Your dog won’t take pills? As I pried my dog’s jaws open to give him his medicine, I realized that, as a veterinarian, prescribing the appropriate medication for your dog is only half of the battle! What about YOU—standing ready, holding a pill, looking at your dog while your dog looks back at you, both wondering who’s going to win?
The answer, my friend, is YOU! As an integrative veterinarian and mom of three dogs, here are five of my favorite tips, tricks, and techniques for how to get your dog to take a pill.
1. The Bribe: For the food-motivated dog who won’t take pills
If your dog is food motivated, this technique is the obvious choice—and hopefully a foolproof way to get your dog to take pills. You can simply hide the pill in:
- Marshmallows: My personal favorite “bribe” in which to hide pills is marshmallows (or mini-marshmallows, depending on your dog’s size). I don’t worry about them causing pancreatitis (more on this soon), and it’s an inexpensive, low-calorie treat.
- A dab of peanut butter: Please make sure that xylitol is not on the ingredient list! It has become a common sweetener in peanut butter, but xylitol is highly toxic to dogs. Also, I prefer “chunky” peanut butter because it’s easier to disguise the texture of a pill among the chunks.
- Plain yogurt or plain greek yogurt: But please keep in mind that yogurt can cause GI upset in dogs who don’t handle lactose well. Plus, it is important to know that giving antibiotics with calcium-rich foods is a “no no” as it may make the antibiotics less effective.
- A cube of cooked boneless chicken breast or sliced turkey (NOT deli turkey or deli chicken as they are too high in sodium).
- Liverwurst: A small amount will do as it is very rich.
- Hot dog pieces: Always cut hot dog discs into halves or quarters to reduce the chances of your dog choking.
- Greenies Pill Pockets®(or similar products): This brilliant invention is a chewy dog treat with a hole inside for the pill or capsule. You insert the medication into the pocket, and then press the malleable treat around the pill to hide the evidence. Dogs generally love them! The downside is that they are not cheap, nor something you would normally have handy in your kitchen. Pill Pockets are sold through veterinarians and pet supply stores.
Above all do no harm.
The reason I left cheese, cream cheese, and ice cream off my “recommended” list is because I don’t want to take the risk of triggering pancreatitis through rich foods. Pancreatitis in dogs is a painful, serious inflammatory condition of the pancreas which can be caused by a dog eating high-fat foods.
If you have a pancreatitis-prone pup, you should also be cautious about using peanut butter or meat (turkey, chicken, hot dogs, or liverwurst) when trying to figure out how to give a dog a pill. These foods can also be higher in fat. They are less of a concern in my mind than cheese, cream cheese, and ice cream, but it is still important to be judicious about which dogs you give them to.
Additionally, when picking a food to put your dog’s pills in, keep your dog’s medical conditions in mind. Higher sodium foods can be problematic for dogs with kidney disease in dogs or heart disease in dogs. And dogs who are on prescription diets (for allergies or other conditions) may be better served to take their pills in a small amount of the canned version of their prescription diet. That way you know that the food you are hiding pills in meets your dog’s specific dietary aims.
If you are trying to figure out if a food or treat is right for your dog, check out my post on the 11 best foods to hide dog pills in. And also talk to your veterinarian! He or she has the ultimate say in which foods are, or are not, safe or appropriate for your dog.
2. How to get your dog to take a pill using “the bait and switch” method
For dogs who are tempted by “The Bribe,” but too smart for their own good, I employ “The Bait and Switch” method of getting dogs to take pills. This technique becomes second nature to most veterinarians who have learned the hard way—after scraping saliva-covered, mostly dissolved pills off the floor after a dog has spit them out—that it’s very important to have success on the first try.
Trust me, round two is ten times harder than round one, because of the state of the pill and the heightened state of the dog’s radar.
So unless I know the dog will basically eat anything, I always administer pills in this fashion:
1. Hide the pill in food or treats
2. Wash hands. (Yes, seriously. It’s amazing how you can ruin the whole process by having the smell of medication on your hands. Remember, a dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 times better than yours.)
3. Get two more of the same treats used to hide the pill in. For example, if I’m using hot dog pieces, when I’m ready to give the pill, I approach the dog with three hot dog pieces—and an innocent look.
