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.
My 14-year-old Japanese Chin has recently started rejecting her “pill cookies,” and I’m just at a loss. She takes 4 pills in the morning and 3 in the evening. She used to take them with a marshmallow, and then she moved to a small bite of cheese. She took them for the past year or two with peanut butter on top of a small dog treat. It was the highlight of her day! Now she just wants the treat and spits out the pill. I’ve tried hot dogs, lunch meat, egg, different dog treats… nothing works. Her face is so small and flat, it’s very difficult to pry her jaw open. She took her pills with bean dip yesterday, but I looked more into that and it looks like that’s not really a safe option. I know compounded liquid medication also wouldn’t work for her, because it would require sticking the syringe in her mouth. (I had to do this with my senior Pekingese a few years ago, and as difficult as it was for her to take I know my Chin will fight it more.) Do you have any other ideas on different foods to try?
Hi Chelsi,
I am sorry you are having such a hard time getting your girl to take her medications. I know I have read comments left by other readers where they mentioned ideas on foods to use for this type of situation. I can’t remember them off the top of my head. I think one said something about liver or chicken hearts? My best advice is to read through the comments section and see if you come across something you’d like to try. Also, please make sure your vet is aware of this problem. Even if they can’t offer an alternative, it will help them make better choices in the future should your girl need to start a new medication. Wishing you the best of luck. Take care and keep up the good work.
Some dogs love competition or to feel like the got the better of you. My daughter works with working dogs, and one won’t take her pills unless she san “steal” them out of the treat bag. I have a sweet 13.5 yo lab mix on many heart meds twice a day. When her appetite is good (she’s on Entyce as well since she has kidney issues), she will eat her pills in pill pockets or with some deli meat, but what really works is when she thinks my other dogs may be getting the “treats” instead.
Hi Meg,
This is such great advice! I can just imagine how proud your girl must be when she thinks she’s gotten the best of you and steals her “treat”. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Give your pup a hug for me and keep up the good work!
these suggestions are fine if your dog will eat but if they are feeling sick they won’t take anything. yes, if your dog is big enough and the pill/capsule is reasonably smallyou can do the jaws method but if your dog is 5 pounds with a tiny jaw, that doesn’t work. I have always found this a challenge when my dog’s stomach is bad and I am trying to get some pumpkin into her. .
also some meds don’t come in liquid form. I always try fir liquid form at the vet first.
Hi Dee,
I am sorry you are having so much trouble getting medications or pumpkin into your pup. You are correct, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to veterinary medicine. Sometimes there will be struggles and that’s just the way life is. The solutions recommended in the article are good for most cases. And the hope is if we can help even one owner feel more empowered when it comes to their dog’s health then we have succeeded. your girl is lucky to have you taking such good care of her. Wishing you both the best and keep up the good work!
Hi Dr. Buzby, my sweet , almost 13yr old, girl (Oaklea – choc lab mix) has has bladder stones , surgery to remove stones, and now has a post surgical bladder infection.. It’s a nasty bug requiring a big gun antibiotic, chloramphenicol. This drug is very toxic to humans via touch , inhalation of airborn powders/or taken orally. I am totally petrified to handle the drug even with gloves and mask, not to mention, Oaklea is very difficult when it comes to taking meds.
Do you have any advice or other options for such a toxic med that would help me?
Hi JLO,
I understand your concern and am glad you are taking these precautions. As long as you are wearing your protective gear, you should be able to try some of the tips mentioned in the article (bribe, bait and switch, trick and treat, etc.). Are there things you have tried that just don’t seem to be working? It is hard to know how to offer specific guidance. Hoping you can get things figured out quickly and praying for a complete recovery for Oaklea.
My sister Rottweiler will not take her pills. She doesn’t like peanut butter if she knows the food you put it in. She won’t take it again and my sister can’t get her jaws open to get in her mouth. She’s a loss and very frustrated.!
Hi Tracy Lynn,
I commend you for trying to help your sister and searching for advice. I am sorry her pup is giving her trouble and putting up a fight about taking pills. I encourage you to read through the comments left by other readers. There are many great tips and tricks shared and wonderful advice in the comments section. Also, please have your sister talk to her vet about this issue. There may be a liquid form of the medication or an alternative that can be tried. Wishing you all the best and keep up the good work!
Agreed. My dog is 5lbs and doesn’t have teeth so sadly none of these options work. I’m still searching …
thank you for these tips and I wish I could say I have not tried every one of these. in our case we have a Bassett hound and he can smell the meds in anything and refuses to take them and we have had to result to the down the hatch method but he also tries to fight back and it kills my wife and I that he will not take these critical mess any other way. he used to take them by treat/ chewable formulation but then he had some troubles with his eyes and now his sense of smell is off the chart. I am going to try the marshmallow to see but I am doubtful it will work in his case as he is also extremely smart. and it is a major fight to get them in him. and if they weren’t ani convulsion meds I would figure out another way but they need to be taken whole. and because he will bite down I am wearing heavy hide work gloves. some possible hope in his case is he may have hypothyroidism and if the tests come back as true we may be able to go to a different method.
