A Guide To Administering Eye Drops For Your Pet Dog Or Cat

Applying pet eye drops to your dog or cat can be a stressful experience. Our pets may find the whole affair uncomfortable and start to squirm and move. As owners, we’re always worried about accidentally hurting our fur kids as they move around in our hands.

There are no real tricks or shortcuts to help your pet become more willing to accept eye drops. But a little preparation, the right techniques, and a whole lot of positive reinforcement, can go a long way in improving things.

Preparation

Before even getting started on inserting the pet eye drops into your pet’s eye, you would want to ensure that the product you have on hand is appropriate. Afterall, the eyes are sensitive and complex. Should you be dealing with cataracts, our Jean-Paul Nutraceuticals ColloRX Lanosterol Eye Drops are the go-to choice. Lanosterol is currently the only available eye drop that has a genuine therapeutic effect on cataracts. The addition of collagen in this product also empowers greater lubrication, moisturisation and healing of the eyes.

Next, prepare your pet for the process. Pets with infections may have discharge leaking from their eyelids, so make sure to wipe them off with a clean cloth or a wet warm cotton wool pad before you begin. Eyes can be prone to infections, so ensure your hands are properly washed with soap.

Dogs and cats are sensitive creatures, so try and keep calm but firm for the whole process. The more uneasy you are, the more your pets will react negatively to you trying to administer pet eye drops.

Restraining your pet

Whether it’s eye drops for dogs or cats, having a friend or family member to help you restrain your pet is ideal. Having someone else hold your pet still, allows you to focus solely on the administration of the eye drops. Make sure to be gentle and keep your dog or cat calm and comfortable throughout the procedure.

If you are alone, the best way to proceed is by having your pet between your knees and restraining them gently with their back facing you. Dogs and cats might get aggressive if you come towards their eyes from the front, so it’s better to administer the eye drops from the behind.

Another method is to use your right arm to gently restrain and prevent your pet from standing up and resisting. Then, using your left hand to control its head, administer your pet’s eye drops with your right hand. If you are left-handed, simply reverse these instructions. 

Proper gentle restraint should not hurt your pet and the aim is to administer the eye drops quickly and efficiently.

Positive Reinforcement

Having medication dropped into our eyes is not a pleasant experience for humans or animals. For pet owners it’s important to make the process as painless and comfortable as possible. For pets which are uncooperative, positive reinforcement via treats, praise, and plenty of love after, can help make the experience better for all involved.

Treats should be rewarded after the pet eye drops have been given so your pet has something to look forward to when you’re done. This can help reduce aggressive behaviour or issues with restraining your pet. Praising your pet before, during, and after you administer the eye drops can also calm your pet and encourage it to be more cooperative for future sessions.

Applying eye drops for cats and dogs is a matter of striking a balance. You have to be gentle but firm. Patient but quick. With experience, the procedure will become easier and less stressful to undergo. Your techniques will also get more refined as you understand your pet better and your canine or feline friend gets more used to the procedure.

Are cataracts and dry eyes stopping your pet from living their best life? Combat early signs of cataract and dry eyes by purchasing our uniquely formulated eye drops and nutraceuticals today!