How to give your dog tablets

First and foremost, please always follow your veterinarian's dosing instructions for any medication. One way to give your dog tablets is outlined below.

Hold the tablets or capsules between your thumb and index finger. If you need to give your dog multiple tablets, they can be held in the same way, or alternately, held between your index and middle fingers. 

To open your dog's mouth, rest your left wrist on his head for leverage, and press your thumb and fingers in and upwards on the lips behind the canine teeth on both sides of his mouth. He shouldn't close his mouth because his lips will be between his upper and lower teeth.

Holding onto the medication as previously described, use your other fingers to pull downward on your dog's lower jaw. Then, quickly deposit the tablet on the back of the tongue and push it as far backwards as possible with your index finger.

Hold your dog's mouth closed for a few moments afterwards until he swallows the medication.

If you have trouble with the method above, why not visit the Hospital and we can give you advice on your technique, or discuss other methods of medicating your dog.

Special thanks to Pfizer Animal Health for allowing us to use these graphics on our Site

How to give your cat tablets

First and foremost, please always follow your veterinarian's dosing instructions for any medication. One way to give your cat tablets is outlined below.

Ask a helper located behind your pet to hold the cat's forelegs and chest so that the animal isn't able to raise its paws. Then, with your left hand, hold the cat's head firmly.

Gently tip the cat's head back, and you'll notice that the cat will open its mouth slightly. Using your other hand, open the mouth fully by pushing down on the cat's lower front teeth.

Drop the medication into the cat's mouth and push it as far to the back of the mouth as possible with your finger or the rubber end of a pencil.

Close the cat's mouth and gently rub beneath the nose to stimulate the animal to swallow.

If you have trouble with the method above, why not visit the Hospital and we can give you advice on your technique, or discuss other methods of medicating your cat, including using a "pill-popper" - a piller which works like a syringe.