Every loving pet owner’s worst nightmare is having their dog or cat get sick. Pets, of course, are like members of the family, but illnesses can be frustrating even tougher to bear since they can’t communicate exactly what’s wrong. Furthermore, it’s difficult to make a special dog or cat understand that the awful tasting substance you’re trying to force down their throats will help them.

As with humans, there are hundreds of different diseases that can afflict your pet and as many varieties of medicines designed to treat them. And the type of treatment you must apply can affect your strategies for approaching the task. If you’ve been having a tough time getting your sick pooch or cat to take his meds, these techniques and tricks may help you get the job done with as little fuss as possible.

Liquid Medications

In general, dogs and cats may be prescribed either pills or liquid medicines, with the latter tending to be a bit more straightforward as far as application goes. Sometimes liquid medicines can be mixed with foods to hide bitter or otherwise unpleasant tastes. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for any helpful suggestions.

In most cases, however, liquid medications must be applied directly. Specialized syringes are often a great tool both for measuring medicines and getting your pet to take it. Technique also varies a bit between dogs and cats.

Since cats’ temperaments and personalities often stretch from one extreme to the other, owners may be the best judges concerning method. In most cases, try to be sure your cat is as calm as possible before offering medicine. Holding the cat in your lap firmly but calmly, offer a favorite snack and quickly insert the syringe and depress the plunger, using a finger to keep the mouth open if necessary.

Dogs will also be more likely to accept medicine while enjoying a snack as well, but offer the treat as a reward afterward. Get your pup into a position where she can’t back away and gently insert the syringe into a back corner of the mouth. Gently blowing on the nose can help stimulate swallowing.

Pills and Camouflaging

Of course, one of the simplest and quickest ways to get fussy pets to take their meds is by mixing it in with a bit of food. It’s generally a better idea to opt for a special treat when using the method, since your pets will be quite familiar with their usual food and could easily detect something amiss.

Dog owners with pets who tend to wolf down snacks in a single gulp may have the easiest task, as long as pills can be slipped inside the treat. However, the fussiest and cleverest of cats and dogs are often experts at eating around even the tiniest of hidden pills. Crushing pills up sometimes works well for mixing into mushy foods, but you run the risk of getting your pooch or kitty to eat only part of his meds.

Although your pet will respond differently to various kinds of treats, there are a few tried and true flavors that can help you cover up bitter tastes. One classic way to camouflage pills involves pushing them into a small hot dog or sausage chunk. Chances are, your happy pup will gobble the piece down too quickly to notice anything strange about it.

Others swear by hiding pills crushed or whole in a bit of cold peanut butter, which will hold its shape better than room temperature peanut butter. Ultimately, finding the right combination of treat and technique may take a bit of time, patience and trial and error, but a healthy pet is a more than worthy reward for your vigilance.

General Suggestions

Chances are that medicine taking will become a routine procedure for your pet, at least until her condition improves. From the outset, try to associate success with a treat offering scenario and be certain to reward her for taking her medication with both a treat and praise. Offer treatments in a calm environment and make sure she is relaxed and happy before making any attempts.

Some pet owners claim that a well trained animal can be convinced to gobble down pills and liquid medicines alike simply by being well disciplined. It’s often true that pets want to please their owners (although this is quite questionable for cats), and motions or commands similar to those used for other successful tricks can be useful when it’s medicine time.

Patience and vigilance are two of the most important qualities pet owners must master when their nonhuman pals are sick and in need of medication. Keep in mind the goal of a happier, healthier dog or cat as you search for a method that seems to work every time. With a bit of time and understanding your best friend will be taking medication like a pro and feeling better in no time.