As many pet owners know, giving medication to your furry friend is not the easiest of tasks. Whilst it is no doubt needed for them, your cat or dog won’t understand why you are trying to get them to eat a strange pill or funny tasting liquid medication.

Pets, much like us humans, might not always cooperate with taking their medication, and this can lead to a challenging situation for both you and your pet. However, there are some tried and tested methods that can help make this simple whether faced with clenched teeth, a shaking head, or even a feisty reaction from your cat or dog.

Knowing What’s Best For Your Pet

Being able to give your pet medicine properly when prescribed by your vet is important. If they are being difficult, and you’ll know them better than anyone, you’ll need to find a solution. After all, your pet needs their medication for good reason, so speaking to your vet if you have concerns early on is always a good idea.

Pet medications come in various forms, from oral pills and liquids to topical ointments and ear drops, as well as injections, depending on the condition it’s treating. If you had difficulty with giving your pet a certain type of medication before, your vet may be able to offer advice or an alternative.

Some pets may have specific dislikes or even become aggressive if trying to give them certain medication, so do discuss this with your vet. As per the PDSA, most cats don’t like being given medication like a pill, so see if your vet can recommend an easier alternative. Remember, they are the experts and most likely have encountered the same problems before.

How To Prepare Before Giving Medication

Whether you have a cat or dog, you need to choose the right moment to give them medication and understand what you need to do. This does need to be aligned with the advice given by your vet, such as at certain times of day or with meals, so do follow these instructions. Also, be sure you fully understand the correct dosage and how you need to administer the medication.

You’ll want to keep a good routine for this, especially if they require medication for weeks or even longer. If you can do so in a relaxed and quiet environment this can help, as well as away from any other distractions that may disrupt the routine. Have everything you need in this quiet spot so that when it comes to medicine time, you can easily reach them – just be sure to keep any medication out of reach of your pet!

You may want to practice your technique too. Hopefully, your pet is used to you touching their head or mouth from an early age and won’t react negatively to this. Similarly, with ear drops or ointment that needs to be applied to the skin, you’ll want to ensure your pet is ok with you touching these areas. As per the Dogs Trust, you may want to train your dog to take tablets or pills before doing so for real, as this will make the process much easier.

Top Techniques for Giving Medication to Dogs

For Oral Medication:

• Pill Pockets – These are simply treats that have a space for hiding pills. Most dogs will eagerly take the treat (no surprises there) without noticing the medicine inside.
• Food Disguise – If you don’t have pill pockets, you can hide the pill in a small amount of their favourite food. If they usually eat dry food, this can be difficult, so use a favourite treat or snack that is safe for dogs such as a piece of cheese or a spoonful of peanut butter – just be sure to avoid peanut butter that contains xylitol as this is toxic for dogs, as per the Blue Cross. Ensure that the food is safe for your dog and that the entire piece is consumed. Only crush up the pill to mix in their food if your vet confirms this is ok.
• Manual technique – If food disguises are not working, such as them spitting the pill out, you’ll need to manually administer the pill. Gently open your dog’s mouth, place the pill at the back of the tongue, close the mouth, and lightly stroke their throat as this will encourage swallowing.

For Liquid Medication:

• Using a syringe or dropper is the best way to administer liquid medication directly into the side of your dog’s mouth. Your vet will supply this alongside the liquid to use.
• Have your dog sit in front of you with their head up, encourage them gently to open their mouth and put the syringe in at the side. Remove and carefully close their mouth ensuring they have swallowed the liquid.
• If you have difficulty with using a syringe, ask your vet if the liquid can be mixed with their food instead – just be sure to check they have eaten it all.

For Injections:

• If the medication requires injections at home, your vet will show you how to do so and provide a demonstration to guide you through the process.
• It’s essential to be calm and help your dog into a comfortable, relaxed position. Ideally, have someone help you do so to help them stay still. After the injection is done, massage the area as it may feel slightly sore for your dog.

Top Techniques for Giving Medication to Cats

For Tablets:

• Pill Pockets – Much like with dogs, these can also be very effective for cats. It will help to mask the smell and taste, so choose those suitable for a cat.
• Hide in food – Place the tablet between two layers of a yummy treat that your cat loves, or if your vet agrees, mix it into a small amount of soft cat food, ensuring the tablet is well-hidden.
• Manual Method – This can be trickier with a cat if the above doesn’t work. Their mouths are generally smaller than some dogs, so can be difficult to open. You may want to restrain them by wrapping them gently and calmly in a towel or blanket as this will help to hold them still. Gently hold their head and open their jaw as carefully as possible, place the tablet far back on the tongue, then close their mouth immediately. Gently stroke their throat to encourage swallowing. If you have concerns, speak to your vet to see if they can help or provide an alternative option.

For Liquid Medication:

• Mix with Food – The liquid can sometimes be mixed with a small amount of their favourite wet food. However, confirm with your vet first as some need to be absorbed without food.
• Syringe Method – Just like with a dog, using a syringe can be the easiest method. Have your cat on your lap and restrained if needed and gently open their mouth. Insert the syringe at the side of the cheek pocket and squirt the medication in.

For Injections:

• Same as a dog, your vet will show you the proper technique for injections to do at home safely for your cat. Make sure they are comfortable and relaxed, with the help of someone else to hold them still. Once done, massage the area.

Getting Your Vet’s Help When Required

When your pet does become ill or requires medication to help them back to good health, it can be a stressful time. The costs involved with this can also be a cause for worry, especially if you have to pay out of pocket unexpectedly.

If you have suitable pet insurance that comprehensively covers emergency treatment for illness or accidents, you’ll be confident you can cover this without a problem. Even if your pet has a pre-existing condition, a lifetime policy can significantly save money on vet fees, so it’s best to compare options and choose a reputable provider that can help.

If your pet stays in good health, they can avoid having to take medication for long periods. When they do, hopefully, the tips above will help you have no issues giving them the medication they need. Speak to your vet immediately if you do have concerns – they are there to help you and prevent any smaller issues from becoming a larger problem for your furry friend.