It's common to have a dog who puts up a fight when taking medicine. Maybe they're a picky eater or can't seem to stay still for long enough, but it's important that the medicine your veterinarian has prescribed goes down. Here are three effective techniques that can help your dog take their pills without a fight. 

How Can You Help Your Dog Take Their Medicine? 

1. A Spoonful of Peanut Butter

If your dog needs to take a pill that can be crushed or ground up, a spoonful of peanut butter can be the perfect disguise. Peanut butter's creamy texture and rich flavor help to mask any bitter taste or texture from your dog's medicine. With their keen sense of smell, dogs can smell medicine, but peanut butter tends to overpower it. Try to place a scoop on your dog's food or hold out the spoon to lick off. Make sure your peanut butter contains no xylitol (also known as birch sugar).

2. Canned Food

Most dogs are so excited to get some canned food that they'll swallow the pill without noticing it. The trick is to roll the canned food into meatballs and hand feed them - a few without pills, the loaded meatball, and a few more.  

3. Trick With Treats 

Give your dog a few of their favorite treats in a row before introducing their medicine in the same way. They may not even notice that you've slipped something else in, as they'll be too excited about the next incoming treats. This is an especially good strategy if you routinely have your dog catch treats that you toss, as tossing in their medication won't phase them. If your dog catches on to the pill, coat it in butter or hide it inside a marshmallow. Marshmallows are a great choice for food-sensitive dogs. There are also soft treats designed to wrap around a pill available at the pet store - the trick is to make sure that you use the hand that didn't touch the pill to close up the pocket of the treat so your smart pooch can't smell the pill residue on the outside.

If you are looking for a veterinarian and animal hospital in Cincinnati, OH, choose Montgomery Animal Hospital. For over 75 years, this AAHA accredited veterinarian has provided health care to not only your dogs and cats, but your ferrets, reptiles, birds, and rabbits, too. From surgery to radiographic images, they're there for you and your pet. Call them today at (513) 791-7912 to schedule an appointment, and visit their website for more information.