Hi Gene,
I am sorry you are having such difficulty in getting your boy to take his medicine. What did you find out about the hypothyroidism testing? Here is a link to another article that may offer some new ideas about foods to try with the pills: 11 Best Foods to Hide Dog Pills In: A Vet’s Recommendations
Wishing you all the best of luck and keep up the good work!
I will look at this article as well. I have a 13 lb, 10 year old cavvie who we rescued 3 years ago. He has some quirks. Like refusing to take food or treats from your hand. So treats must be laid on the floor in front of him. He always inspects before eating. He is on diuretics and heart meds 3 times a day. He always loved pill pockets. I have bags stockpiled. He lost his appetite last week and refused all food and meds x 48 hours. I won’t go into what all I did to get nutrients in him. He is eating again but still fighting the meds. I can do the down the hatch thing but don’t think the dog sitter can. We have a fondness for small venue concerts and need someone to give the evening dose. I feel like I’ll be staying home.
Hi Pam,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with your senior guy. I hope you will be able to find an easy solution so you can maintain your lifestyle and ensure your pup is getting the care he needs. Wishing you all the best of luck.
I have a 116 lb 7-year-old German Shepherd who refuses to take her capsule pills. She is on a 3-week regimen. I have tried hiding them in chicken cubes, steak cubes, peanut butter, ice cream, whipped cream, soft cheese, cream cheese, liverwurst, pill pockets, etc… We are good for about four pills, and then she realizes what we are doing and stops taking them. I tried the jaw method also; it was very traumatic for both of us and on the last attempt, she bit me, not on purpose. I asked the vet what else I could try, but he reiterated all the methods I had already tried. I don’t want to make my dog afraid of me or become her enemy. I need help!
Hi Patty,
I feel for you! It can be so hard to get some dogs to take their pills, especially when they need to take multiple pills a day for a long time. It sounds like you have already tried many of the foods I normally suggest, but it is possible that you might find a few more ideas by skimming through the comments on this post. Otherwise, I’m wondering if it would be worth talking to your vet about getting the medication compounded into a chewable pill or a liquid. It would probably be a lot of liquid for a German Shepherd, but maybe it is worth a try? Also, you may have already tried it, but some people also have luck with alternating plain treats with the ones that have the pill in them and tossing them to your dog in rapid succession so they eat them quickly without thinking about it. (for example, chicken, chicken, chicken + pill, chicken, chicken). Oh and ensure you wash your hand between stuffing the “pill hider” and offering anything to your dog. Otherwise that smell might transfer to the other treats or tip your dog off that pills are coming.
I hope you find something that works!
pills a bug problem. Pharmacist compounded the pill. Spits out the red fluid med
Hi Karen,
I am sorry you are having issues getting your pup to take their medications. Please make sure your vet is aware of this problem. Also, I encourage you to read through the comments section as there are many great tips and tricks offered by our readers. Hoping you can find a quick fix and wishing you all the best.
So easy!. I cut a two inch –inch and half off a hot dog stuck a knife in the center–stuck the pill in there–she gobbled it up like it was nothing because it was all hidden. Did it again with the other pill–worked like magic!
hot dogs worked for us a few times and so did a lot of other things but now our 16 year old chug is on to us. everything we feed him he bites into it spits it out inspects it for pills then eats it. he has to take Keppra 3x a day and now he hasn’t taken it for a few days because we can’t get him to take it. we tried putting it in his mouth and clamping it shut making him swallow by rubbing his throat but you’d be surprised how hard it is to do even though he’s only 15 pounds. the pharmacist made it a point to tell me to be sure that he doesn’t run out of his medicine because it won’t be good for him if he cold turkey quits and now he has been a few days without his medicine. we managed to get half a pill in him about 2 days ago but everything else has been a fail on our part. it’s heartbreaking seeing him have seizures too. I just don’t know what else to do! everyone says pull pockets but I feel like he will just bite into it to find the pill like he does everything else. grrrrrr why does he have to be so smart?
Hi Crystal,
It sounds like he is a bit too smart for his own good! It is crazy how difficult it can be to get pills in a dog, even when he or she is small. Some dogs do like pill pockets, but like you said, if your dog is really good at biting into things to check for pills, they might not be the right solution either. Have you tried mini marshmallows? Sometimes those are small enough that the dog won’t bite into them. Do you think liquid would go any better? Keppra can be compounded into a flavored liquid which he might let you squeeze into his mouth.
If you are still struggling to get the pills in today, I’d reach out to your veterinarian as well.
Fingers crossed that you find something that your pup will take his pills in!
