How to Safely Give Your Pet Pills
Administering pills to pets can be a bit of a challenging task, but with the right approach, you can make the process smooth and stress-free for both you and your pet. Here are some tips to help you safely give your pet pills:
1. Consult Your Veterinarian
Dosage and Instructions: Ensure you understand the correct dosage and whether the medication should be given with food or on an empty stomach.
Special Instructions: Some pills cannot be crushed or split, so always check with your vet.
2. Use Treats
Hiding Pills in Food: You can also hide the pill in a small amount of food like cheese, peanut butter, or wet food. Make sure the entire pill is consumed.
If your pet is catching on, try and give a pill free treat first, then the treat with the pill, and then quickly offer another treat. The goal is they will quickly swallow the second treat in order to get the third.
3. Manual Pill Administration
Hold Your Pet Securely: If your pet is small, wrap them in a towel to prevent movement. For larger pets, have someone help hold them still.
Open the Mouth: Gently tilt your pet's head back and open their mouth by pressing down on the lower jaw or gently squeezing behind the upper canine teeth.
Place the Pill: Place the pill as far back on the tongue as possible, then close the mouth immediately.
Encourage Swallowing: Gently stroke your pet’s throat or blow on their nose to encourage swallowing. You can also offer a small amount of water using a syringe (without a needle) to help the pill go down.
4. Be Positive and Calm
Use a Calm Tone: Speak softly and calmly to your pet to reduce their anxiety.
Reward Your Pet: After successfully administering the pill, give your pet a treat or praise to create a positive experience.
5. Observe Your Pet
Check for Compliance: Make sure your pet has swallowed the pill and hasn't spat it out. Watch for a few minutes after administration.
Monitor for Side Effects: Be aware of any adverse reactions and contact your vet if you notice anything unusual.
Additional Tips
Timing: Stick to a consistent schedule for giving medication.
Practice: If you're new to giving pills, practice with a small treat to get comfortable with the technique.
Pill Crushers and Splitters: If your vet approves, these tools can help make pills easier to administer, especially for pets that resist whole pills.
Pet Pillers/Poppers: This tool can be useful to help place the pill at the back of the throat with manual pill administration.
Always consult your veterinarian if you're having trouble administering medication or if you have any concerns about your pet's health.
