21 Spring 2026 | Animal Health Solutions
7 Ways to Boost Pet
Parent Compliance with
Compounded Medications
Compounding
Compliance
BY CATHERINE BARNETTE, DVM
M
edication administration can be a significant
hurdle in veterinary medicine — especially when
pet parents are tasked to do it. In a 2018 survey,
39% of pet owners reported that administering medication
was difficult or extremely difficult, with pet refusal being the
primary barrier.
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Such challenges do more than frustrate clients. Additional
repercussions include extra stress for pets and disruption
of the human-animal bond, both of which can result in
subtherapeutic dosing.
Fortunately, compounded medications can simplify
medication administration. These tailored formulations only
work if you can empower pet parents to comply with your
therapeutic plan.
Common obstacles to compounded
pet medications
While veterinary professionals understand the value of
compounded medications, clients often enter the exam room
burdened with misconceptions or specific barriers that lead
them to decline these options.
The first step to overcoming these obstacles is understanding
the reasoning behind them so you can ensure better care for
your patients.
Here are three common reasons pet
parents resist compounded medications:
Financial concern: The cost of any medication can be a
concern for pet parents. Some may assume compounded
medications are more expensive due to their customized
nature, while others may have general budget constraints
that affect their ability to follow through on any therapeutic
plan. While prescribing decisions should always be based
on clinical need, understanding a client's financial concerns
