Dog Doesn't Take Meds

[BlackPuppy]

Well, my GSD mix has DJD/Arthritis and he's really starting to limp. The vet put him on pain killers and a strict no exercise requirement for a week, but I have to shove the meds down his throat, because he "tests" his treats before swallowing. That's working okay and he's finally getting the message that he's going to have to take his medicine whether he likes it or not.

So, I'd like to get him off meds and onto a supplement, currently Cosequin. These are "meat flavored" chewables, which, of course, aren't tasty enough for him. I give him some kibble in the morning and cut up the tablets and mix into the food, but he somehow seems to eat around most of them. I suppose I could double the amount in hopes that he swallows half.

Does anybody have any tips for getting a dog to take supplements? Anytime I give him a yummy treat, he mouths/chews it to see if there are any surprises. If I grind them up and roll into something yummy – cheese, hot dogs or ground meat – he’ll just spit it out.

I hope I don't have to shove these down his throat twice a day for the rest of his life, because he's really in pain.

[BullyLover]

If that's what you have to do...that's what you have to do. :) Stoli was on some antibiotics and I had to shove them down her throat, passed the point of no return, then rub her throat till she swallowed. It sucks but I don't think they mind much. I just showed her her pills and said "Time for your pill!" If it was so bad I guess she wouldn't have opened her mouth when I asked....but per my vet I started working on that when I first got her. Now when I say "Open!" She will yawn.....which is enough time to shove the pill down her gullet. It's all for their own good....and I don't think it's uncomfortable for them. I hope your boy feels better!

[rottnpagan]

I get a spoonful of peanut butter, and stuff the pill in the middle of the gob. I then swipe the peanut butter onto the roof of the dog's mouth. They can't spit out the peanut butter as it's too sticky.

Never had a pill not taken.

[BlackPuppy]

My dog doesn't like peanut butter, but I can give it a try. Maybe he'll start liking it after a couple of tries.

[RedyreRottweilers]

several things to try:

give a couple of treats, and then the one with the pills in it.

Try cheese whiz, Braunschwaiger, cream cheese etc until you find something he likes.

Put small bits of crunchy dog biscuit in with the soft stuff so he won't immediately recognize a pill.

Treat the dog at times OTHER than when you are medicating him.

[qwkslvr]

Try putting the pills inside a large marshmallow. Seems to work for my dogs. They think that they are getting a yummy sweet treat and not medicine, but then my dogs eat everthing. :)

[Zoom]

I've had good luck with both peanut butter and cream cheese. We went through a ton of the stuff at my old job and it was a rare dog that we had to shove the medication down.

Redyre's suggestions are great as well!

[mjpeter]

I'll put a pill/supplement in the middle of a teaspoon or so full of wet food. Luke LOVES it as a treat, and the pills have gone down.

[lpollockandrsn]

Velveeta works well too. Give the first bite with nothing in it, the second or third with the meds so he's just excited for the next taste and not checking anymore. Failing that, just put 'em down his throat is at least a sure thing. Don't double the dose because you won't really know how much he gets and it could be too much.

[Cassiepeia]

My chihuahua needs to take a heart pill every night (as well as a liquid medicine twice a day...poor old fella)...you think it's hard trying to get a pill down your dogs throat? Try getting a pill down the throat of a 5.5lb Chihuahua that has no teeth, a head that could fit in the palm of your hand and often refuses any kind of treat. Getting his mouth open is a battle, but keeping it open when there are no teeth to help you is beyond frustrating.
He's been taking the pills (in food on the rare occasions he'll take it) for so long I think he just anticipates it. He has to take them (vet ordered) at the same time each day, which doesn't help.

Anyhoo...I can't offer advice, but really do sympathize with you. lol It's neither easy nor fun.

Cass.

[Babyblue5290]

I've got Lucas taking some pills for his hips and he was the same way as your dog. I had to shove the pills down his throat to actually get him to take it but now I just put the pill in his mouth, tip his head backwards and he swallows it all by himself.

I don't know if this will work with your dog, but what I did was give him the pill like you are now (putting it in the back of his throat) and immediatly follow with a treat. That's what I did and after a few times all I have to do is just put the pill in his mouth and he swallows hoping for the treat. Like I said I don't know if that's what you want to do so you might try one of the other suggestions first. I just thought the more the merrier :) lol

[moe]

I got told that blowing on the dogs nose after you have given a pill makes them swallow, wether this is an old wifes tale or not I dont know lol, my lot just plain and simple take their meds, sometimes I will put it into their food, their meals go down that quick they dont notice in the past I have made a ball out of corned beef and put the tab in side that, shoved it into the mouth and tilted the head back, that has worked for me, but failing that its the old open the mouth shove the tab as far back as possible close the mouth and stroke the throat. if you have to give them you just have to give them.

Mo