4. Give the first treat without a pill in it. THE BAIT!
5. Give the second treat with the pill in it. THE SWITCH!
6. Give the third treat without a pill in it. THE HAPPY ENDING!
3. How to get your dog to take a pill using the “trick and treat” method
Occasionally, we have to up the ante. The “Bait and Switch” may have run its course and your dog has become wise to your antics, or your dog never fell for it in the first place. To have success giving medicine to these dogs, we must employ mind games.
- I do not recommend letting these astute dogs see you preparing the medication prior to administration. You will have to put the pills in the treats while your dog is occupied elsewhere. Do not let your dog see the medication bottle or hear it being handled. Remember the advantage of the element of surprise!
- Wash your hands after working with the pills. This step is critical.
- The Goal: Make your dog feel that the treat is an earned reward or special treat and there is nothing to be suspicious about. There are a few ways to do this:
- Have your dog perform a trick or two, for which he typically earns a treat. We’ve now put him in the mindset to expect/ask for a medication-laced treat. Give the spiked treats (ideally in the “Bait and Switch” sequence) as his reward.
- It’s key for the dog to swallow the treat rapidly, without taking time to chew. If your dog bites into the pill, certain medications like tramadol for dogs and metronidazole are so bitter tasting that your dog might even foam at the mouth. To avoid this, you can toss the treats to the dog and have him catch them. Speak to your dog in a happy, excited voice and build anticipation for the treats you are about to toss, so that he eagerly snaps them up and looks for more.
- Just like us, dogs are tempted by the forbidden. Feeding your dog his disguised medication off of a fork or spoon, or off of your own plate (strategically placed on the floor immediately after a meal) can yield uncanny success.
- Have your dog perform a trick or two, for which he typically earns a treat. We’ve now put him in the mindset to expect/ask for a medication-laced treat. Give the spiked treats (ideally in the “Bait and Switch” sequence) as his reward.
- Let’s face it. Dogs read us like an open book. If you approach getting your dog to take a pill with a guilty look or even feeling guilty, your dog will be suspicious. Project confidence, joy, and fun in the “pilling” process and your dog will be more likely to be cooperative.
4. How to get your dog to take a pill using the “JAWS” method
Disclaimer—Do not attempt this technique if you cannot utter these words with confidence: “Under no circumstances would my dog attempt to bite me.”
The technique I used on my dog was the “Jaws” method. It is a good option when the prescription label says not to give the medication with food or when your dog has become wise to the first three methods. Here’s the technique:
- I grasped the upper jaw just behind the canine teeth (the big fang teeth) with my thumb and first two fingers on either side, while my hand rested on the top of his nose.
- I did the same for the lower jaw just behind the lower canine teeth.
- Once I had my fingers safely in place, I gently (but firmly) pulled the jaws open. (My dog is a Pit Bull mix with exceptionally strong jaws, so this took some coaxing.)
- As soon as the jaws were open two to three inches wide, I took the pill between my pointer finger and thumb in my dominant hand and swiftly pushed it down the tongue until I deposited it at the very base (back) of the tongue. In fact, I pushed it over a decisive edge, down the hatch.
- As I pulled out my hand, I felt my dog swallowing a pill. He then licked his lips. At that point, I knew the mission had been successful.
Bonus Tips
The most common mistake people make in this technique is putting the pill ON the tongue. Unless the pill is very pleasantly flavored, the typical dog is going to spit out the pill. Success depends upon getting the pill as deep as possible in the throat as quickly as possible.
If it is challenging to get the pill in the right spot with your fingers, using a pet piller might help. This device looks like a straw with a plunger and allows you to get the pill further back in your dog’s throat.
Also, because certain pills can cause damage to the esophagus if left to sit in the throat, I always follow the “Jaws” technique with either administration of a few treats or syringing some water into the dog’s mouth.
5. Your dog still won’t take pills? Enlist an accomplice—the pharmacist
If all else fails and your dog will not take pills, while you’re at the vet, ask about getting your dog’s medication compounded and flavored. Specialty pharmacies (not the kind at grocery stores and big box stores) can pulverize your dog’s medication, mix it with a potent flavoring, and provide it to you in liquid form, which you can give orally via syringe or add to your dog’s food.
