Whether it’s a regular worming tablet or pills for when they’re ill, it’s a relief to know that medicine is there for your dog when they need it. But how do you give pills to a dog?
It would be fantastic if it was as easy as popping a pill in your dog’s dinner for them to eat without realising, but many owners know that this just isn’t the case!
Here’s our guide to giving your dog tablets.
Top tableting tips
Read all the instructions before giving any medicine to your dog. If you’re not sure about how much to give, or how to prepare it, check with us first. Ask your vet whether you need to wear gloves when giving your dog their medicine. You may need to protect your skin when handling certain medications, like steroids.
Try using food to hide medicine. It’s always worth trying this first as you won’t need to handle your dog’s mouth, which might be uncomfortable for you both. Use a treat your dog usually enjoys. You could try some sausage, cold meats, cubed cheese, squeezy cheese or cream, apple cubes or carrot slices. If your dog has any allergies or food intolerances, ask your vet which food might be best to use. Remember that there are some foods that are dangerous to dogs.
Check if your dog can eat with or after their medicine. Some medicine should be given when your dog’s stomach is empty, but one small treat should be fine if this helps to ensure that they receive the treatment. Ask your vet if you’re not sure.
Check if you can crush it. Crushing tablets into a powder to mix with their normal food might help to hide it better but there are some medicines which must not be crushed or split and should be given whole. Ask your vet if you’re not sure.
Try using a gadget like a pill-splitter or a crusher to help you prepare your dog’s medicine correctly. Sometimes dogs need half or even a quarter of a tablet, which can be fiddly.
Watch your dog as you go, stopping right away if you see any signs that they are becoming uncomfortable, worried, or frustrated. An understanding of a dog’s body language is essential in helping you and your dog work together.
1Treats on hand.Before you get started, make sure you have plenty of tasty treats that your dog really enjoys but rarely gets. This way, they’ll be extra special and exciting.
2Stroke the top of your dog’s headStroke your dog on the top of their head with one hand then give them a treat straight away from your other hand. Repeat this several times, gradually holding your hand still on top of their head before giving them a treat.
This teaches your dog that having their head touched, and perhaps being leaned towards, means a delicious treat is coming right away.
3Add a cueStart to add in a word or phrase to signal what is about to happen. For example, if you say “tablet time” each time, your dog should soon associate these words with you giving them a treat directly into their mouth.
The order is important: you need then touch your dog, so they learn that one thing always happens after the other.
Touch their snoutJust after saying “tablet time”, place your hand over the top of your dog’s snout with your thumb to one side of their snout and your fingers on the other, as if you’re gently holding a computer mouse.
The palm of your hand is likely to cover their eyes and/or
face, especially with flatter-faced dogs. This might worry them, so tell them how clever they are and give them a treat or two straight away.
Let go right away and throw another treat out for them to chase and enjoy – this will distract them in a fun way. It also shows them that you’re only holding them for a moment before they can go and enjoy themselves. Repeat this step several times to give your dog confidence about having you place your hand over their snout.
5Start to massage their mouth gently
Say “tablet time”, then with your hand in position over their upper jaw, start to massage the outside of their mouth gently, just for a second, but don’t try to open their mouth at this point. Give them a treat straight away from your other hand, then throw another treat out
for them to chase and enjoy. Repeat this stage several times.
Once your dog realises what’s going to happen and starts to open their mouth readily to receive the treat each time, you’re ready to move on.
6Hold and massage together while giving a treat
Say “tablet time”, then hold your dog’s top jaw and massage as before while bringing a treat towards their mouth.
As soon as they open their mouth, pop a treat just inside, rather than waiting for them to take it from you themselves. Immediately let go so they can enjoy their treat, then throw another out as usual. Repeat this stage several times.
Place the treat further back into your dog’s mouthNext, start to place the treat a little further back in your dog’s mouth. This will help ensure they do eat the pill when you come to give it. The further back it is, the easier it will be to swallow. The hand across the top of your dog’s upper jaw helps to stabilise their head and jaw while your other hand can help to open their mouth and rub their throat, if necessary.
8Now for real
Once your dog has completed this training, you should be able to give them a pill hidden in a treat. Some dogs will even readily accept a pill on its own if they’re given a treat to chase and eat straight away afterwards.
A top tip if
your dog is backing away, is to sit behind your dog so if they try to back away – they back into you. The hand cupping the snout will need to come from above, and the other hand ready with the pill once the mouth opens. Once you have put the pill disguised as a treat right into the back of their mouth, shut their mouth close for a few seconds and massage their throat gently to encourage swallowing.
Always tell your dog how amazing they are for letting you do this and follow up by throwing a treat or two for them to chase.
