How to Give Medicine to Your Dog

How to give your dog a pill

If you've ever attempted to give your dog a pill, then you know this is no easy feat!

The simplest way to give medicine to your dog is to hide it in his food. In fact, there are commercially available dog treats that are hollow on the inside, made just for this purpose. However, if you don't have a hollow dog treat available, then your next best bet is to hide the pill in a piece of meat or bread that has been coated with peanut butter. (Always check with your vet first, however, because some foods should not be given with certain types of medicine.)

If the "hide the dog's pill in his food" method doesn't work, you may have to give the pill directly by mouth. (Don't try this if you think your dog may bite you!):

1. Tell your dog to sit. Then, while opening his mouth with one hand, hold his head upward and drop the pill as far as possible into the back of his throat, over the hump of his tongue.
2. Next, while gently holding your dog's head up at a slight angle, close his mouth and carefully massage his throat. When you see him swallow and then lick his lips, you'll know the pill has successfully been ingested.
3. Praise your dog for his good behavior!

If after several attempts, you simply cannot get your dog to swallow a pill, call your vet and find out if your dog's medication is available in liquid form, which can more easily be syringed into your dog's mouth.

How to give your dog liquid medicine

Give a liquid medication to your dog entails a slightly different technique than giving him a pill.

1. After telling your dog to sit, hold his upper jaw (just as you would for giving him a pill); however, keep his head level, rather than tipping it upward, so he won't choke.
2. Place the syringe filled with medicine along the side of his mouth, between his teeth and gum, and squirt the medicine into his mouth. (Don't attempt to squirt medicine into the back of his throat! It could go down his windpipe and cause him to choke.)
3. Close your dog's mouth and gently rub his throat until he swallows.
4. Praise your dog for his good behavior.

Most important, be sure to give medicine to your dog exactly as your veterinarian prescribes, and continue giving it until it is completely gone, even if your dog appears to feel better.

~Lisa Pallardy
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