If you haven’t already, you can also check out this article in case something in it stands out as another food to try. 11 Best Foods to Hide Dog Pills In: A Vet’s Recommendations
My Shiloh Shepherd, 11.5 years old, has IBD, and recently was diagnosed with perianal fistulas (PF). She also has neurological loss going on. she was on Atopica and a slew of other meds for the fistulas. This girl has always had a picky appetite. I’ve been lucky in that even with IBD, I could sneak her a few regular dog treats although she does love her Hypo treats best anyway. She also handles a very few pieces of her Cocker Spaniel sister’s kibble to tickle the appetite and get her started eating. Now with PF, and age, her interest in eating her prescription food came to a halt. We had to take her off all meds except Gabapentin to get her back to eating.even minimal meals, with two prescription foods being rotated to get her to eat again.. So far she has remained in remission, thankfully.. For the meds, I went thru the gamut of Pill Pockets, marshmallows, cheese cube, etc. wary of anything upsetting the PA or IBD. I finally discovered that she would take the Gabapentin capsule in half a not quite hard boiled egg.. I bait with a slice of the end if I can. If that is rejected, I sacrifice some yolk from the other half to “prime the pump” then usually she will then take the chunk of yolk and white with the pill inside, followed by another slice of white or a treat.. If I didn’t have to use the other half, I wrap it and refrigerate it for the next use.. Every day I expect failure of this lone working method either by rejection or by the egg causing trouble with the IBD or PF. So far so good.
Hi Linda,
This is such a great idea! I am glad you have found something that works for your Shepherd (at least for now). Thank you for sharing this bit of advice. Best wishes to you and your senior girl.
Hi there! I am looking for ideas on how to give a dog meds without food. She won’t chew them herself. Any thoughts? Thank you!🙏
Hi Luscious,
Some medications can be dissolved in water and administered with an oral syringe. You would need to talk to your vet to find out if your dog’s medications are compatible. Is there a specific reason your pup can’t have food with her pills? Just trying to understand the whole situation so I can figure out how to the best way to help!
hi just like yourself trying to get my dogs to take their tablets is a complete nightmare. tonight I tried a completely different way. I covered my fingers in some malt yeast (marmite) I wouldn’t give it to them normally they loved it, then rubbed it over the tablet then put it between a piece of chicken and threw it up as giving them a treat for good behaviour, it worked what a stressless way to get them to take it. yeah ha
Hi LC,
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice!
Hi Oliviae is a 1 year old G. Shepherd husky mix and I have to use the jaws method on her otherwise she can tell no matter WHAT I do. The problem is that even though I’m VERY VERY GENTLE and I give her high value treats after; she becomes…susupious or fearful of ANYTHING I give her for weeks afterwards. When it’s feeding time she will go and sniff the food and then go and hide in fear! She is a very brave dog and very confident (she doesn’t even act like this when it’s bath time!) so its a bit out of character for her. If my husband feeds her it’s fine and she eats just fine even if she watched me make it! Right now I solve the problem by having a play date with her greedy brother and her need to be the QB usually overrides her hard head but I’m moderately concerned since it appears to be a behavior thing. Thanks
Ps I’ve never put her flea tick chew or meds in her food. I tried putting it in yougurt broken up but she would not go near it.
Hi Conrad,
Both breeds you mentioned that make up your pup are very intelligent and can be hard to outsmart! It is not surprising you have had to go to great lengths to get medications in your girl. If yogurt is the only food you have attempted to hide pills in, I would recommend trying again with something different. Try something that has a strong smell that will help to hide the medication better. Many readers have commented saying they have great luck with liver products. If getting your dog to take her pills continues to be a problem, please make sure to discuss these concerns with your vet. There could be alternatives that would be more appealing to your picky pup! Best wishes and good luck!
Hi! I am looking for a little advice for how not to let the pills get into the dogs cheeks, etc. My 10 year old pup has pneumonia 😢 and is on two antibiotics. He is a 26 lb mixed breed, (probably Lhasa apso/shit zhu/terrier). Since he is sick, his appetite is not good and i don’t want to stress him too much. But i have tried everything treat and food wise, but after the first couple days, he won’t eat anything these pills are in. He has to take Enrofloxacin flavortabs (136 mg) which are huge and Amoxi-Clav (125 mg). Since the Enrofloxacin is big, I break it into 4 normal sized pieces, then the other pill he gets 1.5 tablets, so I end up having to ‘pill him’ six times! After nothing was working (peanut butter, pill pockets, American cheese, mixing them into several different kinds of foods) I am forced to just put them down his throat unfortunately. the problem is that he swallows and seems to have taken it but when I let go of his mouth he flicks his tongue a few times and out pops the soggy pill – again and again! what am I doing wrong?
