How to Give a Dog Tablets

An inevitability of pet ownership is at some point having to administer them medication, whether it’s a routine worming treatment, antibiotics to fend off an infection, or treatment for an ongoing condition. And while we know that the medicine is for their good, this isn’t something your dog can understand. 

That’s why in this article, we’ll talk you through how to administer tablets to dogs so you can make the administration of medicine quick, easy, and stress-free for you and your dog. 

How to Give a Dog A Tablet

First things first: make sure that you read the provided information leaflet for your dog's medicine in full. Not only will this detail the purpose of your dog’s tablets and warn of any potential side effects, but it will also have a section on administration. Here, you can find out whether your dog’s tablet has to be taken whole, if it can be taken with food, and also what time of day is best to give it (if applicable).

Here is the best way to administer a whole tablet to your dog without using food or treats: 

• Make sure your dog is calm and comfortable before trying to administer the tablet.

• Remove the tablet from the exterior packaging and blister pack.

• Sit behind your dog with them facing away from you. If you have a small or medium dog, you can hold them in your lap. 

• Hold your dog still (get someone to help you if possible, especially if your dog is fidgety) and place your hand over their snout. Make sure to give them lots of encouragement, as this might make your dog feel uneasy. 

• Gently pry your dog’s mouth open.

• Holding the pill with two fingers, place it on their tongue as far back in your dog’s mouth as possible. This will make it easier to swallow. 

• Hold your dog’s snout gently closed to ensure they swallow the tablet.

• Reward your dog with lots of praise and treats for a job well done. 

Many dog tablets may also be available in different formulas, such as chewable tablets or oral suspension. These can make administration easier, but be sure to talk through each type specifically t find which would work best for your dog. 

How to Hide Tablets for Dogs

Sometimes, your dog’s tablets are okay to be given with food. This can make the administration process much easier, and your dog may not even notice they’re taking medicine and not just getting a tasty treat! 

Feeding your dog tablets with food can work in a couple of ways, such as: 

• Hiding the dog tablet in their normal meal

• Hiding the dog tablet in a treat

This can be tricky sometimes, mainly because you must ensure your dog gets their full dosage. Start with a smaller amount of food or treats so your dog consumes it, then follow up with the rest of their meal or extra treats to make sure the full dose is swallowed. 

You can also buy dog treats to hide tablets like these ROYAL CANIN® Pill Assist treats if you’re worried about how your dog will react to certain human foods or if you’re trying to limit or monitor what they eat.

Can You Crush Dog Tablets?

Most of the time, dog tablets can be broken into smaller pieces across their score lines or crushed up and then mixed in with their food. However, there are instances when a tablet loses its efficacy when it's been broken or crushed. This should be stated in the medicine’s datasheet. To ensure your dog is properly treated, always check if a tablet can or cannot be crushed. 

Pill Givers for Dogs

If you want to know how to give a dog a tablet without food or treats, then there are tools available to help, such as this Catac Pill Giver. These handy tools make it easier for you to administer tablets or capsules. They’re designed to slip easily between your dog’s lips and teeth to push the tablet to the back of their mouth so that you can keep your fingers out of the way.

If you're struggling with giving your dog tablets, you can find our complete range of pill givers and other dog healthcare essentials below, so you can help them feel their best.