PETA expert gives tips.
This also works with sensitive animals.
Stuttgart. Medical protection instead of frustration on both sides: More and more diseases can be treated with medication – not only in people, but also in animals. But in order for tablets etc. to help at all, they must be administered correctly. The attempt to give a tablet to a lively dog or shy cat often ends in hassle and displeasure. In the worst case, such a situation can permanently damage the bond between humans and animals. PETA specialist for animal companions Jana Hoger explains the correct procedure so that medication can be administered accurately and stress-free.
“Anyone who has to give medication to their animal roommate should do so carefully; careful handling is always the top priority,” says Jana Hoger. “An animal should never be so stressed when receiving medication that it loses trust in humans. Fortunately, stress-free medication administration can usually be learned through good training.”
Medicines can save lives
Many medications such as heart or water tablets are essential for the survival of sick animals and must be administered regularly and correctly. What is particularly important is that the medicine is absorbed completely and not partially spat out or even swallowed into the trachea. But other long-term medications such as painkillers or nutritional supplements should also end up accurately in the animals' throats to have the best possible effect.
The right preparation
Basically, before adopting an animal, people need to be aware that four-legged friends can also get sick – sometimes chronically. Dogs, cats or small animals with heart disease, for example, rely on their owners to give them one or more tablets every day. For example, some animals develop diabetes and have to have their blood sugar levels checked and insulin injected several times a day.
Even with healthy animals, it is advisable to carefully train them to hold on. The four-legged friends can learn from the outset that nothing bad will happen if they stay still for a short time. This not only makes it easier to administer medication, but also visits to the veterinary practice and personal care such as trimming claws or cleaning eyes.
Veterinarians usually provide instructions on how to administer prescribed medications. If you are unsure, you can practice the process under the guidance of a veterinary specialist.
Some cats in particular, but also some dogs or rabbits, defend themselves violently when they are held and can injure themselves and others. Fortunately, these extreme cases are very rare and can also be trained to successfully administer medication in collaboration with an animal psychologist. If you already know that your animal is sensitive to tablets, you can ask the veterinary practice for another dosage form such as drops.
Driven
The administration of medication can mean enormous stress for humans and animals. Many four-legged friends are driven into corners or held forcibly. If people approach things without caution and patience, this can permanently worsen the relationship. The animals feel forced and lose trust in their people.
In brachycephalic breeds, such as the pug, there is even a danger to life if the medication is given too stressfully, as the short-nosed animals can suffocate in moments of panic. There is also a risk of suffocation if the tablet accidentally gets into the trachea. Therefore, special care must be taken with all animals in order to administer the medicine correctly.
In addition, owners should always keep an eye on the correct dosage despite rapid movements. With some medications such as insulin, even small deviations can cause significant complications.
The right approach
In cats: The best way to treat cats is to gently wrap them in a towel. To do this, the person slowly approaches the animal in a calm, gentle voice and carefully wraps the towel. It is important that the cat's head looks out of the towel cavity, otherwise it may panic. If the animal initially reacts fearfully, the process should be stopped and repeated until the cat can be wrapped. Pet owners may be able to positively reinforce the process by using vegan treats. It is also advisable to work in pairs so that one person can restrain the cat and the other person can administer the medication. To do this, the cat's neck should be stretched slightly and the tablet thrown down the throat. It then makes sense to carefully cover the animal's mouth and stroke its neck. The latter triggers the swallowing reflex in many animals.
For dogs: Fortunately, most dogs can be easily trained using positive reinforcement: If the animal resists taking pills, it is never punished, but is praised extensively when it is (partially) successful – i.e. positively reinforced. For example, tablets can be wrapped and given in vegan treats. However, some dogs notice when humans “have plans for them.” Pet owners can avoid the premonition of these four-legged friends by, for example, handing out several treats when they go for a walk, only one of which is filled with the medicine. If tablets can or should only be administered straight, the dog can also be held in place using a towel or the owner's arms and legs. The rest of the procedure is the same as for cats: insert the tablet deep into the throat, then carefully keep the mouth closed and gently stroke the neck.
For small animals: For rabbits, guinea pigs, etc., medications are often available in soluble form, which can then be administered into the animal's mouth via a syringe. Beforehand, the animals should be carefully wrapped in a towel, similar to cats. This not only offers protection against bites, scratches and pressing too hard, but also gives the animal security.
Administering injections: Many people shy away from injections, but these can also be essential for the health of their animal companion. Most medications are injected under the skin in the flank region. In any case, the veterinary specialist must explain and demonstrate the process in advance.
Additional tips
- Write down medication times, prepare medication box: As with people, it's worth input times (morning/lunch/evening) Write it down or prepare a medication box to keep track.
- Don't just share tablets: Broken parts may attack the lining of the esophagus or stomach and cause painful reactions.
- Please note the instructions for administering medication on the package insert: In animals, too, some medications have to be administered on an empty stomach, while others can only be absorbed with some food in the stomach. Tablets given incorrectly can irritate the stomach or become less effective.
- Use tablet dispenser: Animal pill dispensers available from specialist retailers can help protect your own hands. However, most animals find them threatening. For many people, pill dispensers are also cumbersome.
- Always use eye ointment tubes/ear drops only for the eye or ear to be treated: Otherwise, the infection could spread to the other ear or eye.
- Discard opened eye and ear drops after treatment: These can also be contaminated with germs and transmit infections to healthy animals.
- Note expiry date: Every medication has an expiry date. If the medicine has expired, a reduced effect is possible – this can have a negative impact on your health or the success of the treatment.
PETA wishes all animal owners good luck with the implementation!