Published in the Oct. 28 – Nov. 10, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay
It is common for dog and cat owners to find themselves in a situation where their pet absolutely refuses to take pills. Clients who administer medication to their pet on a daily basis often figure out a routine that works best for their pet. But for pets starting on new daily medication or who have never taken medication, it can prove challenging. Here are a few tips to help you.
Hiding pills: The most common method for pill administration in dogs is finding something they really like and using it to camouflage the taste and smell of the medication. Common choices include cheese, deli meat, a small piece of hot dog, peanut butter and ice cream. Although none of these items are normally recommended as part of a pet’s diet, in very small amounts these are typically not harmful to most pets. Lower fat alternatives include fat free cheese or cream cheese or fat free white turkey hot dogs. There are also commercially available pill pockets in different flavors that can be molded around pills.
Compounded medications: Some medications can be ordered in a compounded formulation by your veterinarian. This can allow for you to order specific flavors. You can also order many medications in a formulation that suits your pet’s needs. Some pets do better with liquid formulation or chewables versus traditional pills.
Never hide pills in food: Although some animals will take pills in their normal food, it is a system that does not work well for most animals, especially cats. When animals get a taste of a non-flavored pill, they often refuse to eat that food. They begin to associate the bad flavor of medicine with that particular food We often have clients call because their pet has stopped eating after being recently started on a new medication, only to find that they are putting the pill directly into the food bowl.
Putting pill directly in mouth: Some pets will need medication placed directly into their mouth. Your veterinarian or staff can show you on how to administer pills this way. It is often helpful to chase the pill with a small amount of water in a syringe afterwards. Also, remember to reward them with a treat so they start to associate the pill with something good.
Rewards: Always try to remember to reward your pet for having taken their medication.
Veterinary assistance: If you are having difficulty getting medication into your pet, contact your veterinarian. The staff will often have helpful tips that can be catered to your specific pet or medication.
Puppies: When adopting a puppy or any new pet, make sure you start playing with their mouth early on. Start slowly and teach them that it is OK to have their mouth opened. You should be able to open your pet’s mouth and put your fingers in there without getting bitten.
Dr. Jeanne Haggerty-Arcay earned her undergraduate degrees from the College of Notre Dame, Belmont. She graduated from U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. She enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.
