Simple and Safe Ways to Give Medication to Your Dog

By Sean S. Fredrick

Giving medication to your pet dog will be an inevitability during the course of their lives. Oral medication is commonly prescribed and administered by the owner at home. But this can be easier said than done especially with large pills and foul liquid medicine.

So what is the proper method for ensuring they take their medication? Pills can be tricky because they must be placed deep into the throat without causing choking or vomiting. The first step is to calm your dog down and get them to sit in a comfortable place near you.

Keep a towel handy for any mishap that might occur and position yourself as to limit their movements without holding down too hard. Now you must ensure that you can keep their mouths open by placing your hand over the bridge of their nose and gently squeezing the cheeks so as to gently hold their mouth open. Once you have them in this position it is essential to place the pill as deep as possible to the back of their tongue, once the pill is positioned release their cheeks and allow their mouth to close while gently holding their head up so the pill can slide down her throat easily.

Liquid medication will normally come with an applicator bottle and a long nozzle. Giving liquid medication will use a similar method by gently holding the dog still and applying the dosage by squeezing the proper amount into the pockets of skin between their teeth and lips. Do not hold your dog's head high for this as to ensure the liquid will not run down their throat and cause choking.

After giving any type of medication in this way you should be sure that your dog drinks plenty of water as to aid in its digestion. It is advisable to consult your veterinarian for the proper procedure for giving different types of medication. Injections and other types should be handled by your veterinarian unless otherwise specified. Giving medication to your pet will be a quick and easy routine once you master the proper method.

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