

General Tips for Medicating Pets

Here are some strategies that can help you medicate your pet like a professional and help ensure a smoother, less stressful process for you and your pet:

  • Use positive reinforcement — Use treats or rewards before and after medication administration so your pet associates the experience with the positive outcome. This can help reduce anxiety and make the process more enjoyable for your pet.
  • Disguise medication — Conceal medication in treats, soft foods, or specially formulated pill pockets, which can help mask the medication’s taste and smell and make it more palatable for your pet.
  • Crush or mix medication — If possible, crush pills or mix liquid medication with a small amount of your pet's favorite food. Ensure that your pet consumes the entire mixture to guarantee they receive the full dosage. Ask your veterinarian before crushing your pet’s medication to ensure the drug will still be effective.
  • Administer medication in a calm environment — Choose a quiet and comfortable space to administer medication. Minimize distractions and create a calm atmosphere to reduce stress for both you and your pet.
  • Ask about compounded options — Compounding pharmacies specialize in customizing medications to meet the specific needs of individual pets. They can create medication in different forms, such as flavored liquids or transdermal gels, that make administration easier.

Techniques for Medicating Cats

Cats can be notoriously finicky about taking medication. However, you can successfully medicate your feline companion with strategies specifically tailored for cats, which include:

  • Pill pockets — Use specially designed pill pockets that hide the medication inside a tasty treat. These pill pockets are available in various flavors and can make the medication process more enjoyable for your cat.
  • Liquid medication — If your cat refuses to take pills, ask if the medication is available in liquid form. Liquid medication can be administered using a syringe, allowing for more precise dosage and easier administration.
  • Wrapping in a towel — For particularly resistant cats, wrap them gently in a towel, leaving only their head exposed. This technique provides a sense of security and limits their movement, making administration easier.

Remember, patience is key when medicating cats. Take your time, be gentle, and reward your feline friend with treats and praise after they take their medicine.

Techniques for Medicating Dogs

Medicating dogs can be a little easier than cats but still requires some know-how. Here are a few techniques to help you medicate your canine companion:

  • Hiding in food — Dogs love treats, so why not hide their medication in their favorite food? Wrap the pill in a small piece of cheese, peanut butter, or meat to entice your dog—they will gobble up without even noticing.
  • Crushing and mixing — If your dog refuses to take pills, consult with our veterinarian about crushing the medication and mixing with their regular food. Mix thoroughly to ensure your dog consumes the entire dosage.
  • Using a pill dispenser — Pill dispensers are helpful tools for administering medication to pets, because you can place the pill directly at the back of your dog's throat, ensuring it is swallowed while your fingers stay safe.
  • Creating a competition — If you have multiple household dogs, create a treat competition. Most dogs refuse to let others snatch up their treats, so give all your dogs treats at the same time, ensuring the dog who needs medication receives a treat-wrapped pill. Your dogs will eagerly consume their snacks to prevent others from eating them.

Administering medication to your pet may present challenges, but patience, persistence, and the right approach can help ensure a manageable task. However, if your pet is particularly adept at refusing medication, contact our Santa Monica Pet Medical Center team for assistance.