It is a well-known fact that both dogs and kids hate to take their medicine. Since dogs cannot grab a cup of water to swallow a pill, you have to a bit more resourceful. Medication is a necessary evil, and you will have to figure out some way to make it work whether you put it in their dinner, treats, or water.
Here Are Some Solutions to Help Your Dog Take Oral Medications
Use Food
Food is your friend when it comes to coaxing dogs into taking their medication. You can put a pill or even liquid medication in the dog’s food or water. The best time to give a pill is when the dog is hungry for a meal. As long as the veterinarian says that it is okay to eat with the medication, then by all means use it as a tool. Dogs love food, so you can crush the pill and put it in their dog food, snacks, or even use peanut butter or cream cheese. Some dogs will eat the food, but avoid taking the pill, so you may need to figure out some other options if it fails.
Use a Pill Dropper
A pill dropper is a small device that looks similar to a syringe, the only difference being that it drops a pill into the dog’s mouth. They can be very effective for pills and capsules that cannot be placed into the dog’s food. Be careful about how you use the pill dropper because it can cause the dog to gag if you are not careful. Tilt the dog’s head back and gently guide the dropper into the mouth, drop the pill, and then massage the neck to help the pill go down.
Use Your Hands
You can use your hands instead of a pill dropper. All you have to do is have the dog sit upright, tilt the head back, open the mouth, and then drop the pill. Massage the throat and neck area to help the dog swallow the pill. Once again, be very careful as you do this to prevent choking.
Always follow your veterinarian’s instructions regarding how and when the medication is to be administered. Check that the dog has actually ingested the medication to ensure that the treatments will be effective. Ensure that the dog is safe at all times and consult with your veterinarian for advice.
Do you have your own trick to get your dogs to take their medicine? Tell us how you do it in the comments.
