Surviving Pill Time with Your Pet

If you've ever tried to give a dog or cat a pill, you already know: they're smarter than they look. The second that pill appears, they somehow know exactly what you're up to.

Luckily, there are a few tricks that can make medication time a little easier!

For many pets, hiding the pill in a small, tasty treat is the easiest option. My dog is obsessed with cream cheese so this works for us. Other great options include pill pockets, a small amount of canned food, or another food your pet loves. The important part is to make sure the medication is actually allowed to be given with food, and use a small enough amount that you know your pet will eat the entire thing.

Some particularly clever pets will eat the treat and somehow leave the pill sitting on the floor like, "Nice try." If that's your pet, try watching them for a minute after they eat it to make sure the pill actually went down.

Another fun method is the ole “bait and switch”. You offer them a tasty, high reward treat you know they love, and when they go for is, switch for the medication. Then of course give them the treat once they’ve taken the medication. And be careful your hand doesn't get munched off.

If none of these methods work, your veterinarian can show you how to safely give the medication directly by mouth. For cats, having a towel or blanket handy can sometimes make handling easier and safer for everyone. Staying calm and keeping the process as quick and positive as possible can also help prevent medication time from becoming something your pet dreads.

And if your pet absolutely refuses the medication, don't keep turning it into a battle. Talk to your veterinarian. Depending on the medication, there may be another form available, such as a flavored liquid or a compounded medication, that makes things much easier.

One last important thing: don't assume you can crush, split, or mix a medication into food just because it's a pill. Some medications need to be given whole or on an empty stomach, so always check the instructions before getting creative.

I wish you all the best in your medication administration, and hope for a quick and easy process between you and your animal!