How to Give Medication to a Rabbit

Rabbits are very sensitive animals that get stressed easily. When your vet prescribed medications, he probably showed you ways to give the medication to the rabbit. However, sometimes what works in the vet's office does not work as well when you get home. Be sure to have the medication ready before picking up the rabbit, so you have both hands free while medicating.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Medication in Tablet Form

1. Offer the tablet to your bunny in the palm of your hand. Some rabbits take the pill easily this way, especially if the medication does not have a bad taste.

2. Hide the whole tablet inside a piece of your rabbit's favorite food. A good food to use for hiding a pill is banana or apple.

3. Grind up the tablet using the end of a knife or a small, clean hammer. Mix the ground pill into applesauce, banana, vanilla yogurt, or some vegetable or fruit flavored baby food. Put the food in a small dish and place it on the floor for your bunny to eat.

4. Dissolve the tablet in water or fruit juice and then administer it to the rabbit using a syringe. See the next section on giving liquid medications to your rabbit.

Medication in Liquid Form

5. Put the liquid medication in a small dish and offer it to the rabbit. Some liquid rabbit medications come in flavors that rabbits love and take without prompting.

6. Mix the medication into some of the rabbit's favorite food. Again, try using applesauce, banana, vanilla yogurt, or some vegetable or fruit-flavored baby food.

7. Put the liquid medication into a syringe to give it to the rabbit. Hold the rabbit securely in an upright position. Use your free hand to lift up the rabbit's lip. Place the syringe behind the rabbit's front teeth and slowly depress the syringe, releasing the medication into his mouth. Allow him to swallow at his own pace.

Tips & Warnings

• Pet your rabbit, talk to her and calm her down before giving her medication.
• Give your rabbit a treat after giving him the medication to create a positive association and end the experience on a positive note.
• If your rabbit fights you and tries to run away when you are giving her medication, try wrapping her in a towel before holding her.
• Never lay the rabbit on his back while giving his medication with a syringe. Always keep him sitting upright to avoid liquid getting into his lungs which can cause him to choke.