Administering Eye Medications to Your Pet

Collect all the eye medications that you will be administering to your pet.

If using multiple medications, it is very important that you replace the top that goes with the original container once you are finished. While using the medication, either:

  1. Leave the tops in a place where you won't confuse them with one another, or
  2. Preferably open and use each medication, and then immediately replace the container top. 

The second option might work best if you have a helper available.

Call your pet and calmly bring it to the area where you plan to give the drops. Relax! If you are anxious or nervous, your pet will be, too. 
 
Firmly grasp the pet under the chin and lift its chin and eyes towards the ceiling. Position your other hand over the pet’s head bringing the dropper bottle or ointment tube just above the eyes. 
 
Take extra care to NOT touch the eye itself with the tip of the tube or the dropper. 
 

If you are giving eye DROPS:

  1. Pull down slightly on the lower eyelid.
  2. Squeeze the eye drop(s) into the inner corner of eye.
  3. Continue to hold the head back for a moment of two while the drops disperse over the whole eye surface.

If you are giving eye OINTMENT:

  1. Be sure that the tip of the tube is pointed away from your pet's eye so that if they jerk, the tube tip will not injure the eye.
  2. Pull the lower eyelid down slightly.
  3. Squeeze a thin strip of the ointment along the inner side of the lower eyelid.
  4. Have your pet blink and gently hold its eyelid shut; gently massage the closed eyelid to help disperse the ointment.
  5. Your pet's vision will be blurry for a few minutes while the ointment melts. Watch your pet to make sure that it does not bump into things while it's vision is blurred.