How to Give Oral Medication to a Dog
Giving Your Dog a Pill or Liquid the Easy Way
Every good dog owner will be faced with giving his dog medication at some time during the pet’s life. While most dogs don’t mind taking preventives that come in treat form, some dogs don’t see the logic in swallowing a nasty pill, capsule, or liquid. If the veterinarian has prescribed medicine for your dog, a few tips and tricks should help in getting the meds inside the dog instead of on the floor.
Poking the Pill
If the dog has lost his appetite or the medicine can not be given with food, the dog owner will have the unpleasant job of poking the pill down the throat. Dog owners may find it easier to keep a large dog from wiggling away by straddling it and holding its shoulders steady with the knees. Make sure not to put weight on the dog’s back. A smaller dog may be better handled by kneeling beside it or facing it.
With the left hand, grasp over the top of the dog’s muzzle and carefully pull the bottom jaw down with the right hand. Folding the dog’s top lips in over his teeth will discourage him from biting down. Very quickly, poke the pill as far back in the dog’s throat as possible and close the mouth, holding it shut with the left hand, while gently stroking the throat with the right, until he swallows. It is easier for the dog to swallow if his head is level or turned slightly down rather than pointed up.
Some dog experts suggest blowing on the dog’s nose which sometimes encourages them to swallow but many dogs absolutely hate that and may be more inclined to bite. Anyone trying the blowing method, should keep her face a safe distance away.
For dogs that are biters, there are pilling devices that may be used to extend the pill into the back of the mouth without placing fingers in danger. Dog owners can get advice from the vet on these.
Meatball Method
If the dog has an appetite and the medication can be given with food, the easiest way is to fashion a meatball from a chunk of canned dog food and push the pill or capsule inside it. Most dogs will eat it right up and never realize the medicine was in it, but a small test meatball should be given first to make sure the dog will take it.
In some cases, a pill may be crushed and added into the meatball but be sure to check with the veterinarian first as some meds lose effectiveness without the coating.
Giving Liquid Medication
Liquids may be a bit easier to administer than pills or capsules. Simply pull the dog’s lip away from the teeth creating a “pouch” into which the liquid is squirted. This reduces the risk of the medication being aspirated into the lungs. Hold the dog’s mouth closed and allow the medicine to dribble between the teeth. Hold the dog’s mouth and gently stroke his throat until he swallows to prevent the medicine from running out or the dog shaking his head and flinging liquid everywhere.
With veterinarian approval, liquid medication may also be given by adding it into a scoop of canned dog food and water stirred together into a gravy-like consistency.
Caution
Any distressed dog has the potential to bite. The author is not responsible for any injuries incurred by any party as a result of using these methods.
How to Give a Pill to a Dog
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