Mastering Medication Time: Tips for Picky Pets and Worried Owners

Mastering Medication Time: Tips for Picky Pets and Worried Owners

You’re not a bad pet parent if your pet won’t take their medication. It just means they need a different approach — and we’re here to help!

The good news? There are proven strategies to make medication time easier, safer, and way less stressful for both of you. As a veterinary compounding pharmacy, we’re all about helping you find medication solutions that work and that starts with knowing how to give them effectively.

Here are our top tips to outsmart even the pickiest pet at pill time:

1. Using treats/food

  • Hide the medication in the centre of the food and shape a small portion of food around it to conceal it

  • Treat → Treat + Medication → Treat: give 3 treats in a row and hide the pill in the second one. Be sure to give the third treat to build trust!

  • Some medications can be crushed and mixed with water or food - make sure to check with your veterinarian or pharmacist before administering!

2. Giving by hand

  • Wrap your pet in a towel like a burrito 

  • Place them in your lap with their face pointing away from you

  • Hold your pet’s face with one hand

  • Place your thumb on one side of the upper jaw and your fingers on the other side

  • In your other hand have the medication between your pointer finger and index finger and use the remaining fingers to open the lower jaw

  • Reach your hand into the back of your pet’s mouth and place the medication on top of their tongue as far back as possible

  • Close your pet’s mouth and gently hold it shut to allow them to swallow

  • Rub their throat or lightly blow on their nose to help facilitate swallowing

3. Use a pill gun

  • Load the tablet or capsule into the device

  • Place the pill gun into the back of your pet’s mouth 

  • Release the medication as far back into their mouth as you can 

4. Ask your vet about a compounded alternative

  • If these tips aren’t working for you, don’t feel defeated! 

  • Speak to your veterinarian about custom medications (eg: flavouring options, different dosage forms)

5. What not to do

  • Crush tablets or open capsules without consulting a veterinarian or pharmacist

  • Corner your pet - this can feel threatening to them

  • Skip doses - inconsistent dosing can make the medication/treatment less effective 

Let’s Work Together to Keep Your Pets Healthy 

Have questions or want to explore your options?
We’d love to chat about how we can support your pet’s health needs.

Reach out to our team today:
📧 Email: info@vetmeds.ca
☎️ Phone: (416)-423-6223

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