How to Give a Dog a Pill: Vet-Approved Tricks That Actually Work!

Hi, I’m here today to tell you, probably one of the most common medical procedures people do at home, which is how to give a dog a pill. Your dog may take medication at some point in their life to help them feel better, heal from an illness or surgery, or deal with anxiety. In reality, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all method when it comes to administering medication to dogs. While some dogs will spit out the pill fifty times before you can get them to consume it, others are relatively easy to pill. So, how can you provide a medication to a dog and ensure that they consume it?

There isn’t just one right response. We’re going to review four different methods for administering medication to your dog, as each approach works best for a specific puppy. Sort them out until you identify the one that works best for your special dog.

Are you thinking about how to give your dog a pill? We’ve got you covered.

How do I give a pill directly into my dog’s mouth?

Now people always ask me if I can put a dog’s pill into food or a treat, and the answer is generally no, because they have a really good sense of smell and they’re probably going to spit out the pill. Bandy couch, when you’re not looking, might as well just toss it in the garden. If you’re going to do that. The only way to be sure that your dog’s getting his medicine is to put the pill directly in his mouth, on the back, third of his tongue, right in the back of the mouth, and just point his chin up at the ceiling for a count of three. 

Now, the way that we do this is we try to make it nice and fun for the dog. While we can’t put the treat into food, what we can do is take a pill and swipe it through the dog’s favorite wet food or a bit of sour cream or yogurt or even peanut butter, just to give it a bit of flavor and then pop it in their mouth which makes it more of a treat than a medical procedure and kind of makes things a bit easier on everyone involved. The other thing I recommend doing is giving pills right before you put the dog’s dinner down. So if you give me medication twice a day, break up their meal into two parts you put it down the dog dish, give them a pill, and then let them have their meal. 

For easy understanding, I give you step by step 

1. If you are right-handed, use your left hand to hold the dog’s head from the top.  Hold the dog’s upper jaw between your thumb and index finger if its nose is long.
2. The dog should tilt its head back.  Because of their powerful jaw muscles, dogs typically have a lower jaw that does not open up enough to accommodate a tablet or capsule over the base of the tongue.
3. As you open your mouth, gently fold your upper lip over your teeth.  The dog will bite her lip rather than your hand if it bites down while your hand is in its mouth.  Put your thumb on the dog’s mouth’s roof.  Although it is not required, folding the dog’s lip over its teeth lessens the likelihood that you may be bitten.
4. In your right hand, place the pill or capsule between your thumb and index finger.  Pull open the lower jaw with the middle finger of your right hand.  Don’t place your middle finger over the sharp canine teeth or little incisor teeth.
5. To help the dog swallow, drop the tablet or capsule as far back over the tongue as you can, then quickly close the mouth and blow on the dog’s nose.
6. The dog will spit out the pill if you can’t get it over the base of the tongue far enough. To push the pill over the back of your tongue, you might need to use your thumb and index finger. You have to move quickly to keep from getting bitten because your fingers will be in the dog’s mouth.

To stimulate swallowing, close your mouth and give the dog a gentle pat on the neck or a sharp nose blow.

How to give a dog a pill without food

There are many options that I have already explained in this section about how you can give a pill to your dog. If you want to give your pet a pill without using food, then the best way is to give it directly into their mouth. I have already shared the full step-by-step process for how to do that, so you can follow those instructions. 

You can also try other methods, like using a special treat to hide the pill or using a pill pocket. There are many ways, and I’m sure you may have already tried some of them. But if your dog still refuses to take the pill even after trying all these tricks, then it’s a good idea to talk to your vet for more help and advice.

How do I give my dog liquid medications?

Putting liquid medication in a special treat designed for this purpose is the simplest way to provide it to your dog.  Your dog won’t notice the medication because these treats are soft and can retain the liquid within.  

Combining the liquid medication with a tiny bit of moist food is another simple method.  To ensure your dog consumes it all, mix it thoroughly and then hand-feed it to them.  When your dog enjoys the meal and isn’t aware that it contains medication, this works best.  To ensure that your dog receives the entire dosage of the medication, always use a modest amount of food.

1. Use a syringe: Most liquid medicine comes with a syringe. Fill it with the right amount of medicine. you can deliver the medication directly into your dog’s mouth with a syringe. It is easiest to do this with another person, so one of you can hold the dog

2. Keep your dog steady: Gently hold your dog still. You may need someone to help you.

3. Aim for the cheek: Do not squirt the medicine straight into the throat. Instead, gently place the syringe into the side of your dog’s mouth, between the cheek and teeth.

4. Give the medicine slowly: Slowly press the syringe to let the medicine come out. Give your dog time to swallow.

5. Praise your dog: After giving the medicine, give your dog a pat or kind words to make the experience positive.

Dos and don’ts for effectively administering dog medication

Do’s

1. Do stay calm and patient. Dogs can sense when you’re stressed. Staying calm helps keep your dog relaxed too.

2. Do follow the vet’s instructions exactly. Some medicines must be given with food, some without. Always follow what your vet says.

3. Do check that your dog actually swallowed the medicine. Sometimes dogs hide pills in their cheeks or spit them out when you’re not looking.

4. Do use pill pockets or tasty treats if allowed. These can help hide the taste and smell of pills, making it easier for your dog to accept the medicine.

5. Do reward your dog afterward. A small treat, praise, or a gentle pet can turn medicine time into a positive experience.

Don’ts

1. Don’t crush or mix pills with food unless your vet says it’s okay. Some medicines can become less effective or even harmful when crushed.

2. Don’t force your dog in a rough way. Being too aggressive can scare your dog and make future doses even harder to give.

3. Don’t skip doses or stop early. Even if your dog seems better, always finish the full course unless the vet tells you to stop.

4. Don’t trick your dog over and over. If your dog catches on to your method, they may stop trusting treats or food you give them.

5. Don’t give your dog human medicine. Many human drugs are dangerous for dogs, even in small amounts.

Concluson

Whether it’s a pill or liquid, always try to make it a calm and positive experience for your dog. Your love, care, and patience will help your dog feel better faster. There are many different ways to give medicine to your dog, so don’t get confused or rush the process. Take your time and choose the best method that works for your pet. If the situation feels urgent or your dog is not taking the medicine at all, it’s best to visit your vet and ask for help. Never try to handle serious problems on your own. It’s always better to have someone with experience guide you and make sure everything is done safely.