We had a dog that needed to take antibiotics after surgery and we would wrap the pill in a piece of cheese to give it to her. Of course, she always knew there was a pill hidden in there and she would eat the cheese and spit out the pill. Every. Time. Does this sound like your dog too? Luckily they now have pill pockets for dogs that can make giving your dog their medicine a little bit easier.
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What Are Pill Pockets For Dogs?
Pill pockets for dogs, also known as pill pouches, are soft, moldable treats with an opening at one or both ends that allow you to hide a pill inside.
They come in various flavors that are enticing to dogs such as:
- Cheese.
- Chicken.
- Bacon.
- Smoked Hickory.
By putting the medicine inside the treat, the taste and smell of the medicine is decreased, making your dog more likely to take it.
What Kind Of Pills Do Pill Pockets Hold?
Pill pockets are able to hold both tablets and capsules.
When looking to buy pill pouches for your dog, some are designed to hold tablets, some are designed to hold capsules, and others can be molded to fit both kinds of pills.
If you happen to buy pouches that are too small for the pills your dog needs to take, you can always use two pouches to mold over the pill. Just be sure not to go over the recommended amount of pouches your dog should have in a day.
Who Should Use Pill Pockets?
Pill pockets are great to use for all dogs including:
- Dogs that have a hard time taking pills.
- Pups that spit pills out.
- Doggos that can only have soft treats due to medical issues or old age.
How Do Pill Pockets Work?
The key to using pill pockets is to very carefully place the pill inside the pocket.
If the medicine touches the outside of the pouch, your dog will now smell the medicine on it and may not take it.
It is important not to touch the outside of the pocket with the hand that touched the medicine because, again, the smell of the medicine can be transferred to the pocket.
What Are The Types Of Pill Pouches Available?
There are essentially two types of pill pouches available to try for your dog: formed pouches and paste.
Formed Pouches
Formed pouches look like dog treats, and in fact can be given to your dog as a treat if you prefer.
They have an opening at one or both ends for you to place the pill into and then mold around the pill.
Pros:
- No mess.
- Easy to use.
- Prepackaged.
Cons:
- Need to be careful about how you put the pill inside the pouch.
- Dogs may not like the taste.
- May not fit the size of the pills your dog is taking.
Paste
A paste is another option available. This comes in a jar and allows for you to scoop out the amount of paste you need to cover your dog’s pills. You can use as much or as little as you want.
Pros:
- You determine how much you use.
- Easy to use.
- Can fit any size pills.
Cons:
- Can be a little messy.
- May go through it quickly if you use large quantities.
- May get hard if you don’t use it often once it’s opened.
Do Pill Pouches For Dogs Really Work?
Pill pouches are a great alternative to wrapping a pill with cheese or covering it with sticky peanut butter.
Do they work for all dogs? No. There will always be dogs that dislike the taste or who will find a way to spit out the pill.
But for dogs who you have a hard time giving pills to, pill pouches are a great way to try to get them to take it.
Are Pill Pockets Good For Dogs?
Pill pockets are fine to give to your dog as long as you don’t give them too many in one day.
How Many Pill Pouches Should A Dog Eat In One Day?
The amount of pill pockets your dog should eat in one day is determined by the weight of your dog.
It is best to follow the recommendations of the manufacturer.
If you have any questions about how much your dog can safely take in one day, speak to your veterinarian.
Can You Put Pills In Pill Pockets Ahead Of Time?
It is not a good idea to put pills in pill pockets ahead of time.
One reason is that once the pill pouches are out of the bag they may start to get hard and then be difficult for your dog to chew or swallow.
Another reason is that it is best to keep your dog’s pills in their bottles until they are ready to be taken, so as not to affect their effectiveness.
Best Pill Pouches For Dogs
Here are the top 5 pill pouches for dogs. We have included both formed pill pockets and paste so you can choose which one is best for your dog and the type of pills they are taking. Product information is according to the manufacturer.
Greenies Pill Pockets
These are available in various flavors and come in two sizes to hold either a tablet or capsule.
- Available in multiple flavors:
- Chicken.
- Peanut Butter.
- Hickory Smoke.
- Cheese.
- Comes in a capsule size and tablet size.
- Designed to hide the smell and taste of pills.
- Made with natural ingredients.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Amazon, Chewy, Petco, Petsmart, Walmart
Milk Bone Pill Pouches
These pouches from Milk Bone can hold both tablets and capsules and come in two flavors.
- Available in multiple flavors:
- Chicken.
- Hickory Smoked Bacon.
- No by-product meal.
- No artificial flavors.
- Fits capsules and tablets.
- Designed to hide the taste and smell of pills.
- Made in the USA from globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Amazon, Chewy, Walmart
Ventique Labs Gulpz Pill Hiding Probiotic Treats
These pill pockets have probiotics to help combat stomach issues that commonly arise when dog’s take medication and are wheat and corn free.
- Contains probiotics, ginger, and antioxidants.
- Corn free.
- Soy free.
- Wheat free.
- No artificial ingredients.
- Contains no preservatives.
- Made in the USA.
Check Price At: Chewy, Petco, Walmart
Zesty Paws Pill Wrap Probiotic Paste
This paste from Zesty Paws also contains probiotics to help with any stomach problems that may arise from medications and is NASC certified.
- Bacon flavor.
- Contains probiotics.
- Can hide pills, capsules, and tablets.
- No artificial flavors.
- Preservative free.
- No synthetic colors.
- Corn free.
- Soy free.
- NASC certified.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Check Price At: Amazon, Petsmart, Walmart
PetMD Wrap A Pill
This paste from PetMD comes in multiple flavors.
- Available in various flavors:
- Cheese and Bacon.
- Peanut Butter.
- Bacon.
- Hides the taste and smell of medication.
- Made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients.
Our dogs are smart and know when we try to trick them into taking pills. Pill pockets for dogs help to make that a little bit easier by allowing you to mold the treat around the pill so your dog is more likely to take it without spitting it out. It is worth a try if your dog is stubborn like ours!
Please check out our other posts on Health, Indoor, Outdoor, and Travel accessories for your dog, as well as Reviews of various products and travel destinations.