Dog - Administration of Tablets

Many drugs in tablet form, licensed for use in dogs, have been specially formulated with palatability in mind. However, if the dog is at all suspicious he is unlikely to eat the tablet voluntarily irrespective of how pleasant it may taste.

Can I train my dog to take tablets?

Yes, it is good foresight to train your puppy to accept tablets pushed down the throat. This is a useful technique to practice with your puppy using something pleasant like a small piece of ham or cheese. If your puppy learns that when you open his mouth and put something inside he gains something worthwhile then he will be more accepting of the tablets when the time comes to pop those down his throat.

My dog has never had a tablet - how can I get them into him?

Try subterfuge to start! Most dogs readily accept a range of soft centred or hollow treats even if they have never had them. Try giving him one or two and then give one with the tablet pushed into the centre. It often helps if you train him to take the treats to a command such as 'take it'. As with any command you need to start by using the words take it when your dog is actually taking the treat from your hand. Once an association has been made between the word and the action you can use the words 'take it' to induce the behaviour. It can help to speak in a stimulating tone of voice, while avoiding increasing arousal to the point where your dog becomes overexcited and out of control. The use of the 'take it' command should be practiced as a game using a variety of treats and need only take a few minutes. Making tasks like this into a game encourages your dog to have a positive expectation of the interaction and makes him less suspicious when the time comes to give a tablet.

If your dog does not respond to the 'take it' command or you need to administer medication immediately and do not have time for going through this training process then you may have to push the tablets down the throat.

You say push the tablets down the throat. How do I do this?

Remember that dogs quickly learn when it is tablet time and will vanish from sight if given the opportunity. In order to avoid this you need to ensure that your dog does not learn to recognise prepartory signs that medication is on its way so remember to open the pill bottle or packet out of sight of your pet and not begin the interaction until you are completely ready to follow it through to its conclusion.

If possible try to get someone to help you to hold your dog. Depending on your dog’s size you may find it more comfortable supporting him on your lap if small, or holding him between your knees if larger. It is best to use the minimum amount of restraint necessary but be decisive about your interaction and ensure that your dog is not likely to be able to break free part way through the procedure. Most people find it easier to approach from the side or behind when giving tablets rather than from directly in front of the dog.

Place one hand across the muzzle and tip the head back so the nose points to the ceiling. This will cause the lower jaw to drop a little bit and allow you to insert a forefinger and the thumb gently into the space behind the canine teeth or fangs. It helps if you slide your thumb or finger onto the roof of your dog’s mouth and press gently. This pressure helps to stop him from closing his mouth especially when his head is tipped back in this way. Provided you have sufficient strength and dexterity in your wrist to be able to cope with your dog’s head movement, this strategy is usually effective, but must not be used in dogs with sore necks or mouths. If in doubt seek professional assistance.

It is most important that the gentle pressure on the hard palate is not reduced otherwise the mouth will clamp shut.

With the tablet in the other hand it can then be pushed as far down the throat as possible and if the jaws are then quickly closed and the throat stroked the tablet is usually swallowed. Once the tablet has disappeared you can repeat the process, this time putting a small piece of ham or cheese into the mouth in order to reaffirm the dog’s positive expectation in relation to this form of handling.

I understand there are certain pill pushers. Can these be used?

There are certain devices on the market to help in getting tablets into dogs. Some of these are reasonably effective but none work 100%, in our experience and used incorrerctly they may damage the soft tissues of the back of the mouth (pharynx). However, it may be worth trying. If you would like to discuss this further please contact us.

Can I disguise the tablets with anything?

Yes, many people find that wrapping the tablet in butter, coating it in some favourite food or titbit or using hollow treats and placing the tablet inside as already described, will often do the trick. It should be remembered that there are certain tablets that you may have been directed to give on an empty stomach and care must be exercised then in the amount of food or titbits allocated although one or two sweets in order to get the medication into your dog is usually preferable to no medication!

I get the tablet into the throat and follow all the instructions but frequently find it on the floor sometime later?

Even the most experienced of us have had this happen. If you are not sure that the tablet has been swallowed, dripping a little water into the mouth with the aid of a syringe usually ensures that it is swallowed. Alternatively try closing over your dog’s nose with one hand and then stroking the throat with the other. Once you are sure that the tablet has been swallowed you can open your dog’s mouth and deliver a small piece of ham or cheese to ensure that the positive associations with having the mouth opened are maintained.