And you can have a say in that flavoring. Does your dog LOVE the smell of bacon? Mention it to your vet. There are several flavoring options, so you should stack the odds in your favor by expressing your dog’s preference if you know it.
Do not crush tablets or open capsules yourself unless directed by a vet
If you’re considering skipping the compounding pharmacy and crushing your dog’s pills or opening the capsules to add to food yourself, I want to stop you right there. Don’t do it.
The pharmacist who compounds your dog’s medication into a flavored liquid knows how to do so in a way that allows the medication to remain safe and effective. But crushing tablets or opening capsules at home can over or under dose your dog, make the medication less effective, and/or expose you to the medication.
So unless your vet expressly gives you the ok, you need to keep the tablets and capsules intact when giving them to your dog.
You + Your Dog+ Pills = Success
I hope that these five tips have given you the tools you need to confidently and successfully figure out how to give a dog a pill. But if you are still having trouble, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet. He or she is there to help! In the end, when your dog gets the medication he or she needs, everyone wins!
Do you have a tip on how to get your dog to take a pill?
Please comment below! May we always learn from each other!
Looking for more practical ways to help your dog live the happiest, healthiest life possible?
With 25+ years of experience helping my veterinary clients tackle everything from giving a dog a pill to keeping an aging dog’s mind fit, I’m passionate about helping you help your dog have the happiest life possible. Please check out these additional resources:
Is My Dog Too Old for Anesthesia?
Dr. Buzby’s Nail Trimming Without Fear: online, step-by-step video course with reference guides for confident at-home nail trims.
Why Non-Slip Grips Instead of Traction Socks or Booties
Are Antlers Good for Dogs To Chew On? Please “CHEWS” No
First published March 7, 2016
©Julie Buzby, DVM. All rights reserved.
I have two shi tzus. The male is 7 years old and about a year ago he suddenly developed food allergies which caused constant itching and diarrhea. I pulled him off the food he was on and started him on boiled chicken and rice. It worked for a couple months and then it all started again. Then I put him on Hills Science Diet sensitive skin and stomach. That worked up until a month ago. I took him to the vet and was told he was allergic to that. I gave him the steroids the vet gave me, the special shampoo and Benadryl but nothing is helping. I don’t know what to feed this poor dog. I’m constantly cleaning carpet, floors and bathing him. I’m not working right now because I’m a caregiver for my mom. I can’t afford to run to the vet constantly. The only way I’ve ever been able get my dogs to take pills is wrap them in cheese.. They’ve never had a problem with it until now. My other dog is 13 and I did this two days ago with her flea pill. Now I’m terrified she’s constipated. She rarely drinks water and is so picky with food that she will literally go without eating until she starts throwing up stomach bile. I’m desperate to get them back on track and I’ve tried everything I’ve been told to do. I can sometimes crush the pills and put on wet food, but I’ve taken them off of it all together and now they’re on dry food only per vet advice. I’m trying everything I know to help them feel better. I also need to get this situation under control because I don’t have the time, energy or the stomach to keep cleaning up all these messes. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!! If I can’t get this under control I’m worried that I may have to surrender them…….and that’s the last thing I want to happen.
Hi Teddi,
I understand your concern with trying to manage two dogs with health issues while being the primary caregiver for your mother. I can only imagine the level of stress you are under on a daily basis. Forgive me for being a little vague with my recommendations, but I am afraid I am not exactly clear on all the details of your dogs’ problems. The messes you are cleaning up…are these all from vomiting? Since I haven’t examined your dogs myself, it is hard to make specific conclusions. I would not think that frequent vomiting would be a side effect of picky eating and am worried there is something else causing the inappetence. Also, if your other pup has food allergies then you could ask your vet about trying a prescription allergy food (not just sensitive stomach). Most allergy diets have a canned food option that may be more appealing to your dog and allow you to continue to hide the pills. I know you are limited with your time and constant vet visits are taxing. Hopefully you can get some testing done on your 13-year-old girl and find how to best control her GI issues and get your younger guy on a food that doesn’t aggravate his allergies. Most of the time and money is spent in the early stages of testing and making a diagnosis. Then you should be able to just maintain, and it will get easier. Also, there may be a shih tzu rescue in your area that could help with transportation to vet visits and such. Don’t hesitate to reach out for help. Your quality of life matters too! Here is a link to another article with more information on allergy treatment options: Allergy Medicine for Dogs: 9 Solutions to Calm Your Dog’s Itch
Praying for your strength during this trying time. Bless you. ♥
Dr. Buzby…I have a couple of questions…When we all put the pills into some form of food and it is taken by our pets…Does this have any affects on the strength of the medication itself?
