10 Tips to Get Your Dog to Take Medicine

If you’ve ever experienced a dog rejecting his or her medicine, you know how challenging it can be to try to get them to swallow a pill, especially if it doesn’t have an appealing flavor to the dog.

Refusing to take pills or medication is one of the most common dilemmas veterinarians encounter with their patients. Some dogs are extremely stubborn and refuse to take pills, but they are also smart and know when they are being tricked. It takes cooperation from dog parents, dogs themselves and veterinarians to properly treat and help them take their medication.

Here are 10 tips for getting your dog to take his or her medication.

Tip #1. Insert in soft, sticky food

The first “trick” to try when giving your dog a pill is to insert it in soft food, such as a piece of meat or peanut butter. Try using a food you know your dog relishes. Many dogs will scarf the food down and not even notice the pill inside. However, some dogs are picky and will refuse to eat it. Or they will eat around the pill and spit the pill back out.

Tip #2. Try pill pockets

Pill pockets are made for hiding pills to help your dog take medicine. They have a strong odor and flavor to mask the smell and taste of the medicine. One common pill pocket suggested by veterinarians is Greenies Pill Pockets. Tomlyn’s Pill Masker is another way to hide dog treats with good results most of the time.

Tip #3. Use friendly canine competition

If you have more than one dog in the house, try gathering them together and giving them treats at the same time. Most dogs will eat faster without too much thought in the presence of another dog. This is NOT a good method if your dog is food aggressive.

Tip #4. Fake them out

Sometimes dogs will unwittingly accept a pill if you give them some treats without a pill along with one that does. Randomly give treats without the pill inserted and then sneak in a treat containing the medication.

Tip #5. Pill them

This is the method used in a veterinary hospital. The idea is to open the dog’s mouth and place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible. Then, quickly close the dog’s mouth and raise their head up. You can help the swallowing process by gently massaging the neck area while the head is raised or blow in their face. Veterinarians also use pill dispensers, which are long tools for easily placing the pill in the back of the throat.

Tip #6. Insert medication into a tasteless capsule

Sometimes dogs don’t like the taste of the medication. If you put it into an empty gelatin  capsule the initial flavor and smell may be masked, making it easier to slip into a treat or soft food.

Tip #7. Play a game

Try turning medication time into a game by tossing a treat infused with medication to the floor when preparing a meal or playing hide and seek with treats and slipping a medication-infused treat into the game. Some dogs enjoy the game so much they don’t notice the medication. A variation on this method is to distract your dog, such as taking them for a walk or riding in the car before giving the treat infused with medication.

Tip #8. Place on paws

Some dogs, especially boxer breeds, tend to be focused on their paws. If you place the treat with medication inserted in it on a paw, they are likely to want to eat it (a boxer may want to play with it a bit first).

#9. Consider injectable medications

More and more pet medications are being manufactured as injectables. An example of this is Covenia, an injectable antibiotic. Convenia is released slowing into a pet’s body for two weeks after the injection. This avoids the process of having to give daily pills. Ask your veterinarian if your dog is a candidate for this type of medication.

#10. Ask about medication compounds

Medications can be specifically designed for your dog in a form he or she will tolerate better. For example, there are fish-flavored liquids or medications that can be applied to and absorbed through the skin. Ask your veterinarian if this form of medication is an option if you’re having a hard time getting your dog to take medication.

Giving your dog medication may be a major challenge. Keep in mind it isn’t your fault if your dog is fussy about pill-taking. Hopefully, this article gives you some ideas you can use to successfully administer medication to your dog. You are a crucial participant in a successful treatment plan for your dog; his or her health and wellbeing depends on your patience and dedication to consistently give your dog their medication.

Have you experienced challenges giving your dog medication? What methods have worked for you? Please share in the comments below…