Delicious Pill Pockets for Sneaky Pet Owners
Whether a pet has to take medication for a chronic condition or they’re recovering from an acute illness or injury, you’re probably going to have to help them swallow a few pills. For many humans and their pets, this experience is neither fun nor easy. But it can be done with some covert planning and preparation. If your pet has become wise to the commercially available pill pockets, don’t worry. You can embark on a cloak-and-dagger operation to get the job done, and we’re where to help.
No Thank You!
Pets seem to have a sixth sense for any of their human’s efforts toward medication subterfuge. They know that something’s about to happen, and they aren’t going to sit around and wait for the inevitable. While this is a common struggle between many pairs of pets and people, it doesn’t have to be.
The key to successful medication administration? Placing the pill inside a delicious treat!
Homemade Pill Pockets
Perhaps part of the problems with commercial pill pockets is that they don’t taste as good as we’d like them to. They just aren’t tasty enough to convince a pet to have one. Once keen to our trickery, pets bolt at the sight and sound of the opening packet. Plus, they add empty calories to a pet’s diet.
Critical Components for Homemade Pill Pockets
Many pet owners are surprised to learn that their pantry already has the basic ingredients for pill pockets:
- Flour (rice or all purpose wheat flour, depending on your pet’s preferences)
- Peanut butter (be sure it’s Xylitol-free)
- Milk
- Chicken broth
- Tuna or chicken
Starting with 1-2 tablespoons of flour, mix in 1 tablespoon of milk or water. Add 2 tablespoons of whatever add-on your pet favors, and measure out the bite-sized portion. Using a straw (or something similar), press a hole into the center of each portion for the pill. Chill for at least 20 minutes before adding a pill and serving.
Pills can be crushed up to sprinkle on top of pockets or mixed directly into the batter. Before doing so, however, consult with your pet’s veterinarian to understand exact dosage instructions.
A Preference for Pill Pockets
If your pet still fusses over the necessity of eating your DIY pill pockets, add any of the following to entice them:
- Small bits of cut-up hotdog
- Chopped liver
- Banana chunk
- Cheese (pets love cottage cheese and it’s low-fat!)
- Pureed sweet potato or pumpkin
- Deli meat
- Small bites of pizza crust
Making your own pill pockets allows for a fully customized experience. Since you know your pet the best, experiment with sorts of their favorite flavors to find the right combination. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at (916) 737-5670. Our team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center is always here for you!