If you have a finicky pet that needs medication and refuses to take it willingly, there is some help available. Physicians and pharmacists realized long ago that adding certain flavors to medicine could greatly increase a child's willingness to take the medication. This was a great help for parents who for years have had to fight, plead and cajole to give their children much-needed medication.

Finally, veterinarians and pharmacists have realized that what works in children also works for pets. A number of specialty pharmacies throughout the country have come up with a variety of flavors that, when added to medication, can make pets more willing to take their medicine.

Some of the flavors available for cats include chicken, sardine, tuna or seafood. For dogs, beef and chicken are available. There are even fruit-flavored ones such as apple and cherry for rabbits and rodents.

If you are interested in obtaining flavored medications for your pet, ask your veterinarian about getting medicine from a compounding pharmacy. Some veterinarians have even established relationships with certain pharmacies and can special order certain flavors.