Putting Eye Drops in Your Pets Eye
Just like you would get eye drops at your eye doctor, we also give eye drops to treat many conditions. Pets may feel reluctant to have eye drops instilled, at first, but here are a few tips to make giving eye drops a happy and easy experience!
- Approach your pet from behind with the eye drops instead of in front of them. Most pets’ natural reaction is to back away from the drops. Standing behind dogs while they sit or placing small cats and dogs on your lap facing away from you will help prevent them from backing away.
- Lift the chin of your pet up into the air while putting in the drops. Hold the dropper bottle above them while bracing your hand on their forehead. This will give you stability and control and allow you to put drops in both eyes at home time, if both eyes need treatment.
- Place the drop in the upper eye on the white or pink part of the eye. This area is less sensitive than the clear part of the eye and your pet is less likely to react to this. Bracing your hand on the head and holding the forehead skin will expose the top part of the eye to allow you to place a drop.
- Lots of rewards! It is very important to make eye drops a positive experience. Do this by immediately giving a small highly-motivating treat (e.g. peanut butter, cheese, small bits of hot dog) right after any eye drop. Because you may have a few eye drops to give, set aside a few small treats to give after each drop. It’s important to give the treats right away along with lots of verbal praise. For kitties, you may reward them by petting or stroking them, giving them treats as well or feeding them tuna or canned cat food after eye drops. Always check with your veterinarian before giving treats to make sure they have been approved for your pet.
