With some dogs, it's easy to administer medicine - just hide it in a piece of cheese. With others, you may suffer a little more. You have several methods to succeed. Take the time to figure out which one works best for both of you so that giving your dog the medications becomes a breeze.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Hide the Pill
Step 1. Get her favorite food
It is necessary to counterbalance the animal's disgust caused by the medicine with something irresistible. Make sure you choose a healthy food, such as a simple piece of meat, some cheese, some peanut butter or some yogurt. Avoid junk foods like candy and chips.
- This system has the desired effects if the dog swallows food quickly, without chewing.
- It also works best with dishes where you can insert the pill completely, so it doesn't fall out.
- Sometimes pill hiding treats you can buy at your vet or pet stores work better than food.
Step 2. Hide the pill inside the food
You have several ways to do this, depending on the type of food you use. Typically, the goal is to wrap or push the pill inside the dish, so you can be sure it is well hidden. To do this, try different methods to figure out which one works best for your dog.
- You can shape a meatball around the tablet with ground beef.
- You can push the pill inside a serving of hot dog.
- You can easily get the shape you need with a soft cheese to completely coat the lozenge.
Step 3. Give him food
It may take a few tries. Sometimes dogs are able to separate the medicine from the food in their mouth and then spit it out. In this case, try again. If after several times you are unsuccessful, you will probably have to resort to another method.
- It is advisable to try to wait until the dog is hungry and then give him two or three unaltered treats so that, savoring the taste, he desires others. Then introduce the medicated one, immediately followed by another normal one that removes the taste of the previous one from the mouth.
- If you have more than one dog, try this system when both are present. Give the unmedicated food to the other dog first. Then, move on to administer the drug to the sick little dog. Thanks to the competition with the partner, the likelihood that he will ingest the medicated bite can be much greater.
Method 2 of 4: Crush the Pill
Step 1. Crush the pill
Of course, this method only works with drugs that can be crushed. You may need to crumble some medicine for your dog. However, some should not be chopped both because the content can be extremely bitter and disgusting to force the animal to leave the food and because they have been produced to act in a slow release over 24 hours and, by breaking them, you risk destroying the food. effectiveness.
- Liquid medicine inside a capsule can be removed by cutting the capsule and sliding the medicine out.
- Do not crush pills that have a coating.
- Read on the package of the drug or consult your vet to find out if you can crush the tablets.
Step 2. Mix the medicine into the dog's favorite food
Rice and beef are a good combination, easy to digest. However, if you want to use this system, it is best not to use dry dog food, as in order to keep the medicine and the dish together, it will probably be necessary to obtain a fairly moist consistency.
Step 3. Feed him
Make sure you don't overdo the portion, because if you don't finish it, it means you haven't taken the full dose of medicine. If you own other dogs, make sure they don't ingest medicated food. If necessary, have the sick dog eat in another room.
Step 4. Obtain a needle-free syringe if medicated food is unappetizing for your dog
Take the crushed pill and pour the powder into the syringe with a little water. Inject the solution into the dog's mouth. He won't like it, but that way he'll take on most of it.
- Open the animal's mouth. It should not be wide open, but open just enough to insert the syringe.
- Insert the syringe into the back of your mouth so that you can deliver the medicine into your throat.
- Push the plunger to release the medicine. Administered in this way, it will be nearly impossible for him to spit it out.
- Offer the dog a treat.
Method 3 of 4: Pretend You Want the Pill
Step 1. Get several foods your dog loves to eat
You don't have to give them all, so you can show them you like them too. Pretend delighted to get her attention. The key is to get the dog to want them.
Step 2. Drop a few crumbs to the floor while you eat
Of course it will not be medicine, but it is a way for the dog to expect a rich, unmedicated dish. Therefore, he will let his guard down and will want to eat whatever you drop.
Step 3. At first pretend not to notice that food has fallen on the floor
Other times, grab it quickly and take it away from the dog. This will get him to act quickly to snatch the bite out of your hand. By doing so, you will encourage him to eat what you drop, without delay.
Step 4. Drop the pill
It can be hidden in a bite or just on its own. Try taking it off your dog right away, in an attempt to trick him into swallowing it. If you're worried about missing the opportunity, you won't have to try too hard either.
Step 5. Keep other dogs away
This works best when there are no other dogs around, otherwise there is a risk that one of them will try to take the pill in the same way. Therefore, it is important to isolate the little dog you intend to care for. However, leaving one of them in his line of sight, perhaps behind a gate, in the pet carrier or out on the balcony, may increase his interest.
Method 4 of 4: Push the Pill into His Mouth
Step 1. Force the dog to gently swallow the pill
Use this method if you can't get him to take the medicine in other ways. This may seem like a bit of an extreme solution, but in some cases it may be absolutely necessary. Don't worry, you won't suffocate him. If you are not in a hurry and proceed gently, it can be a simple and safe way to get her to swallow it.
Step 2. With one hand, start by opening your jaws from behind your mouth
Then, use your other hand to keep the roof of your mouth raised. Fold your lips over your teeth to keep them from biting. Go slowly so as not to hurt him. Don't cover your nose.
Step 3. Open the dog's mouth wide and insert the pill inside
Try to put it as far back as possible so that it can swallow it. By introducing it to the bottom of the mouth, there is a greater chance of it happening. If you don't put it back far enough, there is a risk that you will throw it out.
Step 4. Close his mouth gently
Keep it closed until she swallows. The first few times it can be difficult to notice when you have ingested it. Always check later, just to make sure the medicine isn't in your mouth yet. This may seem difficult, but keep her closed a little to make sure she's on the drug.
- Gently blow on your nose to aid in swallowing.
- Massage your dog's throat after he swallows the pill to make sure he goes down easily. This will stimulate the swallowing reflex and he will be forced to swallow.
- Give him a little water to drink if necessary.
- Be patient and calm, but firm.
Step 5. Give him a reward
Use a nice reward. Give him a taste of it in large quantities before, but especially after. If he receives a huge reward, the dog will forget this episode. Make sure you take the time to go through all of these steps, especially if you need to give him a medicine frequently. If he realizes that he is going through an unpleasant experience, it will be more difficult for him to cooperate.
Warnings
- Don't put the pill in his mouth if you have long fingernails. You may scratch it in the mouth and throat, where the walls are very sensitive.
- If you choose to crush the pill, it is not recommended to mix the medicine with a whole can of food. If the dog does not finish the whole portion, he will not ingest the dose he needs.
- Make sure the pill can be crushed. Some medicines cannot be crushed or broken.
- Do not heat the pill whole or crushed, as the chemicals contained may be altered making the drug harmful or ineffective.
- Do not try to push the pill into his mouth if your dog has a pinched snout, such as a pug, as this could be dangerous for breathing. Rather, it's best to hide it in a can of tuna!
