How to Give Your Dog or Cat a Pill

Friends and Neighbors,

For many pets, pill pockets may be the answer. These small, moist treats have an opening, or pocket, for a pill. Many pets gobble pill pockets without hesitation, but offer your pet an empty one before you actually need to use it to make sure they’ll find it acceptable. When it’s time to medicate, place the pill inside, pinch the top closed (try not to use the same hand that handled the pill so as not to transfer the smell of the medication to the treat,) and offer it to your pet. Available in several favorite flavors, aromatic pill pockets help mask “medicinal” scents pets may pick up.

Pill pockets not good enough for your pet? You may need to manually give them a pill. Here are the steps to safely pill a dog:

• Before you being, use lots of positive reinforcement to encourage your pup to be willing. Do not use force on your dog.

• When you’re dog is calm, gently grasp their muzzle with your non-dominant hand, placing thumb and forefinger over the pup’s upper lips.

• Hold the pill in the fingers of your dominant hand.

• Lift their head up toward the ceiling. Your dog should slightly open their mouth.

• Place the pill on your dog’s tongue as far back into the throat as you can reach.

• Quickly withdraw your hand as you close your dog’s jaws.

• Rub your dog’s throat, encouraging them to swallow and look for signs of swallowing.

• Give a small amount of water from a curved-tip syringe to help them swallow it.

Here is a demonstration on a feline patient:

We hope you find these tips useful and that they help keep your pets happy and healthy. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or to schedule a visit. We’re always here for you and your pets!

Sincerely,

The BLVD Team