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Giving Your Pets Medication

For anyone who’s ever tried to give their pet medication, they know it’s no normal feat. Properly treating your pet when she’s ill is just as important as tending to yourself or your child when sick, and is crucial to maintaining a healthy lifestyle for your pet.

Three Ways to Give Medication

Dr. Cori Gross, field veterinarian for Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) says there are three ways to give pets their medication: as part of a treat, to “pill them” (physically give the pet her medication) or through a transdermal gel, which is absorbed into the pet’s skin.

“Regardless of the type of medication you give your pets, it’s important that you’re confident and forceful, and give the medication quickly,” Gross explains. “The longer you draw it out, the more miserable your pets will be and you want to avoid traumatizing them at all costs.”

Pet Medication as Treats

Gross says that for the vast majority of pets, the easiest way to get your pet to take her medication is to give it to her as part of a treat. Gross recommends giving your pet a treat without medication first to make sure the pet accepts it; then include the pill in the next treat.

However, Gross warns: “Be careful when wrapping the pill in meat or any type of food that might allow the bitter powder from the pill to transfer from your fingers onto the outside of the treat. Use one hand to hold the pill and the other hand to hold the treat; then combine them.”

Pill Form Versus Liquid

Of course, not all pets like treats. For those that have to force their pets to take medication, pet owners should ask their veterinarians for a demonstration on the correct way to hold their pet so they can properly give them medication at home.

For some medications, pet owners have the choice between pill form and liquid. Although some may find it easier to give their pets liquid versus an actual pill, Gross says it may not be the best choice. “Giving your pet a pill is less traumatic than liquid,” she says. “Liquids coat the inside of the animal’s mouth, leaving an aftertaste your pet may not like.”

Gross suggests wrapping a pill in butter or cream cheese to help lubricate the pill and make it easier to swallow.

Water Helps

Nevertheless, just like pills can get stuck in a human’s throat, a dog can’t ask for a glass of water to help wash it down. “Some pills are very acidic and if allowed to dissolve in an animal’s throat, can cause esophagus problems and can become a medical issue. It helps to have a cotton ball soaked in water nearby to help chase the pill,” Gross explains. “You can easily drizzle water from the cotton into or around your pet’s mouth, which prompts them to lick their lips and take the water.”

When giving an animal liquid medication, pet owners should give it with a dosing syringe or other delivery method. Some pet owners find it easier to insert the syringe in the corner of the pet’s mouth when doing this. Again, ask your veterinarian to demonstrate how to properly hold your pet.

Transdermal Medication

Another form of medication available to pet owners is transdermal gel, which is when a medication is compounded at a pharmacy into a gel form that can be absorbed into a pet’s skin. Not all medications are able to be compounded; therefore you’ll need to consult with your veterinarian on the options available with your pet’s prescribed medication.

Never Give an Animal Human Medication

Don’t, under any circumstances, give your pet any medication that wasn’t prescribed specifically for her, including human medication.

“Never give a pet human medication,” warns Gross. “The main reason being that most human medications will be toxic to the pet, with a secondary concern being that you can inappropriately dose.”

Gross says that acetaminophen, the type of drug used for humans to relieve fever, headaches, and other minor aches and pains, can kill pets.

Other things to keep in mind:

• Don’t give your pet her medication past the expiration date. Consult with your veterinarian to see if the medication is still effective.
• Should your pet experience side effects as a result of medication, discontinue use and contact your veterinarian immediately.
• Always give your pet the prescribed medication dose; don’t under- or overdose.

If your pet is sick, make an appointment with your veterinarian as soon as possible.

Return to the VPI Pet HealthZone

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