How do you give dogs pills?

Poor pup! With young dogs that just need meds for a short term ailment, like antibiotics for an infection or pain meds after a minor procedure, I have no problem prying open their jaws and shoving a pill down their throat. But I have a soft spot for older dogs and, if it's a pill they'll take for the rest of their life, can become a bad experience for both of you.

What I've found works is feeding treats rapidly. I first get excited and praise them in a higher pitched voice, then begin to feed pieces of something tasty, such as a hot dog or a piece of cheese - something they don't want to spit out! The first two or three pieces should have nothing, but the third treat should have the pill in it, and be fed like a normal treat. It should be followed immediately by another piece of food without medication in it. The dog will be less inclined to spit it out and will most likely swallow, even if they happen to bite down on the pill, because it knows the food is coming fast. This works best with dogs that are food hogs. If not, try giving it before a meal so she is more hungry.

This has worked well for me, and far less costly than Pill Pockets. The dog doesn't suspect a thing and I don't get the stink eye. :)

If the oills can be crushed then you can hide them better.Check with the vet before doing this however as some pills will not work effectively crushed.My guy will eat off of a spoon so we use pudding.vanilla yogourt, wet dog food,fruit dip,applesauce,pureed pumkin & creamy salad dressings. It's soft enough to coat the pill without them separating it.You can rotate the items to prevent her from becoming finicky.Use only a small spoonfull & use it like you would a treat.Watch the ingredients closely & make sure you avoid things with artificial sweeteners,chocolate & all the other deadly people foods.You don't have to use a spoon,you can use a plate or bowl.If they have to lick it up,their less likely to pick out the pill.

Crush the pills and mix into a tablespoon or two of canned food (the whole chunk kind; I've heard Newman's Own is quite pudding-like in texture). I would recommend getting the ones in the smaller, cat-sized tins so you may be able to finish before it expires (about 3 days after opening). You can also use peanut butter instead, which dogs seem to love.

There are alot of things you could do. There are other brands than pill pockets that are less expensive. but alot of people myself included just coat it in peanut butter or oatmeal. You can also buy kong stuffers. Ordinarily it goes in the kong, but it works great for pills to. Its quick and easy. If all else fails and its a capsule..take the powder out and put it in the food. If its not a capsule, crush it and put it in the food. If none of these work you can pill a dog...which means you actually place it in the back of the mouth, close the dogs mouth and wait for them so swallow. I worked at an animal hospital and we used all these methods...it just depends on the dogs preference.

My dog also hates pills she will pull them out of her food and treats. I tend to use peanut butter and cream cheese too. Some times she wont take it from my hand I think she suspects something is up. If she wont then I usually just place it in her empty food bowl and walk away and within a few minuets she always eats it. Other than that maybe inside a warm hotdog?

I don't like to use salted meats or salty cheese slices. I simply stick the pill in a small bit of peanut butter on the end of a spoon. My dog thinks it's so cool to lick a spoon that I use, that she doesn't care what's on it.

You could pop them down her throat past her tongue which will guarantee it goes down. I had to do that with my old shepherd, then discovered I could easily trick him with a 1/4 peanut butter sandwich. He was so excited to have human food he didn't care what was in it.

Perhaps your dog is too used to having people food?

Wow... All these answers and not one person said what I have always done, and what they do at the vet. have you dog sit. Open its mouth, Place the pill and far back on it tongue as you can, then quickly hold the dogs mouth shut. You dog should swallow on it's on within 10-15 sec. You can always help them out with this by gently rubbing it's throat. It has always worked for me. No about of treat or food has ever got any of my dogs, or family's dogs to swallow a pill.

Okay wrap the pill in ham or cheese like you've been doing. As SOON as it goes into the dog's mouth, follow it up with another piece of ham or cheese. That should help.

How is she about eating her kibble with them in it? Trying mixing a little plain pumpkin to kind of mask the pills. Are they tablets or caplets? The caplets I would open and sprinkle with the food.

How about some soft white bread you can mush around them? Maybe space them out more too. Have you tried hot dogs? Cut them up in little chunks and shove a pill in most dogs gulp them?

What i do is i make a peanut butter sandwich. I put a pill inside and i let him eat the part with the pill. once she has it in her mouth rub her throat. This will hopefully make her swallow. Hope i could help!