Tablet Pockets are essential if you have to give tablets regularly to your unwilling pet. At VetUK we understand the stress for both owner and pet that can be associated with giving tablets. Some pets, both cats and dogs will readily accept a tablet disguised in a small piece of bread or moist pet food, especially if you present it in a manner that your dog associates with receiving a treat, for example after performing a trick or during a play session. Others however, are more cunning and no matter how hard you try, will always find the tablet and spit it out; some can be so cunning as to appear to have swallowed the tablet, only to spit it out when you aren’t looking!

If you have to give tablets regularly to your unwilling pet you will know why these pill givers, tablet crushers and tablet pockets have been made. Depending on the preference of both you and your pet you’re sure to find a solution to your problem here at VetUK.

At VetUK, our resident vet has offered some advice to help when giving medicines and tablets. VetUK recommends that when giving a tablet to a dog have them sitting at your side. Place one hand on the dog's upper jaw and press its lips gently against the sides of its teeth with your fingers. With your other hand, pull the lower jaw down and place the pill on the base of your dog's tongue, far back in the mouth. Close the dog's mouth, return its head to normal position, and encourage it to swallow by blowing on its nose or massaging its throat. Using a pill giving gun or tablet introducer can assist with this; allowing you to avoid the risk of getting bitten or getting covered in doggy saliva.

When giving a tablet to a cat, put a towel on a table or on a rug on the floor - this gives it something to cling on to. Gently open its mouth and insert the pill right at the back of its tongue. If the cat tries to scratch you, wrap its body and legs in a towel, leaving only its head sticking out. You can force a cat's mouth open by applying gentle pressure with your thumb and forefinger on either side of its face at the space between its teeth. Close the cat's mouth, return its head to normal position, and encourage it to swallow by blowing on its nose or massaging its throat. A pill giving gun can be particularly useful here to help get the tablet to the back of your cat’s mouth without risking being bitten or distressing your cat whilst pushing your finger into its mouth.

Giving liquid medicines can be much simpler; gently pull the corner of your pet's mouth away from the face to form a "pocket". Slowly give a small amount of the liquid. Allow your pet to swallow before giving more liquid. Do not squirt all the medication into your pet's mouth at once. If the medicine you have doesn’t come with a syringe, you can purchase them individually from us at VetUK. We stock a variety of sizes of needle free syringes all sold individually for just this purpose.

Most important of all, don’t lose your temper with your pet, remember he is only being awkward because he is anxious, doesn’t understand and doesn’t like what is happening. Try to keep things as relaxed as possible and avoid hurting your pet. Good luck!