Unless you have a food-motivated chowhound or chowcat, medicating your pet may not come easy. However, whether the drug is for a temporary illness or a chronic condition, properly medicating your pet is crucial for their recovery and well-being. Our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team shares insider tips on how to successfully and safely medicate your furry friend.

Preparing to administer your pet’s medication

Preparation can make the medication process go smoothly for you and your pet. Follow these steps before you corral your pet:

  • Gather supplies — Have everything you need within reach, such as the medication, a syringe or dropper, treats, a towel, and possibly a helper.
  • Stay calm — Pets can sense your anxiety. Stay calm and confident to avoid making your pet anxious or fearful.
  • Create a comfortable environment — Choose a quiet and comfortable area where your pet feels safe to reduce stress and make the medicating process easier.

Administering pills to your pet

Pills are one of the most common medication forms for pets. Here’s how to administer them effectively:

  • Hide a pill in food — Many pets readily take pills if they are hidden in a small amount of food, such as cheese, peanut butter, or a commercial pill pocket. Ensure the food is compatible with your pet’s diet and won’t interfere with the medication. Canned diets can also be used to make a meatball to hide your pet’s medication. This is especially helpful if your pet has a food allergy or sensitivity and can’t eat other foods. Many dry foods have a canned version to facilitate the process.
  • Manually administer — To “pill” your dog, gently open their mouth and place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible. Close the mouth and stroke their throat or blow on their nose to encourage swallowing. To “pill” your cat, wrap them in a towel to prevent scratching—or escape—and follow the canine technique. 
  • Use a pill gun — A pill gun or pill popper can be helpful, especially for pets who are difficult to handle. These tools allow you to place the pill directly at the back of the throat without putting your fingers inside your pet’s mouth.

Administering liquid medication to your pet

If you cannot medicate your pet using a pill, the drug may be available in liquid form. Liquid medications can be a cinch to administer by following these tips:

  • Use a syringe — Most liquid medications come with a syringe or dropper, but using a syringe is often the easiest method. A syringe typically allows more control over dose measurements and administration, preventing incorrect dosing or accidental early administration.
  • Position the syringe properly — Hold your pet’s head tilted slightly upward and insert the syringe into the side of their mouth between the cheek and teeth. Slowly squirt in the medication, allowing your pet time to swallow as needed.
  • Follow with a treat — If the medication has a strong taste, follow it up with a small treat to reward your pet and wash away the bad flavor.

Administering topical medication to your pet

Topical medications are applied to the skin or fur and can be tricky to keep in place. However, you can successfully administer your pet’s topical medication by following these tips:

  • Clean the area — Ensure the application area is clean and dry before applying the topical medication.
  • Prevent licking — Pets often want to rub or lick off topical medications and may groom medication off each other. Use an Elizabethan collar (i.e., cone), distract your pet with a toy or treat, and separate your pets if necessary until the medication is absorbed.

Administering eye or ear medications to your pet

Administering eye or ear medication requires precision and patience to ensure correct placement. Follow these tips for successful administration:

  • Gently restrain — Gently but firmly hold your pet’s head to keep them still. A towel wrap or assistant may be needed for distraction or to keep your pet in place.
  • Keep the applicator clean — When administering eye medication, tilt your pet’s head up, roll the bottom eyelid down to create a pocket, and drip or apply drops or ointment into the pocket without touching the eye. Allow your pet to blink and spread the medication. When administering ear drops or ointment, avoid contaminating the applicator tip. Gently pull the ear flap to expose and straighten out the ear canal, then administer the medication. Massage the base of the ear to disperse the medication into every crevice and further down the ear canal

Tips for medication administration success

Our veterinarian prescribes medication to your pet to treat an illness. To ensure your pet’s medications successfully ease or resolve your furry pal’s condition, follow these tips:

  • Be consistent — Administer medication at the same time every day to create a routine.
  • Use positive reinforcement — Reward your pet with praise, affection, and treats after they take their medication.
  • Discuss alternatives — If your pet will not take their medication in the prescribed form, ask about alternative options. Compounding pharmacies can add appealing flavors to liquid medications, formulate tiny pills that melt in the mouth, or create a transdermal gel that can be applied to your pet’s ear flap. 

If your furry friend is resistant to being medicated, give our Cobb & Co Veterinary Clinic team a call to discuss alternatives.