Question re: giving pills to dogs

[momule]

If none of the above don't work, crush the pill (if vet says ok) and scoop it up with cream cheese. Open dogs mouth and smear on tongue. Could also have vet compound drug into a liquid and give with a syringe.

[NM posts]

My shih tzu was masterful at spitting out the pill. She had bad reactions to cheese so I actually used to cook a boneless chicken breast and wrap a piece around the pill. She would still try to spit it out but I'd hold her mouth closed and stroke her chin (hard to hold the mouth closed in a snub nosed breed) and also make sure to follow up with another little piece of chicken or two, to make sure the pill got down there. It was always tough though.

[momule]

Yep all my shih tzus have been masters at spitting out pills. Find the pills in their beard or on the floor.

[Viny80]

My dogs used to do the exact same thing, then I found Greenie's Pill pockets on Dr. Foster's & Smith website. Pet Barn also sells them if there is one in yopur area, but they re cheaper online. My dogs can't seperate the treat from the pill now so they eat it all, plus they're really quick & convient. OMG I sound like an infomercial, anyways give them a try, or u can try bread and peanut butter in a ball.

[Rtom45]

Originally Posted by hey teach

Many years ago our old vet showed me how to give my pets pills. Open the dog's mouth with your hand and curl the upper lip around the upper teeth on one side (this keeps the dog from biting you because he will bite himself first) them push the pill as far back into the throat as possible. Hold the dogs mouth shut for a few moments with one hand while stroking their throat with the other hand. The stroking motion will make the dog swallow.

I've been using this method for years with multiple dogs of multiple breeds and the pill always goes down and I have not been bitten. This method also works on cats.

When I worked for a vet many years ago, this is the method he taught me. I always made sure that the upper lip was pushed down on both sides of the mouth. It always worked for me, and I had to give medication to dogs routinely.
My wife and I have had dogs forever and I continue to give pills using this method without a problem.