For some dogs, swallowing pills may be easy. You simply insert it into a piece of cheese. OK. However, for some other dogs you'll have to rack your brains a bit. There are several ways to get your dog to swallow the medicine. Take the time to figure out what works best for you and your dog. That way, when it's time to take the medicine, everything will run smoothly, without drama.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Hiding Pills
Step 1. Buy the food your dog likes best
You must overcome your dog's distaste for his medication by offering him something he can't refuse. Choose foods that are healthy for him, such as lean meats, cheese, peanut butter, or yogurt. Do not give processed foods that are low in nutrients such as candy or chips.
- This solution is especially effective if the dog swallows its food quickly, without chewing it.
- This method is also most suitable for foods that can wrap the pills well so they don't fall off.
- Using pill bags is sometimes more effective than food. You can get them at your vet's office.
- Previously, make sure the drug can be taken with food to prevent annoying side effects.
Step 2. Hide the pills in the food
There are several ways to do this, depending on the type of food you're using. The goal is to wrap the pill in the food, or insert it into the food so that it is safely hidden. Try different ways to hide pills in food to determine which one works best for your dog.
- Ground beef, turkey or chicken can be used to wrap pills.
- You can also insert pills into sausages.
- You can easily form a soft cheese to cover the medicine.
- If you're using only peanut butter, pinch the pill with tweezers and dip it in the peanut butter. Coat the pill with enough peanut butter to make it look appealing to the dog, but not too much.
Step 3. Give the food to the dog
You may have to experiment a few times. Sometimes, dogs can separate medication from food in their mouth and then spit it out. If this happens, try again. After trying several times and still failing, you should look for another method.
- You can wait until your dog is hungry, and then give him two or three medicated treats so he gets used to the taste and wants more of it. After that, you can give medicated food, followed by another food without medicine to get the taste of the medicine out of his mouth.
- If you have more than one dog, try this method when the two animals are together. First, give the other dog non-medicated food. Then, try to feed the sick dog with medicine. Competition with other dogs may encourage him to eat medicated food.
Method 2 of 4: Crushing Pills
Step 1. Crush the medicine
This method can only be applied to drugs that can be crushed. Often, you can crush the medication before giving it to the dog. However, some medications should not be crushed because the taste may be so bitter that the dog won't want to touch the food or because the medication is designed to release the active ingredient slowly over 24 hours and destroying the drug will impair this ability.
- The liquid medicine inside the capsule can be extracted by puncturing the capsule and removing the contents.
- Do not crush the coated tablets.
- Check the packaging or ask your vet if you can crush the pills.
Step 2. Mix the medicine in the dog's favorite food
Rice and beef are an easy-to-digest combination. It is not recommended to try this method with dry dog food. You need moisture to get the medicine and food together.
Step 3. Give the food to the dog
Make sure not to give too much food. If the dog does not finish the medicated food, it means the dog is not getting the dose it needs. If you have another dog, make sure he doesn't eat any medicated food. If necessary, feed the dog in a separate room.
Step 4. Use a syringe to give your baby vitamins if your dog doesn't have an appetite for medicated foods
Take the crushed medicine and put it in the injection with a little water. Inject the liquid directly into the dog's mouth. The dog won't like it, but he will swallow most of the medicine.
- Open the dog's mouth. No need to open it too wide, as long as it is enough to insert the injection.
- Put the injection in the back of the mouth so the medicine can flow straight down his throat.
- Push the injection pump, and dispense the medication. This method barely allows the dog to spit out the medicine.
- Give the dog a treat afterward.
Method 3 of 4: Pretending to Want Pills
Step 1. Find a different dog's favorite food
You're not going to give it all to a dog. So, there's nothing wrong with choosing foods that you also like. Pretend to show him that you really enjoy the food to get his attention. The goal is to get the dog to want what you eat.
Step 2. Drop some food on the floor as you eat
This food does not contain drugs. You're just trying to trick the dog into thinking you're giving him regular food. This step will lower his vigilance. The dog will be unsuspecting and will gobble up anything you throw on the floor.
Step 3. At first, pretend not to notice the food you drop
Then, quickly grab the food before the dog snatches it. In this way, you make your dog understand that he has to move quickly to get to the food. This will encourage the dog to devour whatever you drop, without thinking.
Step 4. Drop the pills
You can hide it in food, or drop the pill as is. Try to snatch it from the dog so that he is fooled and then hastily swallowed it. If your dog thinks he's missing out on a chance to get food, you shouldn't bother.
Step 5. Keep the other dogs away
This process will work if no other dogs are there. The presence of other dogs poses the risk of the pills being snatched away by dogs who don't need them. So, it is important to separate the dogs to be medicated. However, allowing other dogs to be nearby, such as behind a fence, in a kennel, or outdoors, can increase the dog's enthusiasm for the medication.
Method 4 of 4: Forcibly Inserting the Pill
Step 1. Force the dog to swallow the pill carefully
Do this if you are unable to give the pill another way. This may seem like a slightly extreme solution, but sometimes it needs to be done. Don't worry, you won't choke him. By doing this without rushing, and gently, you can easily get your dog to swallow the medicine.
Step 2. Begin to open the dog's jaw from behind the mouth with one hand
Then, use your other hand to open your upper jaw and press against the roof of your mouth. Fold his lips over your teeth to prevent him from biting your hand. Do it slowly so as not to hurt him. Take care that your hands don't cover your nose.
Step 3. Open the dog's mouth wide and place the medicine in it
Try to get the medication in as far as possible. You should maximize the likelihood that your dog will swallow the pill. The further away you put the pills, the better your chances. If you don't put it in deep enough, your dog can easily spit it out.
Step 4. Slowly close his mouth
Do this until the dog swallows the medicine. At first it may be difficult to tell if the dog has swallowed it. You should always check his mouth to make sure the medicine is gone. It may seem cruel, but hold the dog's mouth a little longer to make sure the dog has swallowed the medicine.
- Blow his nose gently to help him during this process.
- Wipe the dog's throat with your hand after he swallows the pill to make sure the pill goes down the throat properly. This movement will stimulate the swallowing reflex and he is forced to swallow.
- Encourage the dog to drink a little water if necessary.
- Be patient, show a calm, but firm attitude.
Step 5. Give bonus food after the dog swallows the pill
Use the food he really likes. Give a sufficient amount, before and especially after. Dogs won't mind this experience if they get great rewards afterward. Make sure you don't do it in a hurry, especially if you have to give him pills frequently. If your dog feels that swallowing pills is going to be an unpleasant experience, it will be even more difficult for you to do so.
Tips
- Try making medicinal pills more appealing to dogs with a combination of regular food and extra meat. Serve regular dog food then use wide tweezers to dip the pill into the peanut butter before mixing it with the food.
- Hide medicine pills in soft treats that dogs love. Ask the dog to sit down and then reward him with a treat with a pill hidden in it.
Warning
- Don't try the force-feeding method if you have long nails. You can injure your dog's sensitive skin in his mouth and throat.
- If you choose the pill crushing method, it is not recommended to mix the medicinal powder with a full serving of canned food because if your dog does not finish his food, he will not receive the dose needed for his treatment.
- Check first if the pill is really allowed to be crushed. Some drugs should not be crushed or broken down.
- Do not heat the pill or pill powder as this will cause chemical changes or decomposition which will make the pill ineffective or even toxic.
- Do not try the force-feeding method if the dog has flat facial features, such as the Pug. You can harm his breathing. Perhaps hiding the pills in canned tuna chunks and giving them by hand would be more effective.