Are the meds still going to help the way they should even though they are disguised in food?
I ask this because my dog is on two different forms of a cough medication. xrays were done and ultra sound as well. There is nothing that shows up on either to say why she has this cough until she gags. We had been told trachea collapse but the vet says her trachea looks fine. The Hydrocodone is given only when really severe coughing times take place…the other cough tablet as well. We alternate, but that is why I wondered if the food covers the medication strength. It almost seems as though it is not strong enough for her. She is also on Vetmedin and takes that no problem. I hand it to her and watch her as she chews it up and swallows it. I see how the Vetmedin works on her, but the other pills hidden in food do not seem to to work as genuinely.
thank you for your time.
Maggie
Hi Maggie,
This is a very good question! In general, hiding pills in food does not decrease their effectiveness. There are some medications that work best on an empty stomach, but your vet will usually give you specific instructions for these situations. Some medications need to be given with a meal because it helps them work better. There are several oral flea products currently on the market that fall into this category. The medication binds to proteins in the food and this helps increase its effectiveness. Also, there can be interactions between drugs that, if given together, can cause one or both medications to not work well. I would suspect your pup is probably just not very responsive to the cough medications and that the food is not playing a role in their lack of effectiveness. But as always, please be sure to discuss these concerns with your vet!
Hello.
My 14 yr old boston developed food allergies as well, tried the Hills Science Biome diet together with Budesimide, which worked for a short while, however, bloody stools and Diahhrea came back, so, Tylosin, which is a compounded med for dogs, is the last resort and worked almost over night. Hope this helps as the situation is draining. We’ve been on this track for over a year and it was interrupting our lives not in a good way. Ask your vet about Tylosin. Seems the only thing that works 100%.
We have a shih tzu who is allergic to chicken. Almost EVERYTHING you buy for pets has chicken in it. I suggest you read the ingredients list very carefully (I’ve seen a packet of “Beef Chews” which has chicken or chicken flavour added, etc). We now feed him pure crocodile, hemp and veges or wild boar (specific low allergy foods available here in Perth, Western Australia and he has no adverse reactions anymore. Sometimes we’ll add a bit of raw beef or sardines (in Brine / water…not oil) as a treat.
Be wary of chicken. Try to find foods without ANY chicken and see if your pooch does better…..
Hi Teddi – Maybe you’ve solved your dog’s issues by now but I wanted to mention that my rescue dog appeared to be allergic to all animal proteins but did very well on Purina HA hydrolyzed diet with chicken flavor. Hills never worked for her even though it was also supposed to be hydrolyzed. My vet humored me by prescribing the Purina since according to him food allergies in dogs were rare. Hah! Her completely liquid stools turned solid on HA and itching/scratching was almost nil. She received no treats whatsoever except extra Purina HA kibble. She wouldn’t eat the canned version.
Hi Michelle,
Thanks so much for sharing your dog’s story! I’m happy to hear that the Purina HA worked well for her and I hope it continues to be a great solution for her itching and diarrhea.
My dog goes to work with me and I decided to not make a big deal of it and lay his chewable pill on the floor without him seeing. It worked!!! I guess he thought he was getting something he wasn’t supposed to have.
Hi Patti,
This is genius! I am sure this will help other readers too. Thank you for sharing!
Mealtime includes liverwurst balls with dog food in the dog bowl, sandwich bag of cooked ground turkey from fridge in my hand. I toss pea sized turkey pieces in and around the dog and food bowl, distracting my 12 year old from the dreaded pill. It may sound like too much protein but we understand moderation.
Hi Trisha,
It sounds like you have one lucky pup. I am glad you have found the trick that works best for you. Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers!
