How can I get my dog to swallow pills?

by Jamie

I have to give my Coton antibiotics for a skin infection for several weeks and I am having a heck of a time getting him to swallow the pills. I've tried hiding the pill in his food - he eats the food and spits out the pill.


I tried just putting the pill on the back of his tongue and that is just a nightmare - for both of us.

I'd appreciate any suggestions. When the vet does it, he makes it look so easy.

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Dec 22, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		HAPPY HOLIDAY'S
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

To give a pill: Open ur dogs mouth. Insert the pill well to the back of the tongue in the midline.(If u get the pill to the side of the tongue, dogs will work them forward & spit them out.) Close the dog's mouth & hold it shut while stroking his throat until he swallows. If he licks his nose, probably he swallowed the pill.

To give a pill: Follow above & lift nose up to ur mouth & blow like u are blowing out a candle into the dogs nose which tickles he then will lick his nose & pill will go down.

Prep ur pill: Coat the pill with something like canola oil to easily slide down the throat.
Dec 22, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Swallowing Pills
by: Anonymous

I know there is a product that you can buy called pill pockets my vet sells it in the office.
Dec 22, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		smarter than the average dog
by: Iris Miller

I have to laugh, so many of us have this problem. I get some small chunks of sharp cheddar cheese, squish it in-between my fingers, give my dog one taster(without the pill in it), then another, then one with the pill buried inside. if he spits the pill out try with a smaller piece of cheese, flattening the cheese around the pill. I also say "eat the pill"when I see Tuffy spit it out, and once he surprised me and picked it up and ate it! That made me think maybe he had been spitting it out because it felt like something like a small pebble, or something not food he should not be eating?
Another way is to push the pill down his throat with your finger through the side of his mouth, not straight in, and preferably by a non fearful family member( I personally have difficulty with this).
good luck!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Tuffy and Mom
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Tolo's meds
by: Anonymous

Tolo thinks he is getting a treat. I make him sit, lay down, stand, etc. Then, I get him to sit again. I open his mouth with my left hand and gently put the pill down his throat with my right thumb and forefinger. Basically, just far enough down so he shouldn't be able to get it back up. I hold his mouth gently closed while he sticks his toungue out a few times and then check to make sure the pill is gone. Works every time. Good Luck!
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		My dog keeps outsmarting me
by: Jamie

Thanks everyone, but I think my dog is just too smart. He keeps figuring out a way to eat the cheese, bread, or turkey and spit out the pill. I think I will have to go and and get some peanut butter - it may be sticky enough so he won't be able to separate it from the pill. We've never had this problem before, so I think he must not like the smell or taste of this particular medicine.
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Natural Balance Beef Roll does the trick!
by: Anonymous

We have a small Maltese and had this same problem. 30 minutes with the "peanut butter trick"? No thanks! So we were told about the Natural Balance Beef Roll: just pull of a tiny bit, ball up the pill in it, and VOILA! He practically INHALES it.

Best of luck with your little doggies!
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pill swallowing
by: Pam

Put the pill in a small piece of bread or cheese.
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pill Swallowing
by: Anonymous

I put mine in a little bit of soft cheese and they take it with no problem at all. Good luck
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		swallow the pill pls
by: Deborah

Have you tried "Pill Pockets"? Works for our two boys...
Dec 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		pills
by: Anonymous

Try putting peanut butter around the pill. Makes it very hard to spit out and they love the taste.

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