Giving Your Dog a Pill

We told you about our dog Tiki’s surgery last week to remove a busted nail; as with many surgeries, this one is being followed by a round of antibiotics. Tiki is taking pills…and not really taking them on a voluntary basis.

How can you make pill giving easier at your house? Try these techniques:

Hiding the Pill in Food. What’s your dog’s favorite, favorite food? Pieces of slightly warmed hot dogs? Lunchmeat? Liver? Try tucking the pill inside some food and presenting it as a treat. (Warning: after a time or two, your dog may get wise to this method. You may need to switch foods or switch to method two.) An alternative to wrapping the pill in food is to dip it in peanut butter, cream cheese, etc. Also, pet supply stores carry pre-made pill packets, basically a treat with a space for a pill!

Popping the Pill in Your Dog’s Mouth. This method isn’t as tough as it sounds and, for foul tasting pills, can be quick and easy for your dog. Take the pill and hold it between your first finger and your thumb then pry open your dog’s mouth. Now you need to get the pill as far back into the dog’s throat as you comfortably can then gently hold your dog’s jaws closed. Talk in a calm voice then gently blow on your dog’s nose to encourage swallowing. Slightly tilting your dog’s head back and gently stroking his throat to encourage swallowing may work, too.

Whichever method works, have a good treat and plenty of praise ready as soon as the pill is swallowed!

About Paris Permenter and John Bigley

DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.

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