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Getting Your Pet to Take Her MedicineYour dog or cat doesn’t understand the importance of taking her medicine. She may feel annoyed or even frightened at the prospect of swallowing a pill. If you handle things correctly, administering pet medicine need not be a traumatic experience for either of you. A little patience and know how can help medication time go smoothly.
Disguising it with Food
If your pet’s medication can be given with food, you are in luck. Both dogs and cats can take pills hidden in food. Your pet will be much happier to see an appealing treat coming his way than a hard, tasteless pill. He may even come to look forward to medication time. It is important to remember not to bury the medicine in an entire meal because if he doesn’t finish it all, he may not have gotten all his medicine. A small treat that can be finished in a gulp or two is the best way to assure that your dog or cat is getting what he needs.
Most dogs will take a pill in cheese. Choose one with a texture soft enough to hide the pill, but not so soft that you can’t pick it up. For larger pills, some peanut butter, cream cheese, canned cheese spread or butter can hold a pill wrapped in a firmer piece of cheese or soft bread. Most dogs like liverwurst, and its soft yet firm texture makes it another excellent choice at medication time.
Cats often enjoy their pills buried in tuna, cream cheese, canned cheese spread, butter, or canned cat food. Many cats also enjoy liverwurst, so this is a great option too. Try giving a bit of the treat without the pill first so your pet will not be suspicious. After he has happily accepted the food, then offer some more with his hidden pill.
Exploring Other Options
If your pet’s medicine can not be given with food, or if she refuses to take it that way, don’t despair. You can still get her medicine to her. Remember to stay calm and cheerful so that your pet does not pick up any stress.
For a cat, consider wrapping him in a blanket with only his head visible so that he cannot fight you. Hold the pill between your thumb and index finger. With your other hand grasp the cat’s head firmly and gently with your thumb on one side of the jaw hinge and your fingers on the other. Tilt his head back so he has a view of the ceiling. When his lower jaw drops, place a free finger between the bottom canine teeth and push down. Very quickly, place the pill in the back of his mouth, but not too far or he may gag. Close his mouth and gently rub or blow on his nose to stimulate swallowing.
To give a pill to a dog, be sure your dog’s hind end is up against something such as a wall so she cannot back away from you. Hold the pill between your thumb and index finger. With your other hand, gently grasp her muzzle from above. Squeeze behind the upper canine teeth and tilt her head back. When her jaw drops, hold it open by pushing down with a finger between the lower canine teeth, and quickly place the pill in the back of the mouth, but not far enough back to cause a gagging response. Hold her mouth closed and gently rub or blow on her nose.
Although giving your pet her medication can be a bit tricky, it is important to be persistent in order to make sure the medicine is taken. After you and your pet establish a regular routine, it will no longer be as much of an issue or be as difficult as it first was. Stick with your medicine routine and you and your pet will ultimately be much happier.
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