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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 a puppy to accept tablets pushed down the throat.   This is a useful technique to practice with a puppy using something pleasant like a vitamin tablet or a choc drop.

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

Try subterfuge to start!  Most dogs readily accept soft centred chocolates 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 chocolates as quickly as he can to a command such as “take it”.  If he is slow the treat disappears, you should try to get him excited by the game (but not overexcited and out of control), by speaking to him in a stimulating tone of voice.  He will soon learn to move quickly in response to the command.  This 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 makes a lot of problems disappear.

Alternatively 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.    First catch the patient!

If possible try to get someone to help you to hold the dog.  Depending on his size you may find it more comfortable supporting him on your lap if small or held between your knees if larger.  Most people find it easier to approach from the side or behind when giving tablets.

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 of finger from the muzzle onto the roof of the dog’s mouth and press. 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 the 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.

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

There are certain devices on the market to help getting tablets into dogs.  Some of these are reasonably effective but none are, in our experience, 100%.  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 or coating it in some favourite food or titbit or using chocolates 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 the dog is 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 to us.  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 gently pinching the nose and then stroking the throat.