If you’ve ever had the pleasure of giving medication to a dog that doesn’t want to cooperate, you understand how challenging and frustrating it can be. And sometimes it’s for good reason. Would you want to swallow a pill without a glass of water? Unfortunately, if your dog needs medication, it’s something you must deal with. The good news is there are a few tricks that you can try to help make the experience go a little smoother. Below, an experienced Woodland vet shares some helpful advice on medicating your dog with ease.
Food is Your Friend
It’s often much easier to slip that pill or liquid medication right into your pet’s food. Wait until your pooch is hungry for a meal, and then simply mix in the crushed up meds. You can also try placing the medication in a dollop of peanut butter or cream cheese. Your dog will think she is getting an extra special treat and gobble it up! Just double check with your Woodland vet first to make sure the medication is okay to be taken with food.
Try a Pill Dropper
Some pills cannot be taken with food, or cannot be crushed up. In other cases, some especially tricky dogs will turn up their nose to food with medication in it, so it may be necessary to administer the pill directly to your pet. A pill dropper is like a syringe that allows you to quickly and easily deliver the medication directly to the back of your pet’s mouth so he’ll swallow it. Ask your Woodland vet for a product recommendation and for a demonstration to ensure that you use it correctly.
Get Hands On
If a pill dropper isn’t available and the food trick doesn’t work, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and take matters into your own hands. Get your dog to sit still and tilt her head up. Gently pull open her mouth and drop the pill in. Then, massage your dog’s neck to help the pill to go down. If it’s liquid medication, place the dropper into the side of your dog’s mouth and aim it toward the back of her tongue. This will ensure that the meds go down, where they’re supposed to, and not all over your dog and you. Again, if you’re unsure, ask your Woodland vet for a demonstration.
Giving a dog medication isn’t always the easiest or the most fun activity, but it’s a part of responsible dog ownership. Employing these helpful tricks and working with your Woodland vet will help make the experience go as smoothly as possible.