It’s never fun to have a sick or injured dog on your hands. They know they don’t feel well, but you can’t explain to them that all those things you do – some of them painful or uncomfortable – are going to help them. You can explain to a child that the cough syrup will help them sleep, the cast will help them heal, or that not putting weight on that leg will ease the pain. Unfortunately, you can’t explain those things to your dog. But while you can’t put it into words, there are plenty of things you can do to help make things as comfortable for your dog, even when what you are doing is uncomfortable.
Making The Medicine Go Down
This can be one of the hardest sides to an ailing dog – getting them to take their medicine. But rather than causing more distress which will hinder healing by forcing those meds down your dog’s throat, try some of these methods that will entice your dog to take his meds and think he’s getting a treat! This way, you are actually making your pet happy and relaxed, which aids in recuperation.
Hide in taste treats. These Turkey Meatballs by ComfyBelly.com are a great way to hide pills. Pre-make them, and then stuff the pill inside (after they are baked!). You can substitute the turkey for any protein your dog loves. Then watch him wolf down his yummy treat – we won’t even know the pill is there.
A piece of cupcake would be a great way to hide medicine too, liquids could even be mixed into the frosting.
Use sibling rivalry. Do you own more than one dog? Hand out treats to all the dogs at the same time, just remember which one is laced. Most dogs are more likely to take and quickly eat (without sniffing for the pill) a treat if other dogs are around. Do not do this with dogs that guard!
Grind up and mix in. If your dog is a careful chewer, then they are more likely to find the pill, even when it’s hidden in something. For these dogs, grind up the pill and mix it into something super yummy like wet food or pumpkin.
Hide the smell. Some pills/liquid medicines smell, putting your dog off right away. Mask these meds with something even stronger smelling, such as salmon or tuna. Buy cans of wild caught whole salmon and mix the meds in with it. Chances are, all your dog will smell is that yummy fish.
Handling Made Easy
As mentioned above, a stressed dog is not going to heal as fast as a relaxed dog. But most dogs that are in pain or don’t feel well are not keen on being touched. In fact, that was how I knew my youngest dog had something wrong with him when he was a puppy. I came home from work and he didn’t run to me and when I tried to approach him he ran. When I finally got close enough to touch him, he cried. I took him to the vet and they dismissed me, said he was fine. But I knew my dog. I took him to another vet and sure enough, he had a urinary tract infection and Giardia! Even if there are in pain, however, you got do what you need to help them heal. Here are some tricks to help your dog relax while you doctor them up.
Pair with food. Recently, I had to treat this same dog (he’s a bit accident prone) for multiple ripped pads. That meant soaking each foot in a solution for 20 minutes each – twice a day! A three old dog does not want to stand with a paw in a cup of fluid for 20 minutes, let alone 60 minutes while I did three pads. But, I made it easier by giving him his breakfast and dinner during our soaks. This way, he had something to do that was also positive while I fussed with his feet. Have to soak your dog? Smear Peanut Butter, wet food, etc., on the wall of the bathtub for him to lick while you do it. You can also have a helper feed him treats if you need to check a wound.
Massage. Massage relaxes your dog and make them feel better, just like it does us. This can help your dog regardless of their injury. Just talk to your vet first to make sure you stay away from any area that might be tender. Massaging your dog before you change a bandage can help get them in a calm state and make the process easier.
Don’t rush. Give yourself plenty of time to do things. This may mean getting up earlier so you can have time to doctor your dog before you go to work. When we rush, we tend to be rougher and not as patient, this will stress your dog out.
Have help. A second pair of hands can really help make things easier, not just for treats, but for holding bandages off the ground that need to be kept sterile, or even massaging your dog while you doctor him.
Make Sure You Accommodate
Lastly, you can help your dog by accommodating them. This means:
- Following all your vet’s instructions – after all, they are the expert – even if it’s inconvenient for you.
- Being diligent and not forgetting pills, or deciding that you don’t really have to change that bandage because “it looks clean.” This will just delay healing.
- Making changes as needed. If your dog is not allowed to jump or climb stairs, for example, make sure you put all their stuff on one level and set up a baby gate to stop them from doing things they shouldn’t. Remember, they don’t understand they can’t do those things, so you need to be show it to them by preventing it. Place ramps so they can still get on furniture where they can feel relaxed and comfy.
Watch the temperature. If your pup is sick or injured, make sure your house is a comfortable temperature. If they seem cold, turn up the heat or give them a dryer-warmed blanket or towel. If they feel warm, you can put a fan near them, turn up the A/C, or give them a towel cooled in the fridge or freezer to lay on.
The bottom line is the more you can do to keep your dog happy, comfortable and relaxed, the quicker he will heal.