I’ve been reading everyone’s suggestions, unfortunately the reason my two pugs are on antibiotics is because they both have diarrhea and vomiting. They’re on a bland diet so I can’t really give them a McDonald’s burger. I boiled chicken breasts and ground beef, the male ate up but the female turns her head at everything, she’s been a struggle to feed in general. I’ve tried everything, at first I could fool the male but he caught on by chewing his food, he NEVER chews his food until there’s a pill in it. I don’t know what else to do. The meds require they take with food but the female isn’t even taking anything at all (except for treats) which has been an issue with her that she only wants treats. I blame my husband for that. Anyhow, I’m at a loss. Morning and evening it’s a battle. I’m so tired, they’ve kept us up for a week, multiple trips to the vet, the male got sick first, took meds didn’t improve and had to take him back and then the female got sick. I’ve spent over 3,000$$ at this point. On top of having to clean a lot of poop and vomite, throw out a brand new rug and two new dog beds, clean and disinfect my car because of all the diarrhea stuck to their butts, stand at the door with toilet paper to wipe them and all for them to turn their nose up at us and not take their meds.
Hi Saoirse,
I am sorry you are having so much trouble medicating your two Pugs. I can only imagine the stress you are under with all you have endured over the past week. What were your pups diagnosed with? It worries me a bit that they have been treated for a week and are still having vomiting and diarrhea. It might be a good idea to seek some additional testing. Make sure your vet knows about the difficulty you are having giving the medication they prescribed. There may be an injectable antibiotic your vet could administer so you don’t have to give pills at home. You could also ask about a liquid option. Your vet should have access to a veterinary prescription diet that is bland and made specifically for dogs dealing with GI upset. You could try the canned formula and see if they would take their meds in small “meat balls”. Don’t be afraid to discuss any concerns or lingering issues with your vet. And if need be, you can schedule a consult with a veterinary internal medicine specialist. I hope things start to resolve soon and you can get some peace and rest. Bless you.
a Liquid antibiotic is probably available, & could be given by syringe. Be sure someone is holding the head in place so they don’t turn their head while getting their squirt making you miss their mouth.. Good Luck!
Hello Dr. Buzby, I applaud the time you spend and the sensitivity you show to all of your readers here. Our little Pomeranian / Chihuahua mix is 16 years old now has virtually no teeth left (removed a year ago due to decay), but his worst issue is tracheal collapse. He has also developed a murmur with some mild enlargement of the heart. He has been amazingly reluctant to take pills (Hycodan, Vetmedin Theophylline). He finds the little fragments in everything. We purchased these special gel caps where we break up the pills and stick them into the caps. In theory these were supposed to mask their odor and taste. But he FINDS them and leaves them on the plate while the rest of the food is gone.
THIS BRINGS ME TO MY QUESTION: Is there a danger, when using a liquid compounded version of these drugs in a syringe, that our little guy will have some laryngospasm when squirting the aliquot of liquid into the back of his throat ? Once he starts into a coughing cycle it is tough on him and takes an hour to recover. I don’t want to induce suffocation while trying to insert the liquid dose.
Thanks and keep up the helpful work.
Gary
Hi Gary,
I understand your concern for your little guy and think it is great you are reaching out for advice. While I cannot promise your boy won’t have an issue while administering liquid medications, I can say that I think the risk is very low. Most liquids that are compounded specifically for dogs have a flavor that is appealing (or at least not very bitter) so it shouldn’t cause too much stress. And just to be super cautious, I would recommend squirting the medication into his mouth/cheek area to try and avoid the liquid directly hitting the back of his throat. I know you will be worried until you see how your boy handles this new form of medication, but I am hopeful this will be a good solution to your troubles. Wishing you all the best and feel free to leave an update if you have a chance!
I also have a pomeranian with collapsing tracheae. The vet gave Hycodan and it works very well. My guy is very smart and knows, no matter what I try to hide it in, wash my hands, do it with him outside so he doesn’t see or hear what I’m doing. I can’t fool him. He’s also very sketchy about almost anything. There is no way I could try to put a pill in his mouth, he will bite. Any other suggestions? I feel so bad when he gets to coughing, I just want to help him.
