My parents doggie refuses to take heart worm pills, any suggestions?

Hi Elaine, pills can definitely be a nuisance.

Really the best course of action is to try to open your dog’s mouth and insert the pill directly as far back as possible. Here's how:

Hold the pill in the fingers of one hand and then place that hand on your dog’s lower jaw and the other hand on his upper jaw. Tilt his head up toward the ceiling and you will notice his lower jaw is easier to open.

Place the pill as far back over the back of the tongue so he cant push it forward. Then, after removing your hand, hold the jaws closed with one hand continuing to tilt his head back and then gently stroke his throat area to encourage the swallow reflex.

I've added this video to show the process and to give suggestions on pill pockets & hot dogs which can also be really handy.





| 09.15.15 @ 09:25

Pills can sometimes be hidden inside of treats but I always just used the method described by Dr. Dave Brooks since that was how the vet taught me. You can always ask your vet to show you how to do it if you need help. | 09.15.15 @ 19:02

I've always hidden it in a piece of hot dog. It's a treat my dog doesn't get and she will usually take it that way. But I think I will try the way demonstrated in the video. | 09.15.15 @ 19:07

Dr David Brooks definitely has the best answer but I have a puppy that absolutely will not sit still long enough to do this with. I usually have the pill hidden in the hole of a peanut butter covered pretzel. It's worked every single time. | 09.15.15 @ 19:10

i have been lucky to have been able to get mine in the past to tack meds along with treats | 09.15.15 @ 19:13

We have tried to hide that pill in her food but she is a smart girl, she just eat all around the pill. Will have to try my luck again with the method found in video. Last time she just spit it back up some how. | 09.15.15 @ 19:17

For us, we do the whole wrap the pill in Salami thing. Seems to work well. | 09.15.15 @ 19:19

They now have come out with a dog treat that you can hide the medicine in, called Greenies PIll Pocket | 09.15.15 @ 19:19

for us, the wrapping the pill in salami method always does the trick | 09.15.15 @ 19:20

We usually do the steps the doctor has described. There are also pill pocket treats that come in different sizes that our dogs usually take with no problem. | 09.15.15 @ 19:24

If the method described by Dr. doesn't work, we usually wrap it in a small bit of cheese. Never had a problem! | 09.15.15 @ 19:26

Wrap it in cheese or give in a spoonful of peanut butter! | 09.15.15 @ 19:40