How Do I Get My Dog to Swallow a Tablet or Pill?
A Simple Trick to Make Oral Medication Go Down Smoothly
Jul 9, 2009
It goes without saying that every dog, in its lifetime, will go through at least several occasions when he or she falls sick, and is required to swallow a tablet. Though veterinary prescriptions come with every trick in the book to make the dog believe that every prescription medicine is a delectable treat, dogs have a way of knowing that this is something they don’t want. Period. Be it sugar coated or chicken flavoured, the ill-fated object is licked tentatively, held in the mouth with good humour for a bit, and then, inevitably, spat out quietly or vehemently as the case may be. The dog is unwell, the owner harried; it's really not the time for a tussle of wills. Go down that pill must, come what may. It's really not so difficult if you know the trick.
Dog Health: Giving Oral Medication the Traditional Way
- The College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University, recommends the use of the "meatball" method, where the medication is disguised in a meatball and given to the dog. They also suggest a test run, since if the dog does not swallow the entire meatball as expected, then slipping in a capsule can get messy. If the dog tends to chew the meatball, then it is better to try another method.
- A straightforward method is to hold the head of the dog, making sure that the step-by-step instructions are followed, to avoid danger of choking.
- Placing the tablet between two layers of the dog’s favourite food and getting it into his or her mouth by hand is also an option. But every dog owner also knows that this doesn't work every time - most dogs have a knack of slipping out just the tablet, long after the rest of the treat has gone down.
The New Trick in Dog Care: Getting a Sick Canine to Swallow Using a Reflex Action
This win-win solution for both dog and owner is a must-try for everybody who ever cares for a sick pet. Simply place the tablet in the dog's mouth, hold up the lower jaw lightly and dab a spot of honey on the button of the dog's nose! It's a reflex action of the dog to lick up whatever is on his nose, so the honey gets licked up immediately - and the dog swallows automatically. In the process, the tablet or capsule goes in - lightly guided by your holding up his lower jaw at a slight upward angle, so the pill slides down his throat, and doesn't get dropped by "accident"!
When he realises it also tastes good, he licks it again a couple of times, so even if the capsule is still halfway down, it goes down smoothly in the next round.
If it doesn't happen the first time, no need to worry. Simply place the tablet again, and dab some more honey on the nose. It's a great way of getting the job done, with a treat for the dog to boot. Check with your vet, though, if honey is acceptable for your pet.
Now that you know the trick, caring for a sick canine need not be as stressful. Administering a pill or two in the interest of dog health need never be a nightmare again.
Related Reading
If you found this useful, you might also like to read Natural Remedies for Dog Care: Organic Health from the Kitchen for Common Pet Problems.
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