Tips for Getting Your Dog to Take Pills
Every pet parent agrees pill time is the worst. Having to trick Fido into taking their medicine causes chaos and unnecessary stress; however, we gathered our favorite tried and true methods for administering pills to our furry friends without any accidental bites. Keep reading to learn five tips for a stress-free pill time!
Peanut Butter
The most common way to distract Fido is with peanut butter! Dogs love the taste without entirely understanding the sticky texture, distracting them from the medicine inside! A spoonful is enough to administer the medication; any more can cause some bad gas. Also, ensure your peanut butter is xylitol-free before giving it to your dog.
Sausage/Hot Dog
Sauage, bratwurst, or hot dogs are all great options for sneaking a pill inside; Fido will be so excited for the meat they won’t even notice! Double-check those ingredients to ensure there are no spices, garlic, or onion within; your dog could experience irritable bowel syndrome from the spicy food.
Cheese
Another super popular option for hiding pills is cheese! Pet parents commonly use American, cheddar, or mini Babybell cheese wheels for hiding medicine as they cover the medicine smell pretty well. Dairy can be iffy on your pet’s stomach; it might cause some gas, but otherwise, cheese should be fine to digest.
Pill Pockets
Designed solely for easier medicine administration, Pill Pockets always save the day! These are open treats you then close around the pill to encapsulate and hide the medicine inside entirely. Furthermore, they make many flavors and all-natural ingredients for every pup!
Pill Splitters & Guns
Using a pill splitter to break down the pill into smaller pieces makes it easier to hide them within food or treats. Splitters are also handy for accurate dosing and breaking down those larger-dose pills.
Another great option, Pill Guns, are syringe-like tools to spit the pill or liquid medicine down Fido’s throat. These handy little tools reduce the possibility of accidental bites from trying to place the drug in their throat with your hand.