How to Give Your Dog a Pill
Occasionally it might be necessary for your dog to take antibiotics or other types of medication.
Unfortunately, unlike we humans, a dog won't open wide and swallow a pill with a glass of water.
Even if it is for his own good.
Here are some tips that will make administering medication to your four-legged patient a little easier and a little less traumatic for both of you.
1.
The most important tip of all - Check with your vet to be sure the medicine can be given with food.
2.
Approach this task with a calm and positive attitude.
Don't get you or your dog uptight.
Just be yourself and don't let on that you're about to do something different than the normal routine.
3.
If you've checked to be sure its okay to disguise the medicine in a treat, wrap the pill in a small piece of cheese or on a bite sized piece of bread smeared with peanut butter.
Be sure to give your dog a couple of treats before and after you give him the one that contains the medicine.
If he's looking forward to the next treat coming his way, he'll pay less attention to the one he has in his mouth.
Dogs are greedy and are food motivated.
Its okay for them to be that way, they're dogs.
4.
If the pill can be dissolved or crushed, mix it in his food bowl with his normal food, BUT be sure to feed him a little less than usual so he will eat every drop and of course, the food will need to be moist, not dry.
You can give him more food when he's done, but again, make sure he eats the entire meal that contained the medicine before feeding him a second helping.
5.
Be careful not to overly feed your pet when administering medication.
You don't want him to gag or throw up the contents of his stomach before the pill has gotten into his system.
Check with your vet if this happens.
You may need to skip that dose and wait until the next regular dosing time to try again.
6.
If you cannot feed the pill to your pet with food and you cannot crush it due to it being time released.
You must place it in his mouth and make him swallow it.
Please, have your vet show you how to gently but firmly hold his head still.
Don't make a big deal out of it.
Scaring your pet will only make future doses worse for both of you.
Sharp fingernails could cut your dog's nose, tongue or throat so be careful, and again, be gentle.
7.
Purchase pill pockets.
Pill pockets are treats that come in various shapes and sizes.
The treats have a hole in the middle in which to place a pill.
They're normally organic and contain healthy ingredients that promote good digestive health without contributing to weight gain.
8.
If all else fails, don't panic.
Don't upset your dog and don't blame him, or yourself.
Call your vet and request that someone in the office teach you how to administer the pill then simply return to the office and bring the medication with you.
The veterinarian staff is there for you and will understand the difficulty you're experiencing.
Dogs, just like kids, don't enjoy the taste of medicine.
Give yourself a break and remember that with a patience and practice, each dose will get easier and eventually, you'll be a pro!
Unfortunately, unlike we humans, a dog won't open wide and swallow a pill with a glass of water.
Even if it is for his own good.
Here are some tips that will make administering medication to your four-legged patient a little easier and a little less traumatic for both of you.
1.
The most important tip of all - Check with your vet to be sure the medicine can be given with food.
2.
Approach this task with a calm and positive attitude.
Don't get you or your dog uptight.
Just be yourself and don't let on that you're about to do something different than the normal routine.
3.
If you've checked to be sure its okay to disguise the medicine in a treat, wrap the pill in a small piece of cheese or on a bite sized piece of bread smeared with peanut butter.
Be sure to give your dog a couple of treats before and after you give him the one that contains the medicine.
If he's looking forward to the next treat coming his way, he'll pay less attention to the one he has in his mouth.
Dogs are greedy and are food motivated.
Its okay for them to be that way, they're dogs.
4.
If the pill can be dissolved or crushed, mix it in his food bowl with his normal food, BUT be sure to feed him a little less than usual so he will eat every drop and of course, the food will need to be moist, not dry.
You can give him more food when he's done, but again, make sure he eats the entire meal that contained the medicine before feeding him a second helping.
5.
Be careful not to overly feed your pet when administering medication.
You don't want him to gag or throw up the contents of his stomach before the pill has gotten into his system.
Check with your vet if this happens.
You may need to skip that dose and wait until the next regular dosing time to try again.
6.
If you cannot feed the pill to your pet with food and you cannot crush it due to it being time released.
You must place it in his mouth and make him swallow it.
Please, have your vet show you how to gently but firmly hold his head still.
Don't make a big deal out of it.
Scaring your pet will only make future doses worse for both of you.
Sharp fingernails could cut your dog's nose, tongue or throat so be careful, and again, be gentle.
7.
Purchase pill pockets.
Pill pockets are treats that come in various shapes and sizes.
The treats have a hole in the middle in which to place a pill.
They're normally organic and contain healthy ingredients that promote good digestive health without contributing to weight gain.
8.
If all else fails, don't panic.
Don't upset your dog and don't blame him, or yourself.
Call your vet and request that someone in the office teach you how to administer the pill then simply return to the office and bring the medication with you.
The veterinarian staff is there for you and will understand the difficulty you're experiencing.
Dogs, just like kids, don't enjoy the taste of medicine.
Give yourself a break and remember that with a patience and practice, each dose will get easier and eventually, you'll be a pro!
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