Hi Debbie,
I am sorry you are having such a tough time getting your pup to take his medication. When pills prove to be too difficult to administer, I usually suggest talking to your vet about getting the medication compounded into a liquid. But with your boy trying to bite, giving an oral liquid may not be possible either. Unfortunately, when there are behavioral issues or aggression, it doesn’t leave many options. Please make sure your vet is aware of this problem with giving pills. They may have to research injectable medications and have you bring him in for treatment in the clinic.
Hi your advice is the best advice I have ever seen in my experience with my dog sausages are by far the best pill packets and cheaper they work a treat on benji I think you are fantastic !
Hi Karan,
Thank you for the kind words about the article! I am glad you have found something that works for pup. Just be careful with things that have a high fat content (like sausages) as those foods are at a higher risk of causing issues like pancreatitis. Best wishes to you and Benji!
Thanks for the great article, I was having such a hard time getting pills into my dog and when I did he would throw them back up. He had TPLO surgery on his knee and needed the pain medication. I wasn’t told the Tramadol was bitter and was giving it to him first, (3 x 50mg) so of course he wouldn’t take his other pain meds or his antibiotics … from some of the great comments here I changed a few things, first I do not handle the Tramadol (as it leaves a strong scent on your hands) I use Tweezers … I got some liver and boiled it (for 1/2 hr) and cut it into small pieces and mold it around all his pills. I give him a small piece of liver with no pill then I give him the pills coated in liver. Works like a charm!! I also use some wet dog food in my hand to let him have between the liver wrapped pills … hopefully he won’t figure out what I’m doing as I’ve tried every other trick in the book and he’s caught on. I also don’t let him see me prepping the pills and I don’t let him hear me getting the pills out of the bottle (I’ll get all his meds ready on the counter about 2 hrs before I give them to him) Thanks again for the great article and all the comments!
Hi Heather,
Thank you so much for sharing these tips with our readers. This is pure genius! I am glad you figured out how to outsmart your pup. I hope he continues to heal and has a complete recovery. Best wishes and good luck!
Hi Heather,
Sorry for this dumb question, but what kind of liver did you boil? Going to try this technique with my boxer to see if it works.
Thank you,
Ana
I’ve tried everything I don’t care what it is can dog food pill pockets peanut butter etc he will literally hold the food in his mouth work around the treat and drop the medication to the floor,.. he sniff the treat if there’s a hint of medication he not eating mix it in wet dog food no go this dog is to smart..I once put it in birthday dog cup cake he ate the cupcake and left the medicine behind
Hi Darlina,
I am sorry your pup is giving you so much grief over his medications. Make sure you don’t touch the food you are trying to hide the pill in with the same hand you have touched the pill. Sometimes the pill can leave an odor on your fingers that you can’t smell but your dog can. So if you touch the pill and then wrap food around it, the smell of the medication can be left on the outside of the food which will change its flavor. Have you tried the tricks mentioned in the article such as the “bait and switch” or the “trick and treat”? Also, please make sure your vet is aware of these medication difficulties. They may be able to change it to a liquid form, have it flavored differently, or give an injection instead. There are many good ideas mentioned by other readers in the comments section that might be worth a try. I hope you can find a solution that works for you and your sweet boy. Wishing you the best of luck!
Hey folks! I have tried every single tip and trick offered on this post. Our dog recently had to have emergency surgery due to having pyometra and she’s on a two-week course of ABX, specifically Clavamox. She was excellent about taking it for 5 days wrapped up in turkey and ham slices but–suddenly–she wisened up and will NOT stand for it. She takes her Gabapentin and Cerenia with little issue, but not the two Clavamox pills. In the past few days, we’ve tried: peanut butter, cream cheese, chicken stock, pork fat, cheese, oatmeal-peanut butter rolls, “frozen” bites, wet food/pate, even marshmallows. She seems to eat around it and spit the pill out, which has now led to several wasted pills as well. We’ve used the bribe, bait-and-switch, trick-and-treat, and pure shoving it down her throat. She has an uncanny way of hocking it up even when it gets shoved down. Any new insight/wisdom/techniques would be appreciated from you, Dr. Buzby, and this community. Thanks in advance for the great work you do!
