How to “Pill” Your Dog

How to “Pill” Your Dog

Your dog had a minor surgery and needs some antibiotics to ward off infection. Maybe you’ve never had to “pill” your dog before, so the vet takes care of the first dose before you leave the clinic. But soon enough, your turn comes.

A bitter pill to swallow!

You wrap the pill in something your dog loves and he gobbles it right up. How easy is that? Simple! What's the problem? Well, a few hours later you find the melted pill on the kitchen floor. He ate the treat, but spit out the bitter pill, oblivious to its medicinal purpose…for some dogs (and for some owners), it's not as easy as it looks!

If possible, start early

"Pilling" your dog always works out best if you learn how to do it while he's a puppy. Because, healthy as he may be, over a dog's lifetime, there will undoubtedly be many occasions when administering pills will be necessary. However, whether you have a puppy or an adult or mature dog, everyone can learn to pill any dog with a few simple tips and techniques, even if your nature tends to be on the squeamish side.

Tips & techniques

Here are a few guidelines, ranging from easiest to hardest, to help you get those pills down:

• Play "Hide the Pill"

  Dogs love a treat. And even if the instructions say to give the medication on an empty stomach, the little bit of food it takes to pill him is usually fine. But be sure to check with your veterinarian first. Whether it's peanut butter, some soft cheese, or a bite of hotdog, you'll need something bite-sized and "moldable." There are companies that make edible "pockets" in various sizes, in which to place your dog's pill. The "pocket" is then squished closed around the pill. Essentially, it's a safe and simple way to medicate your pet. Some dogs, like the one in the example above, choose to eat the yummy bit and spit out the pill. Some dogs are extremely adept at this, so you should always open your dog's mouth and see if the pill is hiding in there somewhere and check the floor around him. One helpful tip is to occasionally offer just the pocket as a treat when a pet is healthy. This will increase the likelihood of him taking the treat and swallowing it with a pill inside when pilling is necessary.

• Try the Vet's Method

  This method is sometimes harder for squeamish owners and/or fearful dogs. But with practice, it's extremely effective. When you've mastered it, it's over in a matter of seconds; your dog won't realize what's happening.

  1. Face the same direction as your dog.
  2. Straddle your dog and open the top of his mouth around the muzzle with one hand.
  3. Tip his head back very slightly.
  4. With your free hand, place the pill as far back in the throat as possible, on the back of the tongue, toward the center.
  5. Hold your dog's mouth closed with one hand while using the other to rub his throat to promote swallowing.
  6. Praise your dog, and then open his mouth to make sure the pill has actually gone down.
• Use a "Pill Pen"

  There are a variety of devices that resemble a pen, which you can buy in most pet stores, or in online catalogs. You load it up with a pill and administer. These work best for small dogs and cats.

• Go to Your Vet

  Of course, your veterinarian can offer hands-on tips to help you pill your dog. But if you try everything and it fails, you can book regular times with your vet, and they'll pill your dog for you during the course of the medication. It may be a bit of an inconvenience, but it'll get the job done!