by Tammy Wynn

Created on: January 29, 2007   Last Updated: April 30, 2007

The method needed to give your dog medication, depends on the type of dog and the training the dog has received and the type of medication.

Pills:
Method 1: Open your dogs mouth and hold the bottom jaw. Place the pill as far back as you can without gagging the dog. Close the dogs mouth and hold it closed until the dog swallows.

Method 2: Place the pill in meat, a biscuit, or some other human food type treat. In rapid succession, give the dog a treat with no pill, a treat with the pill and a treat with no pill.

Method 3: Mix the pill in with canned food and feed the dog. This method may not work very well. Many times the dog will leave the pill in the bottom of the bowl.

Method 4: This will work okay for smaller dogs, but not larger ones. Get a pill plunger from your vet. Load the pill into the plunger. Open the dogs mouth just enough to get the plunger in, and squeeze. The dog will automatically swallow.

Liquids:
Method 1: Mix the liquid in canned food and let the dog eat it. Make sure you use a really thick, rich canned food. However, if the liquid has a bad odor, the dog may not be cooperative and may not eat the food.

Method 2: Stand behind the dog, and grasp the dogs bottom jaw and pull the dogs head up to where it is looking at the ceiling. Place the syringe in the dogs mouth and give him the medicine. If it is a lot of medicine, make sure to go slow enough that the dog has time to swallow. Do not let your dog go too soon, or it will just shake its head and sling the liquid everywhere.

Method 3: Use biscuits or bread and hot dogs or some other tasty meat snack. Biscuits are more substantial than bread. Inject a small amount of liquid into the bread. Do not over power the bread with the liquid, or the dog will not want to eat it. Feed the dog a meat snack followed by a biscuit. Do this until the dog has taken all the medication. You can also spread a little butter or bacon grease on top of the biscuit instead of feeding a meat snack.

Remember to keep in mind the type of dog, temperament and training before you stick your hand in the dogs mouth. Most well trained dogs will not bite, but if your dog is sick or hurting, he may react quite differently than when he is well. As always, if you have concerns or problems ask your vet.

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