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.
Our 15+y.o, 10pound pom/chi mix had all of his teeth removed a couple days ago. He needs antibiotics and painkillers several times a day, he’s not supposed to have them on an empty stomach. He flat out refuses to take his meds. Trust me I’ve tried. He has very bad eyesight and is basically deaf, but there’s nothing wrong with his nose. He eats the treat (chicken, cheese, peanut butter etc) but spits out the tiny pieces or (when ground to a powder and mixed) won’t touch his food at all. And then he just won’t eat all day. Stubborn little fella. Due to his small size and the fact that his mouth is very sensitive, I can’t/won’t do the Jaws method.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated
Hi Karlijn,
I am sorry your senior pup has been through so much over the past few days. My best advice is to talk to your vet to see if you can switch to a liquid form of these medications. Due to his small size, the cost shouldn’t be as high as with a larger breed dog and there are definitely some good options for antibiotics and painkillers in a liquid form. Hoping your boy can stay comfortable and praying for a full recovery.
just reading through all these and there are a lot of great ideas. most were not working for me but what finally seemed to do the trick for me was hiding the pill is some whipped cream. he won’t eat anything else right now or is extremely hesitant.
Hi Jeff,
So glad you found an easy solution to get your pup to take his pill. Wishing you continue success and keep up the good work!
I just don’t understand why they have to make pills for dogs that are so hard to take. We don’t give pills to babies or even small children and force them down their throats. That would be ridiculous. Why do we do it to dogs and cats? I am going crazy trying to pill my Maltese who came down with pancreatitis and has a half dozen pills for me to try and get into her. Here’s an idea: treat dogs like children and medicate them the same way.
Hi Cindy,
I understand how frustrating it can be to try to get a dog to take pills, especially when he or she isn’t feeling well. If you haven’t already, you could reach out to your vet and ask about getting the medications compounded into a liquid or ask if they come in a liquid. Small dogs like Maltese don’t need to take a huge volume of liquid, so that makes liquids a great option for them. A giant dog like a Great Dane, or even a large dog like a Lab, would have to take a massive quantity of a liquid, which can be pretty challenging. I suspect that since pills are more versatile for the different-sized dogs, that may be why more medications just come in pill form. You have a point though! I hope you are able to find a solution and that your dog feels better soon!
Cindy Zimmerman, I agree totally! What if tablet goes in his windpipe instead of down his throat during the struggle, which I always lose. Last year, when my 33 lb terrier was on antibiotics I drove twice daily (2 hrs) to a vet whose staff did it free. Took 3 of them & was hard for them. This yr found closer vet – charge $1,800 per antibiotic for 30 days. He’s on two antibiotics!!! $3,600 plus tablets for nausea, appetite stim. Now car broke down. Driver costs $40/trip. I crushed the antibiotics & added to his meal. (Only did it today. He detects the
meds in everything, and is so suspicious he
just licks his food now. When sicker, he’d take meds when wearing a head cone, since couldn’t move head enough to detect. Good news is, he loves his walks again; prances with wagging tail held high.
Hi Jamie,
I am sorry your boy gives you so much trouble with taking his medications. Here is another article that may offer some different ideas to try: 11 Best Foods to Hide Dog Pills In: A Vet’s Recommendations
Hoping your pup will start to feel better soon. Best wishes to you both. ♥
I never knew about marshmallows- would have thought the sugar is not so good. Anyway, my dog is the master of finding anything. I have had good luck with cheese and cottage cheese.. but now that he is sick, and refuses to even take treats, it becomes a challenge. And then even a compound pharmacy may be a waste so it’s the “down the throat” version which I hate doing as I know he does not like it— obviously. I would not either. What do you do when your dog is sick and it varies what the dog will eat from day to day? Is really the syringe and going down the throat the only way?
Hi Helene,
I am sorry your pup is giving you such a hard time with taking his medicine. It can be a real challenge when their appetite is diminished, and they don’t get excited about foods that used to make them happy. Unfortunately, the “down the throat” method is sometimes the only option unless you can get the compounding pharmacy to turn the medication into a liquid. Hoping with persistence you can continue successfully medicating your pup. Wishing you all the best of luck and keep up the good work!
