How to Medicate Your Rabbit

Administering medication to a rabbit can be difficult. Rabbits usually don't enjoy being restrained and don't take medication willingly. Medications should be given quickly and safely to reduce stress and anxiety.

Liquid Medication

• Draw up the prescribed amount of medication in a syringe or eyedropper. First try to see if the rabbit willingly takes the liquid medication from the eye dropper. If not, proceed with the next steps.
• Hold the head and neck of the rabbit with one hand.
• Use the other hand to inset the tip of the syringe or eyedropper just behind the front teeth.
• The rabbit will usually open his/her mouth trying to remove the syringe.
• While the rabbit is chewing at the syringe or eyedropper, slowly administer the medication.

Tablet Medication

• Tablets are very difficult to give to rabbits. Consider obtaining a pill crusher at a local pharmacy.
• Crush the medication using a pill crusher or other method.
• Once the medication is in powder form, mix the medicine with a small amount of flavored Sustacal or Ensure.
• About 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) of flavored diet supplement should be enough.
• After mixing the powdered medication with the supplement, follow the instructions for administering liquid form medication.