Give medicine only as prescribed for your dog, following the label for the dose, timing and route. Before mixing medicine into food or water, ask your veterinarian whether that is suitable for the specific medicine. Some medicines need food; others require an empty stomach. Do not crush, split or open tablets or capsules unless your veterinarian says to. See the FDA’s questions to ask about pet medicines and medication-error precautions.

Do not delay a meal simply to make your dog hungry for medicine; follow the feeding instructions provided with the prescription. If your veterinarian approves giving it with food, use a small amount of an appropriate treat or food and check that the full dose is swallowed. If your dog refuses it or you are unsure how much was swallowed, contact your veterinary team rather than guessing or repeating the dose.

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For puppies, ask your veterinary team to demonstrate how to give the prescribed medicine and measure it with the appropriate dosing device. Smearing it on the lip does not ensure the correct dose is swallowed. If administration is difficult, ask about a suitable alternative formulation. See VCA Animal Hospitals’ liquid-medicine guidance.

If the medicine is in liquid form, don’t raise the head of the dog too much and place medicine by a syringe. Create a pouch along the side of the mouth by gently pulling the lip away from the teeth. Slowly squeeze the syringe to dispense the liquid medication. Make sure you do this slowly so the dog has time to swallow the liquid and breathe.

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