The negative aspect about giving pills to our dogs is the fact that the poor dog lacks the capability to understand that it is all done for their own good.

Working at a veterinarian office I have got many calls from frantic owners that couldn't administer their beloved dog the prescribed pills. One owner in particular told me: "I have the sweetest dog but when pilling time comes she turns into a vicious coyote!"

However, it doesn't necessarily have to be such a big ordeal.

Finding a way to pill your dog in an acceptable manner is especially fundamental in those dogs with chronic conditions that require continuous pilling throughout their lifetimes. Going through such a hassle every day can perfectly ruin one of the best dog/owner relationships and easily turn into feelings of mistrust and fear.

When giving pills to a dog there are basically three options:

Option 1

The most common option is just forcing the pill down. This is usually an accepted method if you have a pretty calm dog and have to only administer pills for a short time.

The first step is to kneel down at your dog's level. Take his/her muzzle with one hand and direct the dog's face vertically towards the ceiling. Then pry the dog's mouth open and push the pill quickly and firmly as back as possible. Let go of the jaw and massage the dog's throat to encourage swallowing. Check to make sure the pill has gone down before releasing him/her as some dogs are masters in tricking owners and spitting the pill out upon release. It may help to offer a treat afterward, to encourage swallowing. If this method does not seem to work well, try to invest in a pill popper. Most vet offices sell these. It's a sort of syringe that will pop the pill quickly and effectively down the dog's throat.

If you are dealing with a liquid medication, most come with a dosing dropper. Place this dropper in the dog's cheek pocket and squirt the liquid. Some liquid medications are pretty tasty, so you can skip this part and offer it on top your dog's food.

Option 2

Research for a compounding pharmacy in your area. More and more compounding pharmacies specialize in turning the most sour, bitter pills into mouth watering liquids or chew-ables. They may add chicken or fish flavor and make pilling feel more like a reward. This is a great solution for those owners that have to administer pills on a regular basis, however the medication may turn up being more costly.

Option 3

If the medication can be given with food- read the label carefully or ask the vet- hide the pill inside a "meatball" of canned food. Roll some canned food into a meatball and insert the pill in the middle. You can try to crush the pill (check if the medication may be taken crushed) and insert it into a piece of hot-dog or cheese. Most dogs may will readily gulp it down with no effort. Others though, usually the most finicky, may still be able to sense the pill or will chew and spit the pill out. Some owners crush the pills and mix them into their canned food. Another option are Pill pockets, a special yummy treat available in different flavors at vet offices and major pet store retailers. These treats are equipped with a hollow end where to insert the pill.

Whichever option works the best, it will teach your beloved dog that medicating does not have to be a painful or stressful experience, but actually it can turn out into a pleasurable event, that most importantly, will not affect that unique bond that reunites canines and their owners.