How to Give a Dog a Pill

No one likes taking medicine; even humans have to sing a song about making the whole process sweeter. Dogs are the same way, so here are some tips for helping your dog take his medicine. 

Hide it in a treat 

This is probably the tastiest solution for a dog that won’t take pills. Some treats, like Milk-Bone^® Pill Pouches, have a special slot in them, perfect for disguising medicine. If you want to go the DIY route and use human food, double check with your vet that it’s doggy-safe. 

Treat in threes 

If you want to help your furry friend take her meds, you’re going to have to be a little sneaky. First give him the treat without a pill in it. After that, give him the treat with the pill inside. When he’s eaten that, give him another pill-free treat as a reward. Check with your vet before treating this way, and work with her to help determine your pup’s healthy daily treat allowance. 

Use a pill dropper 

A pill dropper is a fancy contraption that looks like a syringe that drops a pill through a tube into your dog’s mouth. You can buy a pill dropper at your vet’s office or local pet store. Once you do, load it with a pill, then gently open your dog’s mouth. Insert the dropper into his mouth and gently and carefully drop in the pill. 

Ask for a compound 

Sometimes vet pharmacists can compound a medicine so it’s in a more palatable form, like a treat or a liquid. Ask your vet if she knows a place nearby that can compound your pup’s meds into something tasty. 

These tips can help make doggy sick days less stressful. Here’s hoping your furry friend feels better soon!