How to administer herbs to your pets
Any herbal formula that you use on humans is applicable for the pets as well. The adjustment of doses is the only thing that you need to do. If you have never done it before then administering some herbs can be a little taxing. The "natural pet products" which are available in the market can be easily used for humans as well as pets.
Complexity Level: Moderate
Tips
1. How to pill a cat
Make sure that you don't frighten them with your approach or behavior. They are not likely to swallow if you alarm them. If you fidget with the pill in your hand and cause suspicion in their minds, it can turn to be a nasty task. If you are confident about what you are doing then your cat will also be peaceful. Some cats can be pilled when they are at their favorite spot and you need to be a little more tactful with the others. Get them between your knees and pat them to make them oblige.
If you have a helper then ask the helper to hold the cat so that you have a better position to administer the pill. Take the pill in one hand between the thumb nad the middle finger. Then tilt the head of the cat with the other hand and hold the two sides of its mouth with your index finger and your thumb. If it still doesn't open its mouth then use your middle finger of the hand you have the pill in and pull the lower jaw of your cat down. Then put the pill as far as you can and leave your cat. As soon as she lowers her head, rub her throat gently and repeatedly.
Soon after your cat has swallowed the pill, give your cat something to eat which will help the pill to dissolve faster and start working. Some moist food or tuna broth can help you.
Capsules work well too. You can always make them wet to fascilitate its slipping down the cat's throat. It will also start to dissolve the gelatin cover and thus your cat won't need to do much except swallowing it.
2. How to pill a dog
Make the dog sit down and tilt his head. Hold his upper jaw behind his canines and lift his lips. Push down his lower jaw with your other hand. Put the pill at the back of his mouth and keep it closed for as long as you want to. Gently stroke the neck of you dog till he swallows the pill.
3. Put it in the food
Mixing the medicine in the food is a considerable option. You can crush the tablet and open the capsule and mix its contents with the food. Make sure that they are very hungry and always serve a meagre serving. You can give them more food after they are done with it. If your dog likes the flavor of peanut butter, then mix the herbs in that and offer it to him. Make a paste and stick it to the roof of his mouth.He is sure to love it if he likes peanut butter and the medicine will be swallowed without raising an objection.
4. Skin
The skin of your pet is the largest organ of their body and it absorbs almost anything. So, if you are facing great difficulty in feeding the herbs orally, then rub them againt the pads of the feet and it will be readily absorbed by the body.
5. Tea
You can also brew the herbs as a tea and feed your pet with the help of a dropper or a syringe.
Things to watch out for
1. While you are feeding your cat a pill, don't keep her head tilted back. This can make your cat vomit.
2. Make sure that you are extra cautious when you are feeding your pet a slippery capsule. It can always slip from your hand.
3. Before you administer herbs to your pets make sure you have assessed them on the grounds of ability, weight, age and extent of smptoms of deficiency.