I have used only one very easy way to pill my dogs over the years and it works every single time. I started them as puppies with this technique but it works on any dog, any age, as long as they like food and who doesn’t?. Just call the dog into the kitchen, put the pill in a small piece of cheese or anything solid that the pill will fit in and either pretend you are eating it or actually eat a small separate piece and make a “yummy” noise then drop the cheese or whatever the pill is in and say “Oops!” or “Oh!” and “gimme that” and move toward the dropped piece. They will run to grab it and swallow it immediately so you can’t get it.
Thank you SO much for all the advice in this post.
After going through 5 rounds of chemo for hemangiosarcoma, my Americocker has developed food aversion to everything we used throughout that time to dispense his chemo. He no longer eats several brands of wet food, kibble, and treats, cheese in any form, hotdogs, ham, chicken, turkey, beef, pork, peanut butter, marshmallow, pill pockets, etc. etc. Every time we administered with a new food, it went on the list of no-no’s.
Barney is deaf and partially blind and his sense of smell is wicked! He can smell pills in any food, even plastic capsules. Even if we find something he doesn’t have aversion to, he will eat around the pill and spit it out.
If I put the pill down his throat, he will pretend he has swallowed it, lick his lips many times and give me puppy dog eyes of reassurance. Then he’ll wait until I walk away and regurgitate it in a dark corner. In the early days, I found pills in all sorts of places.
The bait and switch is an excellent tip, it worked 3-4 times, then he figured it out. The trick and treat, another excellent tip that worked 3-4 times. When you have an incredibly clever dog, who cannot be fooled and is good at fooling you, this is a VERY CHALLENGING problem.
Barney is now on palliative cancer care but still needs a dozen pills a day. The last 8 months have been heartbreaking and stressful, not least because my dog is dying, but while he’s dying, I’m having to do awful things to him, like ram pills down his throat.
(Before anyone says put him down, Barney has no symptoms from his cancer and still runs around the house like a happy puppy, he has no idea he’s sick).
Finally, by combining all the methods from this article, I’ve arrived at a stress-free solution that works and I cannot thank the OP enough for that. Here’s what I do:
MY THREE TIPS:
1. Use black pudding (in the US, I think this is called blood sausage). It’s very strong and very difficult to smell pills inside, meaning you only need a thin coating. It’s also soft and can be moulded easily. This type of black pudding/blood sausage:
https://images.immediate.co.uk/production/volatile/sites/30/2020/08/black-pudding-lead-2d446fa.jpg.
2. Use the Bait+Switch/Trick & Treat Combo but add Speed Feed:
a) For every black pudding covered pill, roll up several more tiny balls of pudding with no pill. Make these balls tiny enough for your dog to swallow rather than chew.
b) Wash your hands.
c) Ask for a sit and a paw.
d) If you have another dog, give them several pieces while your dog watches.
e) With all the balls of pudding in your hand (let your dog see there’s a lot there) speed feed. Give three-four tiny balls in quick succession until your dog is so anxious to get the next piece, he’s quickly swallowing.
f) Once he’s in the speed feed frame of mind, switch in the pill.
g) Finish with two tiny balls with no pill.
3. If you have to force-feed:
During chemo, my dog was very sick. He didn’t know we were doing everything we could to keep him alive. Force-feeding pills broke my trust with my dog, and he was always Mummy’s boy so that was very painful for me. He would take food from my husband but turn away from me.
