So you get home from the vet, medicine in hand, only to find out your dog is NOT gonna take those meds, they are spitting out those pills no matter what you do. We’ve all been there! Luckily there are a few methods that make getting your dog to take their pills easier. From using pill pockets to going with the cheese trick, here are the tips to get your dog to take their medicine below.
First Things First - Clean hands always!
A dog’s sense of smell is way better than ours, so if your dog is suspicious of those pills try to wash off as much of the scent as possible.
The Pill Pockets
Pill pockets are treats that you can mold around pills, so the treat itself is completely covering the pill. They come in a variety of sizes and flavors and are available at most stores. A popular brand the Greenies brand, can accommodate a couple of capsules at a time and dogs LOVE EM as much as pawrents do too.
Cheese Trick
Cheese is another great option for giving your dog pills. It’s easy to shape, and you can hide the pill entirely inside a small piece. And since most dogs absolutely love cheese if your dog gets excited enough for their treat they’ll just swallow it without even noticing the pill inside.
Peanut Butter To The Rescue
Peanut butter is great for getting your dog to take its pills because its stickiness makes it less likely your dog will be able to easily spit the pill out. Just be sure the peanut butter does not contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can be deadly to pets.
Sausage or Hot Dog
Using hot dogs or sausage is another go-to Dogs absolutely love hot dogs the smell and anticipation of being given a bite means they’ll swallow it immediately, not even noticing the pill hidden inside.
Pill Pusher
If you tried everything else but your dog still won’t take their pills, you can opt for a pill pusher. It’s basically a syringe that you use to get the pill deep down your pet’s throat. If you’re uncomfortable with that process there’s no harm in calling your vet for advice/guidance. They can likely talk you through it over the phone or give you a demonstration.
We hope these tips & tricks help you make giving your dog medicine much more manageable.
