Quick and Easy Way to Help Dogs to Take Their Pills

This post may contain affiliate links.

How to Get a Dog to Take a Pill

Learn how to get a dog to take a pill! Unfortunately, we all get sick, even our pets. This quick and easy method works for both solid and liquid medication.

It’s not often that I have to give my dog a pill, but when I do, it’s a fight to the death! I end up with scrapes and drool on me with the pill batted halfway across the room rather than in their tummy. So I came up with this quick and easy way to administer medication that works for solid pills or liquid medications.

How to Get a Dog to Take a Pill

This is a very simple and effective way to help you and your dog.

The Recipe

  • 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons chicken broth
  • and 2 tablespoons flour

Mix all the ingredients together to form a dough. Roll out on a floured board and cut into small rectangles. Roll into a tube and pinch the bottom closed. This will form a vessel with an open end. Store in an airtight container and use within a few weeks. You can also store these in the refrigerator for a few weeks.

Using Your Dog Pill Tubes

To use your tubes, place a pill on the inside, pinch the top closed, and feed to your dog. To use for liquid medications follow the same procedure but keep upright the entire time before pinching the top closed. If administering a large dose it may be helpful to split the dosage into two parts.

Crunchy or Smooth Peanut Butter?

This is entirely up to you, and your dog, of course. Try a few to see what they think. Be sure that your peanut butter is natural and contains no added sweeteners. While honey is fine, some peanut butter brands contain xylitol which can be toxic to dogs.[1] I prefer to make my own by grinding peanuts in a food processor.

Other Butters for Your Dog Pill Tubes?

Can you substitute other types of nut butter? Yes, but remember that some dogs have problems digesting almonds, so be aware of what your dog can eat. Also, remember that all types of nut butter are heavy in fat. Although they are good fats, they can still cause weight gain in dogs.

Chicken Broth Substitutes?

If you prefer not to use chicken broth, you can substitute most milk alternatives or even water. Again, be aware of what your dog can and cannot eat. A small amount of soy or almond milk should be fine.

Flour Substitutes?

Most flours are ok for dogs in this small amount. I prefer whole wheat flour but have used other flours in the past. One time I was able to find pumpkin powder. My dog Misty loved it! Try different things to be sure of what your dog likes. And when using things like coconut flour that are super absorbent be aware that they may require more liquid.

More Tips for Getting Dogs to Take Pills

  1. Using crunchy peanut butter helps disguise the crunchiness of the pill.
  2. Make sure not to roll the dough to thin otherwise the dog may become privy to your trick!
  3. Try giving a few of the treats to the dog without a pill first so they can get a liking for them.

Have you tried our homemade dog shampoo?

Have you tried a sneaky way to give your dog their medications? Let us know!

*******

Sources

  1. Ahna Brutlag. Xylitol Toxicity in Dogs. 2015.
Avatar photo

About Debra Maslowski

Debra is a master gardener, a certified herbalist, a natural living instructor, and more. She taught Matt and Betsy how to make soap so they decided to bring her on as a staff writer! Debra recently started an organic herb farm in the mountains of Western North Carolina. You can even purchase her handmade products on Amazon!

PAID ENDORSEMENT DISCLOSURE: In order for us to support our website activities, we may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this website.

DISCLAIMER: Information on DIY Naturalâ„¢ is not reviewed or endorsed by the FDA and is NOT intended to be substituted for the advice of your health care professional. If you rely solely upon this advice you do so at your own risk. Read full Disclaimer & Disclosure statements here.

Comments

  1. Avatar photoBecky says

    I have five dachshunds who are so eager to grab and swallow whatever I’m offering, before the others can get to it, I’ve discovered the easiest way in the world to get them to take pills.

    I wrap the pill in a small piece of cheese, meat, or whatever so it’s completely hidden. I then take a second small piece of the wrapping-material in hand….

    The technique is simple – hold the wrapped pill in front of the target dog’s mouth and as soon as s/he has it in the mouth, present the second piece to the same dog. S/he is so busy trying to keep the others from getting it, the pill is swallowed and forgotten – and nobody takes the time to chew such a tiny morsel!

    If the dog is REALLY sick and not feeling like eating, the process becomes a bit more difficult – the competition needs to be excluded, and the pill winds up being stuffed down the throat, which is then stroked until the dog swallows. But if the dog’s appetite is anything like ‘normal,’ the above method works quite well.

  2. Avatar photoMartin says

    Some years ago when visiting England we discovered plain cheese in a tube (Primula I think the brand is called). Tastes disgusting (my opinion) but our two dogs love it. The cry of ‘mediciiiine’ and opening the fridge door to get the cheese tube out brings them running. The cheese is gooey enough (!) you can embed a tablet in it and bingo, two (maximum) slurps and medicine in dog. Kept in the fridge it will last for ages. We buy in bulk when in the UK and freeze the tubes.