Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S; Christine D. Calder, DVM, DACVB
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Image courtesy of Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S
Giving your dog medication can feel like a daily standoff. Some pups are pros at sniffing out pills, no matter how well you try to hide them. You are not alone if you have ever found a soggy tablet spit out next to the food bowl.
The good news is that there are plenty of creative, stress-free ways to make giving medication easier for both you and your dog.
Try These Clever Tricks
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A butter-covered capsule wrapped in bread. Image courtesy of Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S
Use soft, flavorful foods to hide pills: liverwurst, pill pockets or wraps, or xylitol-free peanut butter. Smearable cheese, marshmallow fluff, or a dab of butter spread around a pill, then wrapped in soft bread, can get the medication into your dog quickly and smoothly.
Try tucking the medication into a hollowed-out piece of hot dog for more determined pill detectives. The strong smell helps mask the scent of the pill and can trick even the pickiest pup.
Make It a Game
One of the most reliable methods is the meatball trick. First, give your dog a plain meatball, then one with the pill inside, and follow it with another plain one. Your dog focuses on the rhythmic treat pattern, not the medicated second ball.
Some dogs do better when medication time feels more like playtime. Sneak the pill into one treat and toss it and a few other treats in the air for your dog to catch. With the excitement of the game, your dog may swallow the pill without even thinking twice.
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Plain meatball, medicated meatball, plain meatball. Image courtesy of Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S
Another fun option is a “Go Find It” game. Hide a mix of regular treats and one medicated treat around the house or yard, then let your dog sniff them out. They stay busy and engaged, and the pill becomes just another part of the adventure.
Change the Scenery
If your dog gets suspicious in the kitchen, try giving medication somewhere unexpected. A walk, a quick treat break in the yard, or even during a play session can make medication giving less predictable. When dogs are distracted and happy, they are often more likely to accept a hidden pill without hesitation.
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Go Find it! Image courtesy of Pat Koven, BA, LVT, KPACTP, LSHC-S
Mix The Medication in Their Meal
If your dog loves their food, you can mix the pill right in. Wrap it in a small ball of peanut butter or canned food and bury it in their dinner bowl. Be sure to watch that the medicated bite does not get left behind.
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What to Try
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How It Helps
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Meatball trick
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Offers a pattern: blank-meatball, pill-meatball, blank-meatball.
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Pill wraps or liverwurst
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Moldable and tasty, perfect for hiding pills.
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Peanut butter or bread
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Sticky or soft textures help mask pills.
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Marshmallows or fluff
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Sweet, squishy options dogs tend to love.
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Hot dog chunks
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Strong scent and easy to hollow out for hiding pills.
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Toss-and-catch game
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Turns treat time into a fun distraction.
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“Go find it” game
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Makes medication part of a scent-hunting game.
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Mixed into food
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Wrap the pill and bury it in your dog’s regular meal.
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Unexpected locations
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Try giving the pill during a walk, in the yard, or after a game
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A Final Note
If you have tried everything and your dog is still refusing their medication, it may be time to check in with your veterinarian. Some dogs avoid pills because they are nauseated, in pain, or have something else going on that needs attention. Your veterinarian can help you find the best solution and make sure your dog gets the care they need.