How To Give Your Older Pup A Pill With A Minimum of Fuss

As we age, it often becomes necessary to use medication. The same is true for our dogs who suffer a wide range of health problems as they age. Giving medication to your pup, particularly in pill form, can sometimes be a challenge so let’s take a look at a few different approaches you can try.

In addition to requiring medication, dogs don’t move as quickly when they have health problems. They may get arthritis or even cancer. They may require mobility aids such as a pet ramp to get in to and out of vehicles and on and off of the couch or bed.

 

Hot Dog

By far the simplest method for giving an older dog a pill is to simply embed it in food. According to Megan Davidson of Animaroo,

the best approach involves hot dogs. You cut off roughly a one inch section of the hot dog and just push the pill into it through the cut end. Dogs love meat and you can expect yours to practically inhale the hot dog when it is offered to them along with the pill.

 

Crush It

Some dogs are a bit more finicky when it comes to their food. If they are not taking the pill in the hot dog because of either the smell or they just refuse to eat it, a modified approach involves crushing the pill and putting it into a sauce or liquid you know they already love.

To do this, take the pill and crush it in a small bowl. You can use a grinding bowl if you have one. If you do not, try mashing the pill in a small bowl with the back of a spoon.  Once the pill has been turned into the consistency of dirt, just take the top of an old pickle jar and mix it in with the liquid of your choice. Hold it in front of your pup and they should lick it and consume the medication.

 

Not Hungry

Some older dogs lose interest in eating, which may well be the very reason they need medication. If this is the situation with your pup, you need to learn the “back of the throat” method. It can be a bit awkward and uncomfortable at first, but becomes easy once you and the pup get used to it.

Your goal with this technique is to place the pill as far back in the mouth of the dog as possible. To do this, reach in from the side where the upper and lower jaws come together. Place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible. Now hold their mouth shut by wrapping your fingers around their nose and mouth. Don’t squeeze! Just use enough pressure to keep them from opening their mouth and spitting the pill out. With your other hand, lightly rub the underside of their mouth where it intersects with their neck. This will stimulate swallowing.

If there is a weakness to this approach, it is that it is difficult to know if your ball of fur has actually swallowed the pill. I suggest holding their mouth closed for 20 seconds unless you see a distinct swallowing motion. Then let go and see what they do. If they spit the pill out, you need to try again. If they lick their chops, the pill has been swallowed.

 

Final Thoughts

Teaching a dog to take medication is much like any other dog training.

The key is to figure out the best approach for your pup and then stick with it. Once a routine is established, giving your older dog medication should be a snap.

 

 Many thanks to our guest blogger for the helpful tips about giving dogs medication. Do you have any tips to add? Please enter them in the comments below.

For more information contact us at Handi-Ramp at 800-876-RAMP (7267).