Hi SK,
Sorry you are struggling with a smart but stubborn pup! The only other options I can think of would be to call your vet and see if there is an alternative. Clavamox does come in a liquid form. It might be more expensive as you would need to give a rather large dose but that might be the only available option. Also, your vet may be able to give an injection instead of the oral meds (again will probably cost more). I hope you can find a good solution quickly. Best wishes and good luck!
My dog is also like this but liquid form is worse! I’m lost on what to do
Hi Ri,
I would recommend the same thing to you…please let your vet know how difficult it is to medicate your dog. They may be able to give an injection instead.
I totally agree. Worst mistake ever! The liquid Tramadol made her head spin around like in the exorcist. I put the pills in a dab of peanut butter and freeze it for a minute. I mix it in with crunchy cereal and some grape jelly or syrup – it’s the only way!!
I’ve read that grape jelly is poisonous for dogs.
Hi Anna,
Thank you for bringing this up! Grapes are toxic to dogs. The exact property that causes the toxicity is still being investigated. I am not sure how much real grape is in grape jelly. If it is artificially flavored, then it is probably not dangerous. With this in mind I usually avoid grape flavored foods for dogs just to err on the side of caution.
My dog had knee surgery & I couldn’t get the pain or antibiotic in her. I crushed them & mixed it with karo syrup. Just squirted it in her mouth with a syringe.
My dog is a boy genius when it comes to taking pills. I’ve tried everything and the only thing he will take in a mostly regular basis is if I grind the pills with a pestle and mix in pate and hand feed him whilst looking unphased 🤦♀️ I worry about him having pate daily but he needs his medication so it’s a trade off that has to be made xxx
Hi Laura,
I think that is a very clever idea and am so glad it works for your boy. I cracked up thinking about you sitting there trying to look like nothing sneaky is happening! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.
my dog will not take pills if I put it in a hot dog or anything it figures it’s in there and it digs it out it shakes his head and stuff and I try to give it filled and I just don’t know what else to do
Hi Wanda,
I am sorry your Chihuahua is giving you so much trouble with taking his pills. If you have tried all the tips and tricks mentioned in the article and in the advice from the comments section, it may be time to call your vet and seek their guidance. Best wishes to you and your little pup!
Thank you for this great article. When my dog was very sick with cancer and was really getting clever at avoiding pills even in hot-dogs, my vet said go to McDonald’s- no dog can resist a McDonald’s hamburger…she was so right. This was a real saviour for us even though the burgers aren’t healthy, she needed the meds and even a tiny three day old quarter burger would let her gobble down the meds! Phew.
Hi Erin,
I am glad the burgers worked for your girl. You are right that burgers aren’t particularly healthy and have a risk of causing GI upset or pancreatitis, but sometimes you have to weigh the risks verses the rewards! Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I hope your pup is doing well and thriving. Best wishes. ♥
I have a 75lb GSD mix who just had knee surgery. She needs to take 2 antibiotics, 4 tramadol, and a novox pill twice a day. Stuffing the Tramadol into a meatball or hotdog piece works well but the antibiotics and novox get spit out because they are larger. She has incredibly strong jaws so I’m tentative to pry open her mouth since her leg is so tender I don’t want to hurt her. And she’s nippy because she’s in pain. Any suggestions?
Hi Melissa,
I know how frustrating it can be to play the pill game every day. I am glad the Tramadol doesn’t seem to be a problem. I recommend you talk to your vet about the antibiotics and novox. There may be an antibiotic injection they could give instead or a liquid form that could be flavored for easier administration. Also, if you have tried all the suggestions in the article, you may want to read through the comments section for some of the awesome wisdom left by other readers. I hope your girl continues to heal and recover from her knee surgery. Good luck!
I got side tracked and found this page while researching pain medications for dogs. My dog just had pretty extensive surgery, and the vet gave him 4 days worth of pain meds. Just seemed like not enough to me. Anyways, I laughed while reading these, my other dog will NOT take pills. I’ve tried every method I could think of, I did not however think of getting her to do something that she’d normally be rewarded for! I’ll have to give that one a shot next time! Thank you, and wish me luck!
Hi Kori,
I am glad to hear we have given you a new tool in your toolbox for the pill battle! I hope your dog recovers quickly from his surgery. Best wishes and good luck!