If medicating your pet sometimes feels like a jiu-jitsu match, you are not alone. Many pets resist taking their medications, but drugs are necessary to manage disease, alleviate pain, and fight infection. Using patience and helpful tools, you can teach your reluctant rover or feisty feline to take their medications. Our All Breed Pet Care team offers some pro tips to help make the process smoother and less stressful for you and your furry friend.

Positive reinforcement for your pet

Many pets resist taking meds or cooperating with other care needs with which they’re unfamiliar. Pets thrive on routine and habit, and when you integrate medication administration into their routine, you help reduce their stress. Positive reinforcement relies on creating a positive association between the task and a reward for cooperation. While administering medication, always give your pet treats as a bonus. Praise your pet with a “good job” when they take their meds, and offer enticing feel-good activities, such as playtime or a walk, immediately after they have taken their medications.

Pro tips for giving your pet medication

Approaching your pet’s medication administration with a positive reinforcement goal in mind, helps make the task less stressful for you and your pet. In addition to positive reinforcement, you can successfully medicate your furry pal by following these tips:

  • Talk to your veterinarian — If your pet refuses to take pills or capsules, our veterinary team may prescribe liquid or topical medications if they are available. In addition, we can demonstrate techniques to make pill-giving tasks more accessible and less stressful.
  • Conceal medication in something tasty — Pill pockets, which are treats designed to conceal pills, are an effective tool for giving your pet their meds without fuss. Many medications can also be disguised in your pet’s soft treats, wet pet food, or other particular foods such as peanut butter, sliced cheese, lunch meat, or pumpkin puree. Remember to check the safety of any people food you give to your pet, as some include xylitol or chocolate, which are toxic to pets.
  • Use a pill popper or syringe — A pill popper or syringe can be an invaluable tool for administering medication, especially for pets who are difficult to pill manually or tend to bite. These devices make placing the pill at the back of your pet’s throat easier, reducing the risk of them spitting it out or biting you.
  • Be calm and reassuring — Your pet can pick up on your emotions, including your anxiety, so ensure you remain calm and confident during medication administration. Speak in a soothing tone and approach the task with patience and reassurance. If your pet becomes fearful, wait until they are relaxed and hungry, such as after a walk or before dinner, to try again to administer their medication. 
  • Follow dosage and timing instructions — Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions precisely when administering medication to your pet. This includes the dosage amount, frequency, and treatment duration. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s medications, contact our All Breed Pet Care team for clarification. Ensure your pet receives every medication dose to avoid limiting the treatment’s efficacy. 
  • Stay consistent — If you are following your veterinarian’s instructions, staying consistent with medication administration should establish a routine for your pet. Cats and dogs thrive on routine, so by establishing a consistent medication schedule, you help your pet adjust and feel more comfortable with the process. Administer medication at the same time each day and in the exact location to ensure predictability. 
  • Practice makes perfect — Medicating your furry pal may require a lot of patience and persistence, especially if they are resistant. Stay patient, and don’t get discouraged if your pet needs some practice cooperating. With time and practice, you can develop an effective pet medication administration strategy.

By following our All Breed Pet Care team’s pro tips and being patient and persistent, you can make medicating your pet more manageable and less stressful. If your pet is medication-resistant, reach out to us for guidance and support.