If you’re here seeking advice on how to give a dog a pill, it’s likely you have a pill ninja pup on your hands. Otherwise, you’d effortlessly slip the pill in, right?
In a perfect world, it should be that easy, as demonstrated by vet techs or the dogs on YouTube. It’s how we used to give pills to our dog Emmett years ago—simple, without a fuss. But then came Cooper.
Cooper is the epitome of a dog that’s impossible to pill. He’s the master of pretending to swallow the pill, only to walk away and discreetly spit it out in some undisclosed location. Later, during a routine vacuuming session, you stumble upon the remnants of his cunning trick.
So, if you’re wondering how to give a dog a pill, especially when conventional techniques fail, I’ve got some creative ideas to share.
Quick Back Story Cooper takes daily medication for allergies and arthritis. These pills follow a straightforward routine, which I’ll outline below. However, recently, he battled a systemic infection that lasted for months, requiring multiple medications with bad tastes, specific administration methods, frequent dosages, and more. He reached his limit.
We had to get creative. Below, I’ll discuss five of the more successful approaches we tried and how each fared. While some were more effective than others, they all offered some degree of success, and I hope they might assist you and your pill ninja as well. Let’s dive in!
Here’s How to Give a Dog a Pill When Your Dog is a Pill Ninja:
Bait and Switch / Catch
This technique was suggested by a vet tech. The idea is to use pill pockets because most dogs consider them delightful treats. Begin by tossing an empty pill pocket to your dog. Repeat this several times. Then, toss another empty one, followed by one with the pill inside. The goal is to keep your dog busy catching treats to distract them from the pill. Cooper caught on initially but soon stopped catching treats altogether.
Success rate: Low
Stuffed Bugles
Cooper’s primary veterinarian suggested this method. Purchase Bugles, those familiar cone-shaped snacks. Dogs can differentiate textures, and using a soft treat with a hard pill inside can make it easier for the pup to extract the pill. Instead, place the pill inside a Bugle and stuff the top with cream cheese. Cooper enjoyed the chip and cream cheese, but some of his pills were too large for Bugles.
Success rate: Medium
Request a Different Compound
While not a trick, this is a crucial strategy for challenging dogs. Not all medications are amenable to this approach, so consult your vet. If your pill comes in one form, such as a powder, inquire whether the same medication can be compounded into a cream. Many medications offer various options. In the past, Lucas received a medication that could be compounded into a cream, sparing us the hassle of oral administration. Additionally, inquire whether you can grind up your dog’s pill. This isn’t suitable for all medications, but it’s worth asking. Currently, Cooper’s arthritis medication is available in powder form, which we combine with the next technique, making it easy to administer three times a day.
Success rate: High
Wet Food Sandwich
For Cooper’s arthritis pill, which can be opened and sprinkled, we spread a layer of wet food from The Farmer’s Dog on a plate. Then, we sprinkle the powder on top and cover it with another layer of wet food, creating a “sandwich” where the wet food acts as the “bread.” Cooper eagerly consumes it this way. He typically eats kibble for breakfast and dinner, so the fresh food serves as a special treat. If you use your dog’s regular food, this method may not be as effective.
Success rate: High
Meatballs
Bake meatballs from your dog’s favorite protein, considering their dietary needs. Instead of fresh meat, which doesn’t fit Cooper’s restrictive diet, we created meatballs from TFD (The Farmer’s Dog) fresh food. Here’s the trick: inspired by an internet dog mom, we began freezing pills inside baby food. We adapted this idea with TFD, and it worked reasonably well, likely due to the texture difference.
Success rate: Medium
5 Quick Tips for Pilling Success
Here are some lessons we’ve learned about giving pills to pill ninja dogs:
- Change It Up: Avoid using the same method repeatedly. Dogs catch on quickly, so mix it up.
- Surprise Your Dog: Administer pills in different locations to catch your dog off guard. If your pup expects a pill every time you go to the kitchen and open the cupboard, they’ll catch on fast. Try tossing a meatball in the backyard or discreetly offering a pill pocket treat during your walk.
- Ensure Swallowing: Confirm that your dog actually swallows the pill. Many pills have been found in dog beds, under appliances, or even in your own bed. Cooper doesn’t walk away until we’re certain he’s swallowed his pill.
- Create Positive Associations: Incorporate treats, praise, snuggles, fetch, or whatever makes your dog happy into pill time. Make it a positive experience.
- Make It Desirable: Reserve your dog’s most beloved snacks and treats exclusively for pill time. If your dog adores squeeze cheese, use it exclusively for pill administration until the medication course is complete. If meatballs are a hit, save them for pill time and nothing else.