With a lot of practice and reassurance (for both of us) that bond has healed and I can now force-feed a pill without this happening. This is what I do:
a) Sit on the floor with him. Pull him into a sit with my legs wrapped gently around him to stop him backing away.
b) Have the pill ready, pinched between thumb and forefinger of your dominant hand.
c) Stroke him and talk to him. Tell him you’re not going to hurt him, you just want to help him, but he has to take the pill. Tell him you don’t like it any more than he does, but it’s not going to hurt and you’re only doing what’s best for him. Now… my dog is deaf so this must seem crazy, but the act of speaking calmly to him calms me and he can sense that even if he can’t hear it.
d) While still talking to him, put the thumb and forefinger of your non-dominant hand behind his lower canines and hold them there. After you’ve done this a few times, your dog will know what’s coming. Mine clamps his jaws tight shut at this point. They are immovable.
e) Keep talking. Put slight pressure on his bottom jaw, as if you’re going to open it, but give your dog time to cooperate, don’t force or yank. Keep slight pressure on until he relaxes his jaw slightly. My dog can only clamp for so long before his jaw muscles tire and he can’t sustain it.
f) When you feel the tight clamp of his jaw release, pull down his bottom jaw and put your free hand (finger and thumb first) all the way inside his mouth. It is quite shocking at first how far back you have to get your fingers but as the OP says, there’s no point dropping the pill on his tongue.
g) The key is to push the pill OVER THE HUMP of his tongue. The photo in the article shows a dog with a relaxed tongue (also when you have a pill in one hand, you can’t use both hands to hold his mouth open). However, a dog fighting this process will wriggle and fold his tongue and that hump will be obvious.
h) Close his mouth, hold it closed and give his throat some gentle strokes to encourage him to swallow. As the OP says, when he licks his lips it usually means he’s swallowed, but my dog pretends. He licks his lips even when he hasn’t swallowed.
i) Run a finger along each side of his jaw and feel along the soft cavity inside his lips. This is where they hide pills if they have managed to regurgitate and not swallow. If you find it there, you have to go again.
This is essentially the same as the OP’s advice with a few little extra tips – the talking, reassuring, and waiting for the clamp to ease has really helped me. My dog now trusts me to do this but it has taken a lot of practice.
But as the OP says, you need to be absolutely confident that your dog will not bite you. Barney is 12 and I’m 100% confident that he would never bite me, but pill administration is still very stressful and upsetting, so I feel for everyone seeking articles like this one.
I have to thank the OP again because, after six months of struggle, I wouldn’t have arrived at these solutions without her help. THANK YOU x
Hi GGx,
I am so glad you have found what works for you and Barney. You have given others some great tips and tricks to try. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information and for the positive feedback about the article. Wishing you and your sweet boy continued success and many happy days ahead. ♥
Thanks Julie. I had scoured the internet week after week, watched YouTube videos, tried any number of ‘tips and tricks.’ Yours was the only article with advice that actually worked. It’s hard enough knowing your dog is dying without the added daily stress of pill administration. You’ve restored peace to our final days together and I can’t thank you enough for that. x
Hi Gillian,
I am so happy to hear you have found what works for you and your dog. Praying for continued success and for many peaceful days ahead. Bless you and give your sweet pup a hug for me. ♥
I really appreciate your excellent post. I hope Barney is still running around your place and if not, that he had a peaceful journey to the rainbow bridge. I will try your suggestions with my dog, Jenny. She has EPI and arthritis, When she started the carprofen for arthritis pain management, she got horribly sick and now has to have oral medication 7 different times a day with the antibiotics, stomach protectant, acid reducer and probiotics. Your description of the humped up tongue really helped me with the down the throat method. At this point, she will not accept any treats from me, knowing that something is inside there. Bless you for taking such good care of Barney!
My 17 yr old toy poodle is the most stubborn dog or human I ever met!
She’s got a heart murmur and has been on pimobendan for years & I would find the pills all over my house, so I found a compound pharmacy for a liquid. Now hats easy, but expensive. She also takes 2 other pills and I have put them in the pill pockets which have worked. I have purchased all the flavors. I am finding them on the bottom of my shoes. I’ve tried to conceal the pills in everything imaginable! She’s too smart & very very picky. Chicken breast and filet Mignon forget it if I’m trying to get her to take something! Ok she’s spoiled! I don’t want her to die!
Hi Gloria,
I am sorry your senior girl is proving to be a big challenge when it comes to giving medications. I am glad you were able to get the pimobendan compounded but understand the ongoing struggle with the other pills. Hoping you can continue to push forward and find ways to keep her on schedule with her treatment. Best wishes and don’t lose hope!
