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How to Treat a Labrador That Refuses to Take Medicine?

When the lively and lovely Labrador in our home, which always wags its tail to greet us, unfortunately falls ill, our hearts are filled with worry. To help it recover as soon as possible, getting it to take medicine becomes a top priority.

When the lively and lovely Labrador in our home, which always wags its tail to greet us, unfortunately falls ill, our hearts are filled with worry. To help it recover as soon as possible, getting it to take medicine becomes a top priority. However, many times, we find that Labradors are very resistant to medicine and simply refuse to take it obediently. Watching it suffer but being unable to feed it the medicine smoothly, this kind of anxiety and helplessness is surely something that every Labrador owner can deeply empathize with. Don't worry. Next, let's explore together how to cleverly solve the problem of Labradors refusing to take medicine when they are sick and help our furry friends overcome the illness.

Reasons Why Labradors Resist Taking Medicine

The Taste and Flavor of Medicine

Dogs have much more sensitive senses of smell and taste than humans. For them, the taste and flavor of many medicines are extremely unpleasant. When a Labrador smells or tastes the medicine, it instinctively develops a resistant mentality and is unwilling to swallow the medicine. Even some medicines that we think have no obvious odor may be unbearable to Labradors.

Improper Medicine - Feeding Methods

If we are too rough in the process of feeding medicine or make the Labrador feel uncomfortable or stressed, it will develop fear and resistance towards taking medicine. For example, forcibly prying open its mouth to pour medicine may cause it to choke or even damage its mouth and throat. In this case, it will be even more resistant to taking medicine next time.

Previous Unpleasant Experiences

If a Labrador has had unpleasant experiences during previous medicine - feeding processes, such as feeling nauseous or vomiting after taking medicine, or being frightened when forced to take medicine, these negative memories will make it fearful and averse to taking medicine, leading to its refusal to take it.

Effective Medicine - Feeding Methods

Choosing the Right Medicine - Feeding Tools

For some tablet or capsule medications, a specialized pet medicine - feeder can be used. The medicine - feeder can accurately deliver the medicine to the root of the Labrador's tongue, preventing it from spitting out the medicine. Before using the medicine - feeder, put the medicine into it first. Then, gently lift the Labrador's head, insert the medicine - feeder into its mouth, aim at the root of the tongue, and quickly press the button to deliver the medicine. After that, immediately close its mouth and gently stroke its throat to guide it to swallow the medicine.

Masking the Medicine with Food

Labradors usually have no resistance to food. We can mix the medicine into the food they like so that they take the medicine unconsciously. For example, crush the medicine and mix it into canned food, yogurt, minced meat, and other foods. When choosing food, pay attention to the fact that the taste of the food should not be too bland, so as not to be unable to mask the taste of the medicine. At the same time, make sure that the amount of food is not too much, so as to avoid the situation where the Labrador cannot finish eating and the medicine cannot be fully ingested.

Giving Rewards and Encouragement

During the medicine - feeding process, give the Labrador rewards and encouragement in a timely manner so that it knows that taking medicine is something that can bring benefits. When it successfully takes the medicine, immediately give it some delicious snacks. At the same time, praise it in a gentle tone and stroke its head and back to let it feel your care and affirmation. This can gradually eliminate its fear and resistance to taking medicine.

Trying Different Medicine - Feeding Positions

Different medicine - feeding positions may make it easier for Labradors to accept taking medicine. You can try holding it in your arms to keep its body stable, then gently lift its head and put the medicine into its mouth from the side. You can also let it sit on the ground, gently fix its head with one hand, and put the medicine into its mouth with the other hand. When trying different medicine - feeding positions, pay attention to observing the Labrador's reaction and choose the position it accepts the most.

Special Situations and Countermeasures

Medicines That Cannot Be Crushed or Mixed with Food

If the medicine cannot be crushed or mixed with food, such as some sustained - release tablets or enteric - coated tablets, other methods need to be adopted. Wrap the medicine in a piece of meat skin or cheese and let the Labrador swallow it directly. You can also consult a veterinarian to see if there are other dosage forms of the medicine available, such as oral liquids or drops. These dosage forms of medicine may be more easily accepted by Labradors.

Labradors with Extreme Resistance

If a Labrador is extremely resistant to taking medicine and we are unable to get it to take the medicine smoothly no matter what method we use, do not force it to take the medicine to avoid causing harm to it. In this case, it is best to take it to the pet hospital in time and seek help from a veterinarian. The veterinarian may choose treatments such as injection or infusion according to the specific situation of the Labrador.

Labradors are our most loyal companions in life. When they are sick, we should give them enough care and patience. By understanding the reasons for their resistance to taking medicine and adopting appropriate medicine - feeding methods, we will definitely be able to help them take medicine smoothly and overcome the illness. Let's accompany Labradors through this difficult time and let them recover their health as soon as possible and accompany us full of vitality again.

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