Hi Jillian,
I understand your frustration with getting these pills into your dog. Trust me when I say you are not doing anything wrong! Have you talked to your vet about this issue? The reason I ask is I am fairly certain that both of those medications are available in a liquid form. The liquid may cost a bit more depending on how much would be needed to reach the same dosage as the pills. But the ease of administration may outweigh the extra cost. Please let your vet know how stressful this has become for you. I am certain they can help make this a smoother process.
Hello, I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your article. We have been having a terrible time getting our girl an 8 month old Belgian Malinois to take meds because she chews lol. We had a beautiful boxer who would just swallow whatever we gave her, our 15 year old pug is the same. Ugh but little Bear is ridiculous! We are going to try your methods including the one thing we didn’t realize we were not doing which was wash your hands well. Thank you so much for your article!
Hi Nilda,
I am glad you found some tips and ideas for new things to try. I hope the hand washing will help as well. Thank you for the positive feedback! Good luck!
Maggie is unlike any kind I have ever seen and I am a dog person so I’ve been around them all my life and I’m 50. I’ve rescued dogs, Fostered dogs and dog sat more times than I can count & I have never seen a dog like her ! SHE’S a rescue dog and adorable with the cutest puppy dog eyes ever!! But… she does not like the same things that most dogs would fall all over themselves to get to and devour! She doesn’t like peanut butter 😱🫣🤔!! and that was almost unbelievable to me because she’s the first one I’ve ever come across that didn’t! She doesnt like the most expensive dog food & dog treats , she doesn’t even like the cheapest or the stuff that comes right in the middle I’ve tried them all! I tried hot dogs, bacon, hamburger meat, chicken and fish you name it I’ve tried it she’s a smooth hair dachshund with the most Keen sense of smell of any animal I’ve ever seen I swear she could rival a bear! So no matter what I do to it whether it be break it up, hide it, pulverize it or disguise it in the most ingenious way she always can smell it and if it’s something that I’ve pulverized it into she can smell it and won’t even touch it and I’ve tried to stand off with her to see how long she could go without her food hoping she would eventually eat the food with the medication in it but to no avail.. She is very hard headed and battle ready and she can hold her own and go toe to toe with me any day and I’m a tough cookie lol so I’m still looking for help here because she has really bad anxiety & separation anxiety to where I can’t go anywhere or do anything even if it’s to walk out the front door without her or take a shower She starts freaking out and the minute the door shuts anything she can reach she will destroy😢 I’ve tried putting her in a cage and putting a cover over it she even gets all the covers into the cage and tears them apart I’ve tried everything trust me I even have to sleep in the same room with her because if I go to my room and go to sleep and leave her in her bed in the living room well she gets mad and makes me pay other than that she’s a very good dog, very loving and protective and loves me more than anything but she wants her way at all costs so any help I would appreciate cuz I have the most stubborn hard headed dog in the whole wide world I’m sure 😵💫
Hi Ginger,
I am sorry Maggie is giving you such a hard time with her medications. I am not sure I have any other great advice other than what was already mentioned in the article and in comments with other readers. If you have not read through the comments section, I highly recommend it! One of my own dogs could be this way from time to time and I ended up having to open his mouth and just pop the pill in. I would close his mouth and hold it gently closed with my hand and then lightly blow on his face. This would cause him to swallow. I have also had to use a dropper and put a drop of water on his nose to make him lick and swallow or place a couple drops of water into his mouth to initiate swallowing as well. I hope you can find the best way to help your girl comply with her much needed medications. Don’t give up, you are doing great!
I’ve tried everything. Yesterday she and I sat eating peanut butter on crackers. This morning I put the pills in peanut butter, a pretty big amount. She keeps sniffing and walking away. I’ve tried to open her mouth, try to see if I could slip them in the side of her mouth. She keeps her teeth so well clamped I can’t open. She’s an 8 year old Amstaff mix, weighs about 70 pounds. She will sniff each piece before taking it. The other day I tried a hot dog slice, nothing in it. She sniffed it and turned her head, I’m just happy I’m not alone.
Hi Janet,
I am sorry your girl is getting the best of you with this tricky medication situation. What pills is she taking? Please make sure your vet is aware of your struggle. There could be other options that would make this much easier for both of you. Don’t give up and you are definitely not alone in this. Wishing you the best of luck!
I feel your pain with the medication. I have a treeing walker he is a rescue he can smell the medication in anything and won’t touch it .he’ll eat the same cover food with out the medication 🤷
So what I do for my pupperuni is I mix her supplements into a ball of crunchy peanut butter that has been coated in crushed milkbone treats. The pb is mixed with the treat crumbs to make a sort of dough, and the pill is shoved into it. Then I add more peanut buteter, maybe a cucumber slice or two if she’s been a goodest girl, and then wrap it all up and form it round the pill. I then do the get her all excited and she snaps it out of the air trick.