Are Pill Pockets bad for dogs? Here’s the Answer

Not All Foods Are Safe for Giving Pills to Dogs

While it may be tempting to just use any food you have around to get your pup to eat their medication, that is not always a safe bet. Different types of foods can have different impacts on the efficacy of the medication, and they can have detrimental health impacts for dogs with certain conditions.

Always be sure to talk to your veterinarian prior to choosing a type of food for delivering your pet’s medications so that you can be sure it is safe.

Bananas can be an acceptable way to hide pills for your pet, but they are high in sugar, says integrative veterinarian Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM, who owns Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center & Pet Clinic. “If your dog is a diabetic or is suffering from [a particular] illness, bananas may not be the best choice,” Dr. Osborne says.

Bananas should also not be used for dogs that have potassium-regulation problems or are on prescription pet medication for blood pressure or heart disease, says Dr. Jess Trimble, DVM, Head of Health at Fuzzy Pet Health. “The potassium in bananas has a possibility of affecting the effectiveness of certain medications,” Dr. Trimble explains.

Cheese might work for some dog medications, especially if you use softer cheeses that you can mold around pills, says Dr. Trimble. “It’s important to give a small amount to your pet first before trying it with a pill—some pets are lactose intolerant or can have vomiting and diarrhea from dairy products,” says Dr. Trimble. “Cheese can also be high in fat too, so remember to use only enough to get the pill covered and decrease [the number of] other treats.”

The same goes for cream cheese. “Cream cheese, as a dairy product, has a higher likelihood of causing stomach upset, so use the smallest amount possible to hide the pill—if you have to use more than ½ teaspoon, find a different method,” advises Dr. Trimble.

If your pet should avoid high-fat food as a part of their illness, then you may want to skip the cheese completely.

Also keep in mind that dairy products can negatively affect other medications, like dog antibiotics.

“Calcium-rich foods, like dairy products, can interfere with some medications,” says Dr. Trimble. “Specifically, some antibiotics can bind to the calcium in dairy products; once bound to the calcium, the antibiotics can no longer be absorbed in the intestines, making the antibiotic useless.”

So, if you’re giving prescription pet antibiotics, avoid using cheese, yogurt or other calcium-rich foods to hide the pills.

Peanut butter can sometimes be a good option for giving a dog pills, and the creamy kind can be more effective. “Peanut butter especially can be tough for pets to lick off and spit out the pill—just check the label to ensure there is no xylitol or other sugar substitutes starting in ‘xy-,’ as those sugar substitutes are toxic to dogs,” says Dr. Trimble.

You should not use peanut butter if your pet needs to avoid high-fat foods, says Dr. Osborne.

Using meats to hide pills can be tricky. “Never use raw meats to hide pills—the risk of bacterial contamination is high,” says Dr. Trimble. “A bit of cooked, plain chicken or a small meatball made of cooked, drained ground beef or turkey can work well.”

Deli and lunch meats, sausages and hotdogs are never good options, as they are very high in salt and preservatives, according to Dr. Osborne.

How to Use a Pill Pocket

Hold the pill pocket in one hand and place your dogs pill or capsule in the center pocket of the treat. Pinch it closed with your hand that hasnt touched the medication (to avoid transferring the pill scent and taste to the outside of the pocket) and feed the sealed pill pocket to your dog like its a treat.

Ready to leave the drama behind and help your pooch take his meds in a stress-free (and tasty) way? These pill pockets should do the trick.

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Greenies Pill Pockets for Dogs Review

If you live with a dog, it is likely that at some point, you will be faced with the dreaded task of having to administer medication. Even some of the most cooperative dogs object to having pills shoved down their throat, and who wouldn’t? So, to disguise the pills, you carefully hide their medication in peanut butter. But of course, they figure out how to meticulously clean all the peanut butter off the pill and then leave it on the carpet for you to step on—or even worse, hide it under the couch. Many dogs initially will take pills wrapped in the infamous “American Cheese,” but eventually, they run for the hills when they hear the crinkle of the package.

Specialty compounding pharmacies are popping up to address the need for tasty ways to get meds into dogs. They offer flavored liquids and tablets, tiny capsules, transdermal creams, and even injectable meds. Some of these items can be costly, so naturally, pet parents look for other ways to medicate their pets. Commercially sold pill pockets are a popular option. But for something a little more natural and healthy, especially when your dog takes daily medications for long periods, a homemade pill pocket will do the trick.

There are countless creative homegrown ways to get medications where they need to go. To keep your dog off guard: Vary the medicated food, change the timing of the medication (if possible), and alternate the pill “laced” foods with plain food.

Homemade pill pockets are easy to create. There’s a wide variety of foods that can become your next pill pocket. Use foods your dog really loves. Monopolize on textures of foods and chill foods for better pill holding properties. Most important, act like they are getting the best treat in the world. Have them sit, do tricks, and then hand off the medication-laden treat to your unsuspecting very happy pup.