Dogs are often reluctant to take the pills that the vet has prescribed. Whether it's the smell, the taste or the texture, it doesn't take long for dogs to identify the foreign item you're trying to offer them and try to spit it out or avoid eating it at all costs.
You should know that this is a totally normal attitude and that you should deal with it in a positive and resourceful way to make sure your best friend gets the shots he needs
In this article you our site we will give you some tricks to give pills to dogs, varied and different ideas so that you achieve in one once and for all take the pills. Discover all our ideas below:
1. Pretend you're going to give him a prize
The first thing we will try is to offer the pill to be taken along with a treat. You can practice obedience, tricks or simply reward your dog randomly. Then, you should offer the pill together with one of thedog snacks you are going to give him.
You can also practice seeding, that is, scattering dog food or treats on the ground. With a bit of luck, it will think that it is another snack and will eat it without any problem. However, some dogs tend to reject it within a second of sniffing it. It will depend on the specific dog.
two. Hide the pill in the food
If you have already tried to offer him a pill directly and he has not accepted it, you can start by hiding the pill between his usual food, either feed or wet food, although generally wet food tends to give better results due to its attractive smell and taste. With any luck he will eat it quickly without noticing the presence of the pill.
3. Hide the pill better
Sometimes we can see how the dog eats all the food and leaves the tablet intact in the food bowl. Don't despair. If this is what has happened to you, you should proceed to hide it better among the food.
You can use bits of frankfurt, cheese, York ham and even a mini-hamburger prepared exclusively for him. The idea is to make it such an irresistible and tasty food for him that he doesn't have time to investigate what it contains.
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4. Crush the pill
If none of the above seems to work, you can try completely crushing the pill until it becomes a powder Then you should mix it with wet food or prepare a recipe yourself in which you add the pill. Making some homemade meatballs or croquettes can be an excellent option. Of course, remember not to add condiments of any kind.
5. Help yourself with a syringe without a tip
If none of the above has worked and your dog continues to reject any food that has touched the pill, he has to use the last of the tricks to give pills to dogs: the syringe. All you need to do is go to a pharmacy or use a syringe that you have at home, yes, you will have to remove the tip.
Ideally, crush the pill as in the previous case and mix it with a small amount of water that you will aspirate with the syringe. You can also disassemble the syringe and add the pill powder directly so you don't waste a bit.
Then, with the help of a family member or friend, you should hold his head and quickly introduce the contents of the syringe near the molarsNext, hold the dog's head up while you massage his neck so that he swallows correctly
Details to consider:
- If you still cannot offer the pill to your dog, consult your veterinarian.
- Especially if you have two dogs at home that must receive the same medication, it will be advisable to offer the doses of the pills at different times of the day. That way, if one of you vomits the pill, you'll know which one it is.
- Avoid stress and discomfort as much as possible, for that reason we recommend various tricks that you can perform subtly and without your best friend noticing.
- Don't hesitate to see a specialist if you notice any side effects in your dog.
