If you have a pet, chances are that you will need to give it medicine at some point during its life. However, getting a dog or catto take pet medications can be quite difficult, especially if you are not sure of how to administer them properly. If this is the case with you, follow these tips!
Giving Medicine to Dogs and Cats
The following useful tips can help:
First of all, it is highly important that you always follow your veterinarian’s instructions when administering dog or cat medication to your furry friend. Read the labels carefully and never give more or less medicine to your pet than your are instructed to do. Additionally, if you have any questions, do not be afraid to ask your vet.
Administering Liquid Cat and Dog Medication
The easiest way to give liquid pet medications is to mix the medicine in with some canned food that your pet loves. Make sure that you do this at a time when your pet is hungry and will be sure to eat the entire meal. Other things you may choose to add the medicine to include cooked ground beef and cooked brown rice with gravy.
If your vet tells you that the medicine cannot be mixed with food or if your pet refuses to eat the food, you will need to administer the medication using a dropper or syringe. Have someone hold your dog or cat securely and fill the dropper or syringe to the required level.
Next, insert the dropper or syringe into the side of your pet’s mouth until it reaches just behind the back teeth. Holding the mouth shut, express the medicine into the mouth. Keep the mouth shut for about 30 seconds and gently rub downwards on the throat as this will encourage swallowing.
Administering Pet Medications in Pill Form
Getting your pet to take pills can be a bit trickier than administering liquid medications. However, just as with liquid medicine, if the pill can be mixed with food, you can hide it in something your pet likes. Simply ground the pill down to a powder and hide it in such foods as canned pet food, cooked burger or cheese.
Again, just as with liquid dog and cat medication, if your pet refuses to eat the food or if the pill cannot be mixed with food, you will need to administer it manually. Have a helper hold your pet securely and grasp the top of its muzzle. Gently pinch in at the sides. This will encourage the mouth to open.
After the mouth is open, carefully place the pill as far back on the tongue as you can. Quickly close the mouth, hold it shut for 30 seconds and gently rub downwards on the throat. This should encourage your pet to swallow. However, be sure to check your pet’s mouth to ensure that the pill was swallowed.
Every dog and cat will most likely need to take pet medications sometime during their lives. If you have tried to give medicine to your pet, you probably know that it can be a bit difficult. Nevertheless, if you follow these easy tips, you will see that giving medications to pets is actually quite easy.
