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Why do it?
The reason to use veterinary prescribed behavior medication is to
intentionally affect the animal's brain chemistry during behavior
modification.
In some cases, there
is a genetic or metabolic reason to continue this medication for life,
although this is the exception.
Once the new habit
patterns are in place (as a result of behavior modification training),
then the medication is tapered and hopefully stopped.
In most cases, the primary goal is to SPEED UP the
animals learning by reducing its anxiety, so it can learn
without this distraction.
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What to do
Unless otherwise instructed,
give behavior medications in the
morning. If the instructions are
to give the medication twice
daily, try for approximately 12
hours apart. If it indicates 3x
per day, try for approximately 8
hours between doses. If this is
impossible, just try to get as
close as you can to this goal.
In most cases it is best to give
the medication in a small amount
of special food, before the
regular meal. If the medicine is
mixed into the regular food, it
is difficult to be sure it was
consumed. Here is another way to
go:
The goal is for the pet to gulp Treat 2 in a hurry to
get Treat 3 - the chaser. Praise the pet for taking
the medicine.
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How to do
it
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Start with a hungry cat
that's looking for attention
and tasty food treats.
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Give your cat a treat for
free.
Some pets will "check it
out" carefully for the
"slip" of a pill inside.
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Let the pet SEE the 3rd
treat which is the biggest
and the best - the temptor
treat.
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Give the
SECOND which contains the
medication in it placing the
THIRD immediately right in
front of the pet's mouth.
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