A pet is a domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement. The most popular pets are noted for their loyal or playful characteristics, for their attractive appearance, or for their song. Pets also generally seem to provide their owners with non-trivial health benefits; keeping pets has been shown to help relieve stress to those who like having animals around.

There is even a medically-approved class of "therapy animals," mostly dogs brought to visit confined humans. Walking a dog can provide both the owner and the dog with exercise, fresh air, and social interaction. However, people in over 100 million households have pets and they know the definition goes even deeper. It is not unusual for us to hear that a person’s pet is “just like their child.”

We love our pets and they love us back. That kind of relationship is special and important. It deserves protection. When any member of our family is sick and needs medicine, we do our best to get it. The same responsibility exists between an owner and his or her pet.

Sometimes it is difficult for a human to take their medicine. It might taste bad, be hard to swallow, or be commercially unavailable in the right dose. People can accommodate – usually by just “grinning and taking it as directed”. Such is not always the case when it comes to medicating our pets. Because they can’t know the terrible tasting medicine is good for them, they can’t chose to take it because they have to.

When it’s in a pet’s best interest to take a medicine it is up to the owner to administer the medicine without harming either the pet or their relationship together.

A compounding pharmacist can help by making orders that taste good to the pet. How about liver, beef, roasted lamb, pizza, tuna, peanut butter, or beer? These are just a few of the most popular.

Some medicines can be made with a special cream base that helps move the medicine through the skin and into the pet’s bloodstream. Just apply a measured amount to the inner part of the ear and the medication is on its way.

When the commercially available doses are too high or too low, your compounder can make special sizes that are perfect for your pet’s needs.