If you have ever had to give a puppy medication, you know it can be quite a feat to accomplish. However, there are a few tricks that can help you get that pill into Fido without having to call in the National Guard for help.
It is important to realize that not all puppies can easily swallow pills. Puppies are like people in this respect. Some folks can swallow several pills at a time without the benefit of water to wash them down. Others gag at the thought of taking a pill, so be patient and kind to the puppy that doesn’t eagerly gulp the medicine down.
The first step it to make sure you are relaxed before trying to give the medication. Puppies can detect your emotions. If you go into the situation with dread, stress and tension, the puppy is likely to follow your lead and quickly become stressed out.
Whenever possible, turn the medication experience into a positive one. Don’t shove medicine down the puppy’s throat and then let him or her run away. Follow the medication with lots of praise and treats, if appropriate.
Liquid medicine can be easier to administer because it is often flavored with something that the puppy likes. However, if puppy doesn’t like it, get ready. I’ve seen Pepto Bismal shoot across the room as though it was fired from the puppy’s mouth with a rocket launcher.
Try using a syringe to administer liquid medications. Gently insert the syringe that has been filled with the medicine into the side of the puppy’s mouth. When you know the syringe is in the mouth, gently squeeze the syringe. You may need to apply gentle pressure to hold the puppy’s mouth shut until he or she swallows.
Pills can be a little trickier to administer, but the job can be made easier with certain foods such as cheese, hot dogs or liverwurst. Try taking a small piece of a hot dog and hollow out a hole into which you place the pill. Hopefully, Fido will be so infatuated with the hot dog that he or she won’t even notice there is a pill inside of it.
If using liverwurst, simply cover the pill with the meat and turn it into a meatball.
You can also trying disguising the pill by pushing it into a chunk of cheese.
In addition, there are pill covers available in pet stores. These are usually soft, moldable pieces of food that can be wrapped around the medicine.
Sometimes, it won’t matter what you try. Puppy isn’t going to take it. When that happens, try gently opening the puppy’s mouth. Place the pill in the rear of the mouth. Close the puppy’s mouth and gently hold it closed until you feel the puppy swallow. You can also try rubbing the puppy’s throat if he or she is stubborn about swallowing.
Follow the medicine giving experience with a treat if possible. At the very least, offer lots of praise and petting.
Puppies can be too smart for their own good sometimes. If you have a puppy that runs when he or she sees the pill bottle, try giving the medicine to the dog in different rooms of the house. Store the medicine in different locations so the puppy doesn’t catch on to the medicine routine.
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