I have tried wrapping in cheese and pieces of coldcuts, but Pepper still spits them out. Any suggestions?
2007-04-03 17:50:26 · 18 answers · asked by Pepper's Mommy 5 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have smart dogs as well. They figure out there is a pill in there and spit it right out. Funny they can eat every morsel but that darn pill. I have 2 elderly (spoiled) dogs and one of them is always on meds , sometimes both. I have tried just about everything. I found that the best way to trick them is to put it in something gooey. like peanut butter, or maybe jelly on bread. They are sure its a people treat because they watch me make it for them.(but you can't let them see the pill) They think their really getting something special. I take a 1 pc of bread with peanut butter, enough so they gobble it up without feeling the pill. I put 1 pill on one side and 1 pill on the other, fold the bread like a sandwich. I give them their bites and they don't even know they ate the pill. Sometimes can get away with lunch meat or a hot dog if I use a thick enough piece and really roll it up in there so its totally hidden and tight enough so it doesn't fall out in their mouth. ( there has to be more food than pill but small enough for it to be just one bite) Again,make sure Pepper can't see it and make sure he didn't see you put it in there or take it out of the bottle. If my girls see the bottle its all over! Cheese only works if its really soft like Velveta so I can completly squish it around the pill so its not showing.
This past year I had one of mine really sick. She had major surgery and would not eat, but her medicine was vital to her recovery. I had to sit next to her, put my arm around her and open her mouth by using two fingers, gently hold her head back a bit and put the pill on the back of her tongue, hold her mouth shut for a second (gently but quick and watch her tongue) until she swallowed it. Its kinda tricky depending on how well your Pepper reacts to you doing things to him that he really doesn't like. Also my dog is big, might be different if Pepper is little. Not too pleasant but necessary in my case. But she is really good when it comes to things like that. I'm not sure it would work as well with my other dog.
I would try the peanut butter or hot dog first. Maybe Pepper has a favorite people treat you don't give him very often. You could try that. I only give mine 1 bite with their pill and really make a big deal out of the sandwich being a special treat with them.
You might ask your vet to show you how to do it without food if he is on life saving antibiotics or other meds that are necessary for him to get well if he is sick. Hope this helps.
2007-04-03 19:49:20 · answer #1 · answered by sugarbritches 1 · 12⤊ 1⤋
You can try hiding pills in peanut butter or canned dog food. There are also a great thing called a "Pill Pocket". These look and smell like treats and have one end opened at the end where you stick the pill in them and pinch the end of the pocket and the dog normally never knows. If all else fails....you can always put the pill in your "strong hand" and grab pepper over the muzzle, place your finger behind the canine teeth and lift up while pulling pepper's bottom jaw down with the other hand and slip the pill in to the back part of the tongue. There is also a great thing called a "Pill Popper" or a "pill Gun" that assists in this and has directions that go with it. You can ask your local vet or pet supply store.
2007-04-03 17:58:19 · answer #2 · answered by Vetgirl 2 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Val give good advise but forgot the biggest step of all. . . stroke the throat after you put the pill as far back in the throat as you can,hold her muzzle shut and stroke her throat to encourage swallowing. . .even at that she might spit it up a time or two before you are sucessful in getting the pill down.
Push come to shove,you can alway crush the pill and then put in into some canned dog food. . no more than a teaspoon or so of the canned dog food. . she'll gobble it up.
2007-04-03 17:58:42 · answer #3 · answered by Just Q 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I have tried a lot of things, but peanut butter seems to work the best. I just use a plastic spoon to get a little out of the jar, put the pill on top, put a little bit more peanut butter on top of the pill and feed it to em' that way. Totally easy I promise! Good Luck!
2007-04-03 18:27:02 · answer #4 · answered by EndlessLaughter 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to put a pill inside a small piece of hot dog. They gobble it up. Its a treat, because its the only time they get a hot dog.
2007-04-03 17:55:12 · answer #5 · answered by Candace C 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Put the pill in the back of her mouth. Then hold her muzzle closed and her head at about a 30 degree angle. Gently stoke her throat and/ or tap on her nose. She will swallow very quickly.
2007-04-04 03:33:20 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I give my dog's pill in a piece of Vienna and he is eating it - or in a piece of sausage he is eating it all up and don't spit out his pill
2007-04-03 19:20:48 · answer #7 · answered by Sonneblom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Braunsweiger. It smells horrible and my dogs love it.
They also take them in cheese,hot dogs and pieces of steak and double cheeseburgers from McDonalds and leftover spaghetti or mac-n-cheese.But it has to be slightly warm or they won't touch it.
They will not eat them in peanut butter balls or dog treats.
2007-04-04 02:16:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can try and stick it with your finger, if your dog will let you! most do! down the side of its mouth between the teeth and cheek not too far but far enough that it will end up swallowing it! Good Luck!
2007-04-03 17:58:09 · answer #9 · answered by Nick m 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Crushing it up, in a small amount of ice cream or peanut butter (if your dog likes either of those).
Ice cream is the only way my father could get his stubborn dog to take her medication.
2007-04-03 17:58:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