Whether you are dealing with a wiggly puppy or a feisty feline, medicating your pet can be daunting. You know your pet needs their medication, but forcing the issue can cause stress and damage your bond. Our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team has you covered! We offer pro medicating tips that will help ensure your pet gets the treatment they need.

1: Understand your pet’s medication 

When our veterinary team prescribes a medication for your pet, we want you to fully understand why they need the medication and every aspect of the drug. Considerations include:

  • Dosage — Knowing how much medication your pet needs for each dose is important. 
  • Frequency — We will explain how often your pet needs the medication. Keep in mind that if the medication label says twice daily, this means as close to 12 hours apart as possible. 
  • With or without food — Some medications must be taken with food, while others require an empty stomach. 
  • Storage — Improper storage can decrease the medication’s efficacy. We will specify how your pet’s medication should be stored.
  • Side effects — We will explain the medication’s potential side effects, so you know what signs to watch for. 

2: Stay calm when medicating your pet

Your pet picks up on your mood, and they can tell when you are upset or stressed. When medicating your pet, stay as calm as possible, so they don’t suspect a problem. If you are stressed, your four-legged friend will be stressed, and the process will be more difficult.

3:  Disguise your pet’s medication

Some pets are food-motivated, and you can hide their medication in a tasty treat. Specially designed pill pockets that make hiding pills easy are available at your local pet store. You can also hide your pet’s medication in their favorite treat, such as peanut butter, hot dogs, cheese, tuna fish, and deli meat. 

4: Make a game out of medicating your pet

A playful approach can make medicating your pet fun. Make three or four treats, but medicate only one. Toss the treats to your pet, starting with an unmedicated one, and then toss the rest one at a time. Your four-legged friend will gobble down their medication without realizing. 

You can also use your pet’s competitive streak to help medicate them. If you have multiple pets in your home, make treats for everyone. In the ensuing brouhaha, your pet won’t hesitate to take the medicated treat, but ensure that the right pet gets the treat with the medication.

5: Learn how to pill your pet

If your pet is not food motivated or they quickly learn that their medicated food is “tainted,” you can pill your pet. Steps include:

  • Gently grasp your dog’s upper jaw or your cat on either side of their face with your non-dominant hand.
  • Hold the pill in your dominant hand between your thumb and index finger and use your middle finger to open their lower jaw.
  • Place the pill as far inside their mouth as possible.
  • Close their mouth and gently stroke their throat to encourage swallowing.
  • Treat your pet once they swallow their medication.

6: Crush your pet’s medication

Some pets will more easily take medication in powder form and mixed with wet food or a substance like peanut butter. However, not all crushed medications remain effective, so ask our team first.

7: Ask for help when medicating your pet

Our team is always here for you and your pet, so never hesitate to ask us for help if medicating your pet is too difficult. We may prescribe a compounded medication to make the process easier, or we can demonstrate how best to administer your pet’s medication. 

If your pet isn’t cooperating with their medication, contact our Williamsburg Animal Clinic team. We can help you find an effective solution to ensure your pet gets the treatment they need.