Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
Grain free, easy-to-digest food that is gentle on the stomach. Nourishes skin & promotes lustrous fur.
With delicious chunks in a decadent gravy
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Determining how to give a dog a pill can sometimes be a challenge. But as a dog parent, learning how to get a dog to take a pill is an important skill to master, and luckily enough, a rather simple one in most cases.
Most dogs don't comply when it comes to taking their medication in pill form simply because they don't enjoy the taste of the pill. With this in mind, what can pet parents do to make this process go more smoothly? Read on to learn some veterinarian-approved tricks of the trade.
While dogs don't need a spoonful of sugar to make the medicine go down, the same concept applies here. If your vet gives the go-ahead for the medication to be given with food, you can hide the capsule or tablet in the center of a homemade treat. You can use canned food, lean meat, cheese, peanut butter or any other moldable food your pup loves, and form a meatball, cheese ball or peanut buttery treat around the pill. Lean meat or canned dog food is ideal here to watch calories so medicating your pup doesn't lead to weight gain. There are also specially formulated dog treats that are made specifically for hiding pet treats that you can often find at your local vet or pet store. It is not recommended to use raw meat when giving your dog the pill as raw meat can come with its own issues such as bacteria like salmonella.
Many dogs will happily accept the first meatball with gratitude, making this the simplest way to give an oral pill to most dogs. For those more skeptical pups, you may have to give a plain pill-free meatball to earn their trust and then sneak in the pill later.
When the pill can't be given with food or you have a super sniffer who spits it out, learning how to give a dog a pill may require that you take matters into your own hands — literally. Use these steps for guidance:
Because this technique requires a little bit more skill, it may be worthwhile to ask your veterinarian to do a demonstration before attempting this on your own. Once you've successfully placed the pill in your dog's mouth, do your best to keep your pup's mouth closed by quickly replacing your dominant hand back on the lower jaw to allow gentle control. Blowing onto your dog's nose and stroking their throat softly will encourage swallowing. Most dogs will lick their nose after they've swallowed a pill. For those more discreet dogs who keep you wondering, just keep an eye on them for a moment afterward to see if they spit out the evidence.
If you're still not able to get your dog to take their pill, other forms of the medication may be necessary. For example, your vet may prescribe liquid medications; liquids can be given via a syringe (or dropper provided with the medication) into the rear of your dog's mouth by inserting the tip of the syringe near the back teeth on either side. The cheek pouch is another good spot to aim for with liquid medications. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that holding your dog's head pointing partially upward can help prevent spills — a particularly important tip when learning how to get a dog to take a pill. It's important to have an open and honest line of communication with your veterinarian if you are struggling to administer medications, so they can help tailor your pet's treatment plan in a way that keeps both you and your pet relaxed and safe. Even if they can't prescribe a different formulation of a medication, they may have their own tips and tricks they've learned over the years they can share with you.
If you've struggled with giving your dog medication in the past, be sure to use these steps to ensure you understand how to give a dog a pill.
Dr. Laci Schaible is a small animal veterinarian, veterinary journalist, and a thought leader in the industry. She received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University and her Masters in Legal Studies from Wake Forest University.
Advanced nutrition to support hip & joint health from day 1
Supports healthy joints, lean muscle, and beautiful coat for large breed dogs
Supports lean muscle, for dogs who prefer smaller kibble
Supports lean muscle and beautiful coat for adult dogs
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Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Our low calorie formula helps you control your dog's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.