There is a special kind of silence in a kitchen when a tablet has been carefully hidden in cheese, the cheese has been eaten, and — some time later — a small white tablet is found on the floor, immaculate. Getting medicine into pets is one of the most common struggles owners face, and one of the most important. A course of medicine only works if it is finished.
First, ask your vet
Check whether the tablet can be given with food, whether it can be split or crushed, and whether there is a liquid, chewable, paste or injectable alternative. Some tablets must not be crushed — the coating controls how the drug is released, or protects the stomach. Some medicines can be made up by a compounding pharmacy in a flavoured form.
For dogs: the three-treat trick
- Give a small treat with nothing in it.
- Give the second treat with the pill hidden inside — a piece of soft cheese, pâté, a little meat or a pill pocket.
- Immediately offer a third treat, so your dog swallows quickly to get it.
Avoid foods that are toxic to dogs, and check sugar-free peanut butter for xylitol, which is dangerous. Keep treats tiny so they don’t add many calories over a long course.
For cats
Many cats are expert at eating around a pill. Try a small amount of strong-smelling food — tuna, pâté, a lickable treat — or a pill pocket. If that fails, pilling directly:
- Wrap your cat snugly in a towel if needed, with only the head out.
- Hold the head from above, fingers on the cheekbones, and tilt it gently back so the nose points up — the jaw usually drops slightly.
- With the other hand, gently press down on the lower front teeth and drop the pill as far back on the tongue as you can.
- Close the mouth, stroke the throat, and follow with water or food.
Always follow a pill with water or food in cats. Dry tablets can stick in a cat’s oesophagus and cause painful inflammation and narrowing — doxycycline and clindamycin are known for this. A syringe of 5 ml of water or a small meal straight after is enough.
Pill poppers
A pill popper — a syringe-like plastic tool — places the tablet at the back of the tongue without putting your fingers in the mouth. Ask your vet nurse to show you how to use one.
Make it a good experience
Keep calm, keep it quick, and follow every tablet with something your pet loves. Pets who find medicine time pleasant are much easier to treat when they get older and may need daily medicines for years.
Questions owners ask
My dog spat the pill out. Should I give another?
If you find the whole tablet, give it again. If it was partly chewed or you are not sure how much was swallowed, call your vet rather than doubling up.
Can I crush a tablet into my pet’s food?
Only if your vet says so. Some tablets must not be crushed, and crushed medicine often makes food taste bitter so your pet refuses both.
What if I miss a dose?
Check the label or call your vet. For many medicines you give the missed dose when you remember unless the next dose is nearly due — but never double a dose without advice.
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