How to Pill a Dog

Pilling (giving oral medications to) a dog is one job that causes some dog owners to shudder. Pet owners are afraid of being bitten, of stressing their pet, or of causing the dog to choke. There are some simple steps to get the medicine to go down easily and, through practice, you will develop confidence and the dog will become used to the procedure.

Things You'll Need

• Dog
• Oral medication
• Cheese
• Peanut butter
• Canned dog food
• Water

Instructions

1. For medicines that can be taken with food, offer your dog a bit of soft cheese, such as American cheese, to see if he likes the flavor. If he gobbles up the cheese, try it again, but this time put the pill inside the cheese. (If you are using sliced American cheese, wrap a length of it around the pill and press it into a ball in your hand.) Most dogs will swallow it whole and your problem is solved. However, some picky eaters will detect the pill and spit it out after swallowing the cheese. If the vet says you can crush the pill, place the pill in a teaspoon and press it with the back of a second teaspoon. Then you can distribute the medicine between layers of cheese and offer it.

2. Offer your dog a bit of peanut butter. Most dogs love the flavor and will be licking their chops for more. If this is the case with your dog, spoon out about a tablespoon of peanut butter and bury the pill inside the mound of peanut butter. Put the "treat" on your finger and offer it to your dog. Most dogs will swallow it in one gulp and lick the remainder off your finger. If your vet says it's OK to crush the pill, you can mix it into the peanut butter and there is no detectable "lump" of medicine.

3. Make a "meatball" out of some favorite canned dog food. Squash the meat around the pill (if it is OK to take with food) and see if the dog will swallow it all. If he refuses, or spits out the pill, try making a game out of it and toss him the treat.

4. Hold the dog's upper jaw with your left thumb and index finger (if you are right-handed), tilting the head back and folding the gums over the upper teeth. With the right hand, hold the pill between the thumb and index finger. With the right middle finger, press down on the lower incisors (front teeth) to open the mouth. At the same time put your left thumb on the roof of the mouth. By gently pressing up on the roof of the mouth and down on the lower incisors, you will hold the mouth open.

5. Drop the pill as far back on the tongue as possible, then quickly close the dog's mouth and rub its throat in a downward motion. This stimulates its swallowing reflex. Blowing on a dog's nose can also cause it to swallow. Offering your pet a drink of water afterwards is a good idea to help wash the pill down its throat.

Tips & Warnings

• Talk calmly and quietly to your dog as you pill him. Praise your pet after he takes the medicine.

• If you make it a pleasant event, it will never become a battle to give him his medicine.

• Relax when pilling your dog, as dogs can sense your anxiety.

• If a dog does not feel well, or is in pain, he may be more inclined to nip you, so do be careful.