Giving your pet oral medications can be challenging, so it’s important to follow the proper procedure. Your veterinarian may prescribe oral medications in pill or liquid form. They will also provide information on administering the medication, correct dosages, and how often to give pills or liquids.
It is very important to follow the treatment advice closely. Administer medications exactly as instructed and avoid adjusting dosages or stopping treatment early. Please ask your veterinarian if you need more information about any medications your pet has been prescribed.
Giving Your Pet Pills
The simplest way to give your pet pills is by hiding them in treats. Before doing this, check with your veterinarian that your pet’s medication can be taken with food. It is best to hide pills in small treats to ensure your pet finishes the food and receives the correct dosage of medication.
Treats such as peanut butter, cream cheese, and tuna are popular with pets. Commercial treats with pill pockets are also available online. You can also try mixing crushed pills or powder from capsules into your pet’s food.
In some cases, pets may refuse to eat medicated treats as pills can have a bitter taste. If this happens, it will be necessary to administer medications directly by mouth. To do this, please refer to the following step-by-step instructions.
- Sit your pet down in front of you in a comfortable position.
- Hold the pill between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand.
- Place your non-dominant hand over your dog’s muzzle or the top of your cat’s head.
- Place the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand behind the canine teeth (the long, pointed teeth at the front of your pet’s mouth).
- Using the same hand, gently open your pet’s mouth while tilting their head back.
- Place the pill in your pet’s mouth as near to their throat as possible.
- Close your pet’s mouth and rub their throat to encourage them to swallow.
Giving Your Pet Liquid Medications
Just as with pills, it may be possible to mix liquid medication into your pet’s food. Please ask your veterinarian for advice on this issue, or refer to the following instructions when administering liquid medications directly by mouth.
- Sit your pet down in front of you in a comfortable position.
- Fill the provided syringe or dropper with the correct amount of liquid medication. It may be helpful to warm it between your hands if the medication has been refrigerated.
- Hold the back of your pet’s head with one hand.
- Using the other hand, insert the syringe or dropper into the side of your pet’s mouth behind the canine teeth.
- Aim the syringe or dropper towards the back of your pet’s throat, then slowly squeeze it to dispense the medication.
- Rub your pet’s throat and allow them time to swallow the medication
