How to give your dog tablets or pills

Most dogs, at some time or another, will need to undertake a course of treatment which involves pills or tablets. Even if they do not, the odds are that at least once you will have to attempt to give your dog a pill, or two. Most of the dogs that I have owned, over the years have easily taken their medication. In fact one rescue dog had been so ill, for so long, that as soon as he heard a pill bottle being opened, he would rush through thinking that the contents were for him.

However, you may not be so lucky. One of my current dogs has had a lot of health problems, requiring various courses of pills, in the last year and has now taken the stubborn line. If you manage to prise open his mouth, in order to get the pill inside, then he will tightly clamp his teeth and jaws down on your hand and fingers. As our Vet said when I told him "It sure hurts, doesn't it?". Well the answer is "yes it does" and usually the pill is spat out onto the floor, into the bargain.

Here are a few of my tried and tested means for getting a dog's medication where it needs to be, to do any good, namely inside the dog. I have saved until last the current trick which now works on my stubborn dog.

People will advise you to try all sorts of tricks and ways to give a dog pills but here are some which I have found actually do work.

• If the tablet is a capsule ask the vet if it is OK to open this pill and sprinkle the contents onto the dog's food. Sometimes it will be a slow release medicine and so this will not be advisable. However, if the vet says that this is a safe practice give it a shot. Be careful if you have other pets, and or children, in your house though. You will need to make sure that the dog eats all of his food as any leftover could be dangerous to others or mean that the treatment does not work.
• Depending on your dog, and the size of the pill, see if your dog will take it as he would a treat. My hypochondriac dog would run through, greedily take his pill and then crunch it down in record time, unless it was in capsule form.
• Buy Pill Pockets, which are available these days, and which should help you administer the medication. These are basically a doggie treat which has been manufactured so that you can hide a dog's pill or tablet inside, for ease of administering.
• Hold the dog's mouth, a little way back, and at either side with one hand. With your other hand quickly open the dog's jaws, push the pill as far back as you can down the dog's throat and close his jaws. As you pet him hold his mouth closed and massage his throat. If he will not swallow put one hand over his nose for a couple of seconds and he will soon swallow. This may sound cruel but it is a quick, simple and effective way for many dogs to be given medication. Always fuss your dog up and tell him how good he is after giving treatment. Remember to check that the pill or pills have been swallowed. Dogs sometimes will still manage to spit pills onto the floor after all of this.
• Hide the medication in a favourite food. If the other tips have failed try this one. You will need to hide it in something which your dog will eagerly take, chew a little and swallow down. In order to decide what food to try consider what is wrong with your dog and their favourite foods. Many owners find that pills and tablets are easily concealed in a piece of sausage, a small chunk of cheese or a small piece of brown bread with a little butter. Never give your dog white bread.
• So my latest discovery came about after having my fingers and hands regularly clamped into my little dogs jaws last year. In desperation I tried lots of different foods but all too many failed. More often than not the pill ended up on the floor, a soggy mess which had to be thrown away. With the price of a dog's medication being so high I could not afford the waste and it was traumatic for my dog. In the end the life saver was Cheese Spread. I would break one of those Cheese Spread Triangles in half. This meant that I could give one half to my other dog, so it appeared as if they were just both having a little treat. I would call them through and as they both love cheese they would be leaping with excitement. One half would have the necessary pills pushed firmly into it and then both dogs would be offered their cheese spread. Down it went in a flash. The sticky cheese holds any pills firmly and my dogs would just swallow it as no chewing is needed. I found that the cheaper cheese spread works best as it is former and also I stored it in the fridge so it was never runny.

1. Your dog may be feeling ill, be in pain or very scared so aim to be confident but reassuring.
2. Despite having to be firm, in both manner and grip, be sensitive and caring.
3. Do not shout at your dog or scold it if administering medication is not easy. This will not help at all.
4. Stay calm.
5. Be patient.
6. Praise your dog afterward.
7. Make sure that you do not hurt your dog by, for example, forcing the animal's jaw open roughly or too wide.

You will find that it will be trial and error giving your dog any necessary pills and tablets. You can avoid pills sometimes by opting for other alternatives, but will probably have to give your dog pills sooner or later. Take into account the dog's age, any health conditions and temperament. If your dog has a sore mouth do not try to simply force his mouth open as you will cause him pain. If your dog has a snappy temperament it won't be wise to do this either.

Talk to your vet about any concerns you may have and ask his or her advice. There are small items that can be used to aid giving tablets but a lot of it is common sense.

From when your dog is a small puppy make sure that he or she is used to being handled by you and your family. Clean the animals teeth regularly using special dog toothbrushes and dog toothpaste. This will get the dog used to your hand being in and around its mouth.

Always try to maintain an air of confidence, when you are giving you dog tablets or pills, as any nervousness on your part will unsettle the dog.