7 Tips For Getting Your Dog To Take Their Pills

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Last updated on May 3, 2023 By Puppy Leaks 3 Comments

So you get home from the vet, medicine in hand, only to find out your dog is some sort of Houdini when it comes to spitting out those pills. 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’s 7 tips to get your dog to take their medicine.

1. Wash Your Hands

First things first, you’re gonna want to wash your hands if your dog is already on to you and knows you’re trying to get them to take their pills. A dog’s sense of smell is way better than ours, so if your dog is already suspicious of those pills try to wash off as much of the scent as possible.

2. 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. I’ve had good luck with Greenies brand, which can accommodate a couple capsules at a time.

3. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is great for getting your dog to take their pills because it’s stickyness 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.

4. Cheese

Cheese is another great option for giving your dog pills. It’s easy to shape, and you can hide their pill completely inside a small piece. And since most dogs absolutely love cheese if your dog gets excited enough for their treat they might just swallow it without even noticing the pill inside.

5. Sausage/Hot Dogs

Using hot dogs or sausage is another go to for me when it comes to giving my dog her pills. She loves hot dogs that the smell and anticipation of being given a bite means she swallows it immediately, not even noticing the pill I hid inside.

6. Canned Food

If your dog is like mine who normally eats dry food, chances are they absolutely love canned food. If that’s the case you can hide their pills right in one of their regular canned meals. Of course if your dog is the suspicious type this might not work, but for those who are overly enthusiastic about canned food they might just gobble the whole thing up.

7. Use a Pill Pusher

If you’ve tried all those other methods and 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. They can likely talk you through it over the phone or give you a demonstration.

Remember to Switch Up Your Methods

If your dog is going to be taking pills for awhile the most important thing to keep in mind is that you’re probably gonna have to switch up your methods.

If you use cheese for 3 days in a row, they might grow wise and spit it out on day 4. So to ease those suspicions use different methods before they catch on.