5 Tips On Getting Pills Into Your Dog

  Posted on September 2, 2012  by Joy of Living  No comments

We’ve all had to deal with giving medication to our dogs at some point.  If we’re lucky, our dog will take the pill with no problem.  Unfortunately, that seems to be the exception rather than the rule.  Here are some tips to make the process easier:

• Check with your vet to see if there is a different version of the medication available.  More meds are becoming available in transdermal gel form or a flavored liquid that dogs like.  These other forms often cost more, but can be a lifesaver if you have a very med resistant dog.
• Change the food you put the pill in often.  Many times dogs will swallow the pill when it’s combined with a favorite treat like peanut butter or cheese.  They may figure out that the pill is in the treat and eat around it.
• Make pill taking a game.  If your dog has puzzle toys, try hiding the pill in compartments with the treats, but check to be sure the pill is swallowed along with the treats.
• Manually administer the pill by opening your dog’s mouth.  Press on either side of the mouth where jaws meet so your dog’s mouth will open.  Put the pill as far back as possible in his mouth, then gently close his mouth and rub his chin,  then blow on his nose.  The blowing will prompt a swallowing action and the pill will go down.  Follow the pill swallow with a favorite treat so he will equate taking his pill with getting something yummy.
• As a last resort, if you’ve not had success administering the medication, find a friend, neighbor or vet tech that can administer it.