How to Give Your Dog Eye Drops: 14 Steps
Eye drops can play a crucial role in maintaining your dog’s eye health and treating various infections or irritations. However, administering eye drops to your furry friend can be a challenging task. If you’re finding it hard to give your dog eye drops, these 14 steps will help make the process go smoothly:
1.Read the medication instructions: Before starting, carefully read the label and follow any specific instructions provided by your vet.
2.Wash your hands: Cleanliness is essential; prevent spreading germs by washing your hands with soap and water before handling your dog or their medication.
3.Prepare the medication: Shake the bottle gently, then remove and discard the cap. Be careful not to touch the dropper tip with anything to avoid contamination.
4.Get your dog comfortable: Find a calm and quiet area where you can apply the eye drops without distractions. Use treats, praise, or physical affection to help put your dog at ease.
5.Seek assistance if needed: If possible, ask someone to help hold your dog during the procedure, especially if they are large or uncooperative.
6.Secure your dog’s head gently: Hold your dog’s head steadily using one hand placed under their chin and another on top of their head. Make sure not to squeeze or apply too much pressure.
7.Gently pull down the lower eyelid: With one hand firmly holding their head, use the other hand’s thumb to pull down their lower eyelid, creating a small pocket for the eye drops.
8.Keep a steady grip on the medication bottle: Hold the bottle at a slight angle, parallel to your dog’s face and pointing towards their eye.
9.Do not touch their eyeball: Be cautious that neither your hand nor the dropper tip comes into contact with your dog’s eye in order to prevent damage.
10.Administer the drops: Squeeze the bottle gently, allowing one drop to fall into the pocket you created in the lower eyelid.
11.Let your dog blink: After applying the drop, release your dog’s head and allow them to blink, helping to spread the medication evenly across their eye.
12.Praise your pup: Offer verbal praise, gentle pats, or a treat after administering the drops to make it a positive experience for both of you.
13.Clean up: Wipe away any excess medication or discharge with a clean tissue or damp cloth, being careful not to rub the eye area.
14.Store medication correctly: Keep eye drops in a safe place, away from heat and light as recommended by your vet.
By following these steps, administering eye drops doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With patience and practice, you will have your dog feeling better in no time. Remember always to consult your veterinarian if you have any concerns about your dog’s eye health or have difficulty giving them eye drops.