Giving medications to our furry friends is indeed a challenging task â particularly for many pet owners. It can be just a routine prescription or a complete but temporary treatment regimen. However, knowing how to give a dog a pill in the most effective manner is a skill every pet owner must have. This guide will discuss various techniques, tips, and strategies to help you do this as smoothly and as easily as you can so the experience is not messy for both you and your canine companion.
Preparing for Pill Administration
How do you prepare for pill administration? Before you even do anything or before giving your dog their medication, proper preparation is important.
Gather the necessary supplies. The supplies include the prescribed or the given dog medication, treats or food where you can hide the pills, or any tool that you need in the process, including a pill dispenser.
Create a calm and relaxing ambiance for you and your dog. It helps minimize the stress for your pet and will not give undue stimulus that will distract you or the dog.
Time the medication during your dogâs regular feeding schedule unless the vet instructed you otherwise. Doing so will help in making the process a lot easier.
Techniques for Giving Dogs Pills
There are several ways for you to know how to give a dog a pill in the same way that there are various techniques to give the dog medicine to your pet. However, the best approach will depend on the dogâs temperament as well as the type of medication you are giving. The following are common techniques you can use:
Pill Hiding
Among the popular ways that you can give dogs their pill is to hide it in the food that theyâre eatingâit can be their regular food or favorite tasty treat. You can also use pill pockets for dogs, which are especially formulated treats with a built-in pouch where you can hide the pills in them. These dog pill pockets come in different flavors, which can be perfect for dogs who are known to be picky eaters.
If you donât have these pill pockets, you can also use soft foods such as cheese, the xylitol-free peanut butter (check the ingredients as xylitol is toxic to pets), or just small pieces of meatâenough to disguise the pill.
Pill Device
Another way is to use a pill device, otherwise known as a pill dispenser, or a âpill popper,â which is a useful tool to give dogs their medicines. It is particularly useful for dogs that are very difficult to treat or for owners who find it hard to do manual administration. This device will help you place the pill at the back of your dogâs throat without putting your fingers inside the dogâs mouth. This reduces the risk of accidental bites or other types of injuryâthus making the process a lot more efficient and quicker.
Manual Pill Administration
There are dogs, however, that require manual pill administration. The technique involves manually opening the dogâs mouth, putting the pill at the back of their tongue, and closing their mouth while gently caressing their throat to encourage them to swallow. You should be careful of not releasing the dogâs closed mouth before making sure that the dog has swallowed the pill. This method is very effectiveâbut it requires a lot of practice and repetitionâand therefore patience, before you can master the skill.
Crushing or Splitting Pills
Some owners practice crushing or splitting pills to easily mix them with dog food or treats. However, this requires prior consultation with the veterinarian if crushing or splitting is appropriate for the type of pill you are giving to the dog. The reason behind this is that some pills need to be intact to ensure proper absorption of the drug or to minimize side effects, such as digestive tract irritation.
Positive Reinforcement Strategies
Medication time doesnât have to be stressful for you or the dog, which means using positive reinforcement strategies could significantly improve the cooperation between you and your canine friend. You may begin by practicing association techniques by letting dogs relate taking medications with positive experiences. For example, dogs may associate taking pills with more treats and praises if done before, during, and even after giving the medication. It helps create a positive association and thus experience later on.
You may also try turning a medication session into a game time or incorporating it into the training session. You can use simple commands like âgood medicineâ or âtake itâârewarding your dog every time they comply with what you asked. Through time, your dog may become more accepting and it may even become a routine.
During the entire process, it is important that you remain patient and calm. As dogs have good senses, they can feel your anxiety, making them more resistant to taking their medicines.
Tips on When Your Dog Refuses Pills
Even the best techniques ever practiced may failâand there will be times when your dog refuses to take a pill no matter how hard you try. Here are some tips to overcome this challenge:
Change the food or treat. Dogs have very astute senses and over time they can catch up to the pillâs usual hiding spot. When this happens, try a different treat or food that can adequately disguise the pill.
Use foods that smell. Strong-odored foods, like canned dog foods or liverwurst, can conceal the scent of medicineâparticularly when youâre hiding it there.
Try different techniques each time, particularly if hiding the pill in foods or treats isnât working at all. You can practice switching to manual administration or using a pill device.
Ask your vet. There are some medications that may be reconstituted to liquid formâwhile some are available as flavored chews. You should consult your vet whether you can have these types of medications.
Right schedule. As much as possible, give the pill during the time when the dog is hungry because they are less likely to refuse food with hidden pills inside.
Create the habit. Consistency is also key when you are giving medications to dogs. Creating this habit helps your dog know what to expect in the process.
You may not do it right the first time, but persistence and patience are all you need to overcome this challenge. However, if for some reason you still continue to face the same struggle, reach out to your veterinarian for help.
Key Takeaways
There are various techniques that you can employ when giving dogs their pills, including positive reinforcements.
Patience is key if you want the experience to be easy and smooth for both you and your canine friend.
Always remember that each dog is unique and may have a different reaction to taking pills.
Practice and persistence are necessary for your dog to develop the habit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you open pill capsules for dogs?
Yes, you can but with the explicit approval of the veterinarian. The vet knows which medications are formulated to be released slowly in the body, which means opening the capsule may alter the effectiveness of the drug or may even cause more irritation.
