What is the process of administering large amounts of liquid to an animal called?

The process of administering large amounts of liquid to an animal is called drenching. This method is typically used in veterinary practices and on farms to deliver medications, nutrients, or other solutions directly into an animal's gastrointestinal tract. Drenching is particularly effective for treating diseases or conditions where the animal may not be able to drink enough fluids on its own or for ensuring proper dosage of medications that must be delivered in specific volumes.

This technique allows for precise control over the amount of liquid administered and can be essential in managing the health of livestock, especially in cases of dehydration or when hoping to ensure that all animals in a group receive the necessary treatment. It’s a hands-on procedure, often employing a specialized drenching gun or tube to ensure that the liquid reaches the stomach rather than the lungs.

In contrast, feeding generally refers to providing solid or standard liquid food to animals, while hydrating implies providing fluids to maintain or restore hydration, which can encompass both drinking and drenching methods. Injecting involves delivering substances into the body via a syringe, typically used for vaccines or medications, but it doesn’t involve large volumes of liquid in the way that drenching does.