Dog owners have a lot of “must do” to ensure the wellbeing of the pet. Knowing how to administer medication to a sick pet is very important task that must be learned by a dog owner. Administering oral medications to sick dogs would not be too burdensome as the task will be over when the dog gets well. The need to give the dog its daily vitamins and supplements can be a very arduous task for an owner that does not know how to pill the dog the easy way. So how do you give a dog a pill?
A dog that spews the pill or eludes the master makes pilling even more difficult. Giving the dog a pill often becomes a battle of wits as the wise master would disguise the taste of the pill with the taste of food but because of the dog’s ultra sensitive senses, the pill will be discovered. Dogs do not know that if they take the pill, they would get well thus a pet owner has to find ways to make the task a little easier.
Dogs can be accomplished con artists that would act like good little boys that would willingly open the mouth so that the master can pop the pill. A pet owner has to be aware that the dog can spew put the pill. If your dog has this kind of attitude, the obvious thing that must be done is to watch the dog for while until you are sure that the pill was swallowed.
Giving the dog a pill will be easier if the bitter taste of the pill is disguised by the taste of the dog’s favorite food. Pills that can be crushed or liquid medications can be mixed with a little amount of the dog’s favorite treat. This method though can be used only if the dog is not under dietary restriction. The dog would not know that the pill is hidden in the ham, chicken breast or liverwurst as dogs usually gobble up their food.
Generally, very sick dogs would turn away from food. Mixing the pill with the dog’s food would not be a good idea. The pet must be coached to swallow the pill by placing it directly to the base of the tongue. This technique would be easier if the dog is accustomed to being touched or to teeth brushing. You need to gently open the dog’s mouth to insert the pill at the base of the dog’s tongue. To protect your hand from being bitten by the dog, you have to make sure that the teeth are covered by the flews. Close the dog’s mouth and gently blow on the nose to encourage the pet to swallow.
Read more tips on how to give a dog a pill without a fuzz and dog first aid at Sarah’s Dogs.
