How Do I Get My Dog To Take Medication?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The easiest way to give your dog a liquid is to

use a treat specially designed for this purpose or mix it with some canned food

. To ensure your dog swallows the medication, it is best to hand feed the medicated food or treat, rather than mixing it into a large portion that the dog may not completely consume.

What is the best way to get a dog to take medicine?

The easiest way to give your dog a pill is to

hide the pill in food

. This usually works best if you hide it in a special treat such as a small amount of canned dog food, peanut butter, or cheese. Soft treats are also available that can be used to hide the pill by molding the treat around it (e.g., Pill PocketsTM).

What can I mix my dogs medicine with?

If your pet has been prescribed a powder or liquid, you can try mixing it with a small amount of

peanut butter or “squeeze cheese”

and spread it on top of their paws. Dogs and cats typically don't like anything on their paws, but they tend to love peanut butter or cheese.

How do you give a dog oral medication?

How can I hide the bitter taste in my dog's medicine?


Gel Caps

– Gel caps [of various sizes] are empty capsules with a flavored coating on the outside. Simply open the capsule and fill it with one or more of your pet's . Mushy foods – Food items like banana, peanut butter, or white bread can be good choices for the food motivated pet.

Can I crush my dogs antibiotics?


Don't crush up your dog's tablets or pills

and add them to your dog's food without asking your vet first. This is a “grrreat” way to distract your dog. Buy some pill-pocket treats from your local big-box pet store and prepare to play! Hide the pill in one of the treats and head outside.

What is a dog pill pusher?

How do you give a dog a pill with peanut butter?

Can you dissolve pills in water for dogs?

Talk to your vet about giving the pills with water.

Some medications will lose their efficacy when opened, crushed and/or dissolved in water, while others are fine using this method

. One tried-and-true tip is to use a syringe or dropper to squirt some water into the side of your dog's mouth after giving them a pill.

Can I crush my dogs pills in water?

Some medications come in liquid form. However, if your dog's medicine comes in a pill and your dog won't take it, your pharmacist may be able to make a liquid suspension that you can give your dog instead.

You may also be able to crush up a pill and mix it with about 1 fl oz (30 mL) of water

.

Is cheese bad for dogs?

While

cheese can be safe to feed to your dog

, there are some things to remember. Cheese is high in fat, and feeding too much to your dog regularly can cause weight gain and lead to obesity. Even more problematic, it could lead to pancreatitis, a serious and potentially fatal illness in dogs.

Can dogs smell medicine in their food?

How do they know it's in the food?

Dogs can smell the medication

. Place the medication in a small amount of wet food, if they like it. Use a bit of peanut butter or cream cheese to disguise the pill.

Can I mix antibiotics with dog food?


Most of the typical medications given after orthopedic surgery (i.e. antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and other pain medications) are recommended to be given with food

, but it's always good to make sure.

How do you use a pill gun on a small dog?

Using a pill gun can be intimidating for some, but it is fast! You can purchase a pill gun at a pet store or at your vet's office. Simply

place the pill in the top area to load it, pull back on the plunger, open your dog's mouth and push the end to release it into the back of their throat

.

What is a pill giver?

The Buster Pill Giver is

a fast and easy way of administering tablets to animals (especially cats!)

. The Buster Pill Giver comes in two varieties: Soft Tip and Regular Tip. The Buster Pill Giver is a fast and easy way of administering tablets to animals (especially cats!).

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.