We use empty size 00 pill capsules to disguise the smell of meds and have the bonus of helping to avoid upset stomachs caused by meds like antibiotics as they dissolve mostly in the gastrointestinal tract. We slip them in using tweezers after washing our hands once the pills are cut in half to fit so there is no smell of the meds. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07X81G9FC/ref=ox_sc_saved_image_1?smid=A25K1L8B8B64B4&psc=1
Hi Deirdre,
This is such great advice! Thank you for sharing!
What frustrates me is this. Almost every site that pops up when I ask how to give medicine to a dog that won’t eat suggests putting the pill into something that the dog has to eat. What part of the dog “won’t eat” don’t they understand? If the dog would eat I would not be asking the question to begin with. I don’t get it.
Hi D.,
I understand your frustration with how search engines work. You are correct that this article is geared more toward dogs that tend to spit pills out and not for those who are unwilling to eat. If your vet is not aware of this struggle at home, please contact them and let them know. They may be able to get the same medication in a liquid form. Some medications are available as a topical gel or can be given as an injection. I hope you can find the guidance and support you need to continue caring for your pup. Best wishes and bless you both.
You are so right why don’t they give liquid form at first.
Hi Chunk,
The reason vets usually prescribe pills instead of liquids is that liquids are much more expensive. Also, for a big dog, the volume of liquid required to achieve the same dose as a pill can be VERY large. But, if you prefer a liquid medicine, don’t hesitate to make your wishes known to your vet. I’m sure they would be happy to oblige as long as the option is available. Best wishes to you and yours!
what is empty size 00 capsules?
Nothing works! Our beagle contracted giardia. She absolutely refuses to take the meds that are vital to her recovery. Camouflaging the pills and power in something she likes doesn’t work. Cramming them into her mouth doesn’t work because she refuses to swallow. As soon as we release her jaws, she immediately spits it out or vomits it out. Agggghhhhh!
Hi Cory,
I am so sorry your Beagle is giving you such a hard time taking her medication. Please reach out to your vet and make them aware of this issue! The medication normally used for giardia has a liquid form and this may work better for your pup. Hoping for quick answers and an easy solution. Best wishes to you and your girl.
I drove over 2 1/2 hrs daily last year for 3 weeks so 3 vet techs would give my dog his antibiotics, & it was hard for them. This year he has to wear a head cone, and to my amazement, if I give him treats without removing the cone, he can’t smell that they’re hidden in the food! He also can’t see if they slip a little out of the chicken, cheese, or salmon treats.
Thank you for this blog! Our 14 yr young pit bull mix, Simone, is in the too-smart category and can deconstruct any pill device, expelling pill and its carrier into bits on the floor. The ONLY thing that has worked is combining all your advice: a marshmallow I prepped with the pill in another room, with a dab of peanut butter, served up with several “blanks” that I pretend are all mine. lol
Hi Lisa,
This made me laugh so hard! Great job in finally figuring out how to outsmart your pup. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Give your sweet girl a hug for me and keep up the good work!
This thread is great and keeps on going for years! I thought I was a genius with my kind of “bait and switch” 🙂 Tonight we got new pills that are huge so I’m not sure it will work tomorrow. My dog takes a daily medication. If he even hears the peanut butter come out, he is sitting next to me and drooling. If he can taste a pill or feel the pill in his ‘treat,’ it will be spit out for sure, and he has the hound nose so he smells everything coming. I rip off a small piece of bread and coat it with peanut butter (no xylitol). I put the pill in the middle and fold the bread (it’s usually a mess at this point). I then put peanut butter on my index finger so once I hand him the bread/pill/PB ‘treat,’ he gulps it right down b/c he wants that blob of PB on my finger. I have my finger right there waiting so he takes no time investigating the bread. I’ve had two pills before, used two small pieces of PB bread, and as long as I have the next piece with PB right there waiting, he will gulp down what he can to get to the next piece/blob on the finger :). It’s all about the timing for this guy.
Hi Maria,
This is amazing! I’m so glad you have found a trick that works for your smart boy. Thank you for sharing and keep up the good work!