Giving a dog medication

Canine caretakers, do you feel the need for a chill pill at the thought of giving your dog medication? Relax, help is on the way. Administering medicine is simple, fast and pain-free (for both you and your pooch) when you know how.

Pill and capsule tricks

If your dog's medicine is in pill or capsule form, you have two options. The easier method is to hide the pill in food. A small piece of meat, bread or cheese will work well, or you can try mixing the pill in peanut butter. Now there is a new product called Pill Pockets® which enables you to hide the pill in a healthy dog treat. First offer your dog a Pill Pockets® treat without enclosing the medicine. Next, simply fill the patented pocket with your pill, pinch the pocket closed to eliminate medicine odor, and give this highly palatable pill-delivery treat (that contains real beef) to your dog. Please check with your veterinarian before going this route, as some medicine should not be given with food.

The direct approach to pills

When hiding a pill or capsule isn't an option, you'll need to administer the medication directly. The first step is ensuring that your dog is as relaxed as possible. If Rover seems stressed or overexcited, it may be best to wait until he's more receptive, if time permits. Next, get him set in a comfortable position. This largely depends on what works best for your dog. Try placing him on the floor next to you or, if he's on the smaller side, on a table. For larger dogs it may be necessary to stand over him, one leg on either side of his body. Next, open his mouth by holding his upper jaw in your left hand and gently pulling his lower jaw downward with your right hand. (Lefties, you'll need to reverse that.) Take the capsule between the thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand and place the pill as far back on his tongue as possible. Close your dog's mouth and tilt his chin upward as you gently massage his throat to help him swallow. And don't forget – a "Good dog!" goes a long way after the medicine's gone down.

Administering liquid medications

If Fido's been prescribed liquid medication, prepare the dropper and place your pooch in a sit-stay. Tilt his head (gently, to about a 45-degree angle) and pull back the fold at his lip. Put the dropper in his mouth, ideally in the pocket between his cheek and gums. Take care to squirt the medicine into his mouth slowly, allowing him ample time to swallow it.

When giving medicine to your pet, take care to be gentle but firm. The quicker and smoother you make your actions, the better. And after successfully getting a pill or liquid dosage down, congratulate yourself. And be sure to give your canine companion an extra dose of praise, too.