Veterinary compounding in Australia: Common challenges and how to improve pet medication compliance

Veterinary compounding plays a vital role in personalised animal healthcare across Australia. From dogs and cats to birds, reptiles, and horses, animals often need customised medications that aren't available in commercial products. However, compounding for pets brings a unique set of challenges, especially when it comes to flavouring, dosing, safety, and formulation stability.

What Is veterinary Compounding and why is it important to animal health?

Veterinary compounding involves preparing customised medications for animals when off-the-shelf options are unavailable, unsuitable, or difficult to administer. In Australia, compounding is especially important for: 

• Animals with specific dosing needs (based on weight, breed, or species) 

• Patients with allergies or sensitivities 

• Pets that refuse standard medication due to taste or texture 

• Veterinarians prescribing unregistered formulations under the Special Access Scheme 

What are the biggest challenges in veterinary compounding?

1. How do you get pets to take their medicine?

One of the most common questions in veterinary compounding is: “How can I get my dog or cat to take this medication?” Palatability is often the #1 barrier to success. 

Common flavouring challenges: 

• Pets reject medications due to bitterness or strong odour. 

• Cats are especially sensitive and often refuse sweet or synthetic flavours. 

• Exotic pets (like birds or reptiles) may have highly specific preferences or aversions. 

Popular flavour options: 

• Dogs: chicken, beef, liver, peanut butter 

• Cats: tuna, chicken, sardine, salmon 

• Horses: molasses, apple, peppermint 

• Birds: fruit (banana, apple, mango) 

2. What’s the best base or vehicle for veterinary medications?

Flavour alone isn’t enough. Choosing the right base is essential for effective delivery and stability. 

Common compounding bases include: 

• Oil-based suspensions – great for lipophilic APIs like CBD or prednisolone 

• Aqueous suspensions – useful for rapid administration via syringe 

• Chewable pastes and gels – ideal for dogs and horses 

• Oral films or troches – used for transmucosal absorption 

The choice depends on species, medication type, route of administration, and pet owner preference. 

3. Is it safe to use human flavouring agents in animal health compounds?

Not always. Some ingredients safe for humans can be toxic to pets, especially cats, birds, and rabbits. 

Avoid using: 

• Xylitol (toxic to dogs) 

• Essential oils (harmful to cats) 

• Certain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or colouring agents 

Australian compounders must refer to species-specific safety data and consult veterinary guidelines when choosing flavours and excipients. 

4. What compounding forms improve compliance in pets?

The best medication is the one a pet will actually take. Some dosage forms work better than others for different species. 

Formulation tips: 

• Dogs: Flavoured chews, pastes, or suspensions 

• Cats: Transdermal creams (for ears), oral suspensions, or mini-troches 

• Birds & reptiles: Sweetened liquids or medicated water 

• Horses: Flavoured powders or gels added to feed 

Pet-friendly forms lead to better compliance and improved outcomes. 

What other challenges do Australian veterinary compounders face?

• Regulatory oversight: Australian compounders must follow strict guidelines from the TGA and APVMA, especially when compounding under a veterinary prescription. 

• Species-specific dosing: Accurate dose calculation is critical; even small errors can lead to toxicity in small animals. 

• Static-prone powders: Hormonal and steroidal drugs can be difficult to mix evenly, increasing the risk of dosing errors. 

• Time-consuming workflows: Manually mixing powders and liquids often takes too long and leads to product loss or inconsistency. 

How can technology help improve veterinary compounding in Australia?

Advanced compounding technologies now offer safer, more efficient alternatives to traditional methods like mortars, pestles, unguators, and ointment mills. 

One such solution is the MAZ® mixer, a closed-system mixing device designed to: 

• Create homogenous suspensions, creams, and capsules 

• Flavour and emulsify medications in seconds 

• Reduce static and improve powder blending 

• Minimise exposure to hazardous ingredients 

• Support USP 800-style safety and hygiene protocols 

With features like built-in deaeration, rapid particle size reduction, and compatibility with dosing systems like MD Pump and UnoDose, the MAZ helps Australian compounders produce smoother, more palatable veterinary medications in less time and with greater precision. 

Tools like the MAZ® mixer are helping compounders across the country streamline their workflows, improve product consistency, and deliver better outcomes for Australia’s animal patients. 

Want to learn more about veterinary compounding technology? 

Explore the MAZ mixer ecosystem, including adapters, validated formulas, and time-saving features designed for veterinary pharmacy practice. 

👉 Book your free demo today.