Most dog owners will inevitably find themselves in the situation where they have to give their dog tablets or medication to treat a condition during the dog’s lifetime. As with their human counterparts, most dogs don’t like being forced to swallow any kind of medication, so what’s the best way to give a dog an oral treat?

We have found six ways to accomplish this sometimes difficult task:

1. Insertion into the mouth by hand.

This is the fastest method of giving oral tablets to dogs. Tilt your dog’s head up and insert your thumb and forefinger behind the upper jaw behind the canine teeth, which will cause your dog’s mouth to open. This will allow you to insert the tablet into the back of your mouth as far as it will go. Then remove your fingers and hold your dog’s mouth closed for a few moments and blow into his nose, forcing him to swallow in response. However, nose blowing is unpleasant, so avoid doing it with more aggressive dogs.

2. Hidden in food or candy

The easiest way to give tablets to dogs is in their food. Most dogs will not realize that the medication has been hidden discreetly within the dog food and will eat it with gusto. In some cases, you can crush the tablet and then add it to food; however, check with your vet as some medications are less effective when crushed. Try hiding the tablet inside your dog’s favorite snack, or dip it in honey, peanut butter or any food that coats the tablet with delicious flavor.

3. Use a ‘Dog Piller’

A device used to administer tablets and capsules, and designed by veterinarians, this is an ideal way to give your dog the medication he needs, as well as protect your fingers from aggressive dog bites! Available at most major pet stores, the pet piller (or pill popper) is a plastic plunger with a soft rubber tip that makes it easy to administer oral medications. Place the tablet inside the tip and place the plunger in your dog’s mouth, push the plunger and the tablet will drop into the back of his mouth. Similar to administering medication by hand, keep your dog’s mouth closed for a few seconds until the dog swallows the tablet.

4. Pillboxes

Pill Pockets are a delight that have a built-in pouch that is perfect for hiding tablets and medication. The pocket masks the medication, making it an easy and stress-free way to administer tablets to dogs. They come in a variety of flavors to choose from. Some are also an excellent source of vitamins to supplement medication and promote a healthy immune system.

5. Liquid medications

If you need to administer medication in liquid form, you’ll find this a bit easier than tablets or capsules. To do this, separate the dog’s lower front lip from its teeth to form a socket into which you can inject the liquid medication. As with solid medications, be sure to keep your dog’s mouth closed for a few seconds so it spreads into the mouth. Check with your vet to see if the liquid medication is suitable to add to your dog’s food.

After you have administered the medication, reward your dog with a small treat. This will create a positive association between giving them medication and receiving a treat.

As with all pet health medications or treatments, be sure to follow the directions and instructions printed on the product label.