It is not easy to administer a tablet to a dog. It can be challenging for you and your pet, but there are methods to simplify it. If you follow these procedures, administering medication to your animal pet will be much easier.
1. Place a dog goodie on the pill
The medication can be administered to a dog by coating it with something delicious. Use a treat you already know your dog enjoys, such as cheese or peanut butter. Place the pill on top and watch your dog devour both!
If you prefer not to utilize treats, meat also works nicely. Before delivering the tablet to your dog, slice a tiny piece of meat and place it on top of the pill.
2. Pretend to consume the treats as your dog observes you
Remember that your dog observes your every action and desires what you have. If they believe they can get away with it, they will likely try to grab the pill from you, avoiding letting them see too much at once. Take little bites while staring directly at your dog, who may begin licking its lips if it thinks this “reward” is edible (and smells). Chew the pill slowly until there are no more pieces, then discard any residual fragments for good measure.
3. Top the tablet with a goodie in a treat ball
A treat ball is an excellent method for acclimating your dog to eating medicines. The pill is concealed in a hollow ball filled with rewards, which is rolled around until the dog discovers how to roll it to obtain a treat. Your dog will ultimately understand that if he repeatedly rolls the treat ball, he will eventually hit the pill.
Several treat balls are available for purchase online and in pet supply stores such as Petco and PetSmart (or even Walmart). Examples include:
The Kong Wobbler ($12-$15) is one of my favourites because it is simple to fill with food and durable! The hole is also not too narrow, allowing you to pack more oversized items such as hot dogs or peanut butter-coated sticks. It also includes grooves on both sides, so you may choose which side to use based on your dog’s disposition (some dogs prefer righty-tighty while others prefer lefty-loosey).
Nylabone Dura Chew Wishbone ($11) – This chew toy may be precisely what your dog needs if they are an aggressive chewer who likes large bones but cannot consume genuine ones. Its unusual design makes it tough enough for most dogs not to damage it but soft enough to enjoy chewing on it while obtaining their daily vitamin intake from the yummy goodies included.
4. Spread some peanut butter on the tablet
Some people have succeeded with this strategy, but remember that your dog will likely be able to smell and taste the peanut butter. His sense of smell will be amplified even further if you utilize a flavoured variety.
If your dog is finicky about food and dislikes the texture of peanut butter or other goodies, this technique may not work. If he is susceptible to certain odours or tastes, consider trying something else; if nothing else works, consult your veterinarian to find a solution!
5. Provide your dog’s medication with food
The most straightforward approach to providing a pill to your dog is with food. If you’re fortunate, they will also consume the entire meal and their dessert! This is especially useful if you administer a high quantity of tablets or liquid medication to your dog.
If your dog refuses to consume the medication you gave him, try hiding it in peanut butter or cheese. Most canines will accept these treats! Make sure not to put in too many tablets since this could make it difficult for your dog to swallow them. If this does not work, try wrapping the pill in bread and feeding it to them straight as a treat instead of their regular meal.
6. Use a pill dispenser that allows you to hide the pill in a treat.
Pets, whether dogs, cats, birds, or any other domesticated animals, are much more than just animals to us. They are cherished members of our families and bring us joy, comfort, and unconditional love. That’s why it’s so difficult to see them suffer from any kind of illness or injury.
However, giving them their prescribed medication can often be a struggle, especially if it comes in the form of pills. Many pets are savvy enough to detect the presence of medication and refuse to take it. This can lead to stress for both the pet and its owner, especially if the medication is critical to their recovery.
Fortunately, there are some simple tricks to make the process of administering medication much easier. One such trick is using a pill dispenser, which allows you to hide the pill inside a treat. This can make the medication more appealing and disguise its bitter taste, making it much easier to administer.
Another trick is to give the medication along with a small amount of wet food, which helps to disguise the taste and texture of the pill.
7. Use Pill Pockets
Use Pill Pockets. This is the most typical method for administering a pill to a dog. This procedure applies to all pharmaceutical types, including tablets, capsules, chewable, liquid, and pet medications.
What They Are: Pill Pockets are similar to hollowed-out candy. They are made of meat-flavoured snacks that resemble little hot dogs or hamburgers (delicious!). Their sizes vary based on your dog’s mouth, so place your order appropriately. When you place your dog’s prescription inside the treat pocket, the dog will be unable to refuse.
How To Employ Them: Before grabbing anything else from the pantry or medicine cabinet, obtain some uncooked hot dogs or hamburger buns to be used as pill pockets throughout this piece. When it’s time to administer your dog’s medication with these tasty treats in hand, cut off one end of each treat so that they are open like little pockets; then roll just half an inch or so onto itself; add one significant drop of room-temperature liquid medication into each pocket before sealing up tightly with another half inch fold over top edge; and give it back to them whole while saying something encouraging such as “good job!”
8. Wrap it with slices of bread or cheese
Once the medication has been placed in the bread or cheese, it is time to administer it. It is vital not to make the slice too large. You don’t want your dog to be able to bite and spit out the tablet because he might swallow it instead!
So how do you convey this new strategy? A suitable example would be “Here’s your reward.” Place one or two slices on a platter and wrap each with a few cheese cubes or buttered bread (whichever works!). Then, say something like, “Prepare for a deliciously large treat.” When he approaches and begins to nibble on the beautiful item you’ve given him, abruptly draw back and say, “No!” You can also shout his name if necessary; his name will frequently capture his attention so quickly that he will stop what he’s doing as soon as he hears/sees it repeated multiple times by someone who is not him.
9. Express your affection by caressing your neck
If you have a dog, you’ve probably already discovered that there are numerous methods to express your affection for your furry companion. One of the most effective methods is to massage their neck, making them feel relaxed and content.
Because it is a gesture of affection that dogs identify with being loved by their owners, this strategy is effective. Several studies suggest that dogs who receive more attention from their owners tend to be more obedient!
If you can rub your dog’s neck while giving them a pill (or anything else), you should! Chances are, they won’t notice what you’re doing until after they’ve eaten the pill, at which point they’ll equate your affection with having taken medication.
It is not easy to administer medication to a dog, but following these steps will be easier for you and your pet.
If you are experiencing difficulty administering a pill to your dog, several solutions are available.
Method one involves mixing the medication with meals.
Method two involves placing the substance under or on top of the tongue and then holding the patient immobile until they swallow it.
Method 3 involves holding them inverted while they ingest the pill.
There are numerous methods for administering a pill to a dog, but not all are safe. It would help if you discovered the optimal way for both of you so that neither has to cope with adverse effects. If you have any questions or comments concerning providing medicines to dogs, please leave them in the section below.
Do not delay; entrust the care of your pet to the devoted staff at Parliament Animal Hospital. We recognize the unique relationship between pets and their owners and are committed to providing your furry friend with the safest and most compassionate treatment possible. We believe in treating our patients as if they were our pets and our clients as members of our own families. Schedule an appointment immediately to observe the difference. Call us at (647) 347-3300 or visit our website at www.parliamentanimalhospital.ca to schedule an appointment for your pet and become one of our delighted clients!