Introduction: Give Your Dog Medicine Without a Fuss
A lot of people don't know how to give their dog medicine. It you give a dog a plain pill, they will spit it out. If you try and shove it down their throat, they will struggle and fight... But if you turn it into a tasty treat, they will be really happy to eat it!
This instructable shows how I turn my dogs pills into a special treat. I call it "the cheese method". If you don't want your dog to have cheese, other methods include: slathering it with peanut butter, serving it in a dollop of yogurt, or inserting it into a little chunk of meat. They also make a prduct called "pill pockets" that you can buy at pet stores, but they are expensive and you have to go out of your way to get them.
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
You will need:
*medicine
*a piece of cheese
*a plate
*a microwave
Step 2: Prepare Your Ingredients
For a smaller dog or smaller pill, you might want to use only half a slice. I have a huge dog who needed a couple pills, so I used almost a whole slice. Tear it into pieces and stack them on a plate.
Also open your pill bottles, so the medicine is ready to go.
Step 3: Melt the Cheese
Put the plate into the microwave for 10 seconds
Step 4: Add the Pills and Form the Cheese Balls
Put the pills in the middle of the melted cheese pile, and scoop the cheese from the edges up and over it. Roll it into a ball like you would do with cookie dough or meatballs.
By now your dog will be anticipating a treat and waiting eagerly for it
Step 5: Give Your Dog the Cheeseball
Feed the cheese ball to your dog. Now you have a happy healthy dog.
38 Comments
7 years ago
It worked! I was afraid that he would spit out the pill, but he ate the whole thing in one gulp. Thanks!
10 years ago on Introduction
Cheddar cheese melt idea worked like a charm first time. I hope for same results tomorrow. Thanks for sharing all these creative ideas.
16 years ago on Introduction
my dog eats the cheese and spits out the pill
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Do you melt it or just wrap it? That's why I melt it - you can't eat around the pill if it's melted on.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
I'm surprised the heat doesn't affect the pills
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Next time he needs pills maybe ill try melting it
16 years ago on Introduction
I use hotdogs. Just cut off a small piece and drive the pill in as deep as possible. Works every time.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
best idea :)
16 years ago on Introduction
Cheese is not good for dogs. They don't have the enzymes to handle the lactose. I use a glob of peanut butter. Not only do dogs love it, but it'd good for their coat.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Yeah I know they say cheese is bad for dogs, but it's one of the only treats my dog truely enjoys, and it doesn't seem to bother her stomach. When we give her peanut butter treats she just spits them back out
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
+1 yeah. sorry but i give my dog what he likes, in proportion like anything but yeah. i give him cheese, chicken bones, chocolate, he even likes to chew mango seeds (weird) and he is a healthy athletic boy at 7 years
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Cheese from cows has the lactose dogs don't have enzymes for. But they're suckers for goats milk which is fortunatley okay for them. I had to hand feed puppied and all the resources and vets I found and spoke to suggested a recipe containing condensed/evaporated goats milk. So I imagine cream cheese and other goat derived cheeses would be fine.
Reply 16 years ago on Introduction
Yeah, I use peanut butter also.
13 years ago on Introduction
I use mini marshmellows for my dogs and cats. It works.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
:O
11 years ago on Introduction
So what the heck do I do with liquid meds?!? He goes berserk as soon as he sees the syringe...
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
blindfold. Sorry no i have no idea. other than...duct tape. Or in reality taking him for a long walk so he's pooped and easier to manage
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Mix them with chicken broth.
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
I always use peanut butter to give my dogs their meds. I place the pill inside and even though they know the pill is there, they just keep licking. I would assume you could mix the liquid in with some peanut butter. At least that's what I would try.
11 years ago on Introduction
Sorry, I can't help myself- Your dog is just to cute! How old is he?
I have a 3 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback who is snoring away right next to me :)
Great tutorial. Very clever ^_^ xox