How to Give Medicine to a Dog Using a Dropper

Administration of medication to a dog with a dropper is easily accomplished following the directions below. Liquid medication is normally reserved for use in small dogs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Dog Medication
• Dog Treats
• Medicine Droppers
• Veterinarian

1. Place your dog in a sitting position. Or, if you have a small dog, place him in your lap; this may help restrict movement.
2. Stand, sit or kneel to the left of your dog.
3. Fill the dropper with the prescribed dose of medication.
4. Grasp the dog's muzzle gently with your left hand, fingers under the lower jaw, thumb on the bridge of the nose.
5. Tilt the nose upward slightly, at an angle of about 30 degrees.
6. Pick up the dropper in your right hand and insert it into the corner of the mouth, between the lips and teeth, on the right side of the dog's muzzle.
7. Gently slide the dropper between the lips and teeth to the back of the cheek pouch.
8. Deposit the medication there by squeezing the dropper bulb.
9. Release your grip on the dog's muzzle slightly to allow him to swallow the medication.

Tips & Warnings

• Practice this procedure with water before using medication.
• Using flavored medication can make this task easier. Ask your veterinarian if flavored medication is available. There are many compounding pharmacies that formulate prescriptions, flavored as requested, for ease of administration.
• Praise and reward your dog when the task is successfully completed.
• Placing the medication in the food or water is not advised unless you can disguise it in a single bite.
• With Braceocephalic breeds (dogs with short muzzles, such as bulldogs), hold your hand under the lower jaw but do not place your thumb over the nose.
• Use caution when grasping the muzzle, as this may cause your dog to bite you.
• Avoid pinching the dog's lips or grasping the nose tightly, as this is painful or may restrict breathing, causing the dog to panic or snap at you.
• Use only medication that has been prescribed for this dog, for this specific medical condition.
• Ask your veterinarian about handling the drug safely if you are pregnant.
• Check the expiration date on the prescription to be certain it is current.