Have you ever had to give your dog pills? If so, you know it can be a difficult task. For many dogs, just the sight of a pill bottle is enough to send them running. It’s ironic when you think about it. Many dogs will dine on grass, go dumpster diving, or lick up a little toilet water with no problem. Some even eat their own poop (yuck!). But a pill? Heavens no! Not that!

If your pup refuses to take a pill, you may have tried that method of opening up their mouth, dropping the pill into the back of their throat, and then holding their mouth shut until they swallow the pill. But, that’s not a very pleasant experience … for you or your pup!

But there is a way you can make pill time less stressful. Enter: Pill pockets!

Pill Pockets: Turning Pill Time Into Treat Time

Since dogs are food-driven creatures, they’ll usually scarf down a treat without realizing (or caring) there’s medicine hiding inside. While you can find commercial pill pockets at your local pet store, one look at the ingredient label and you’ll realize they aren’t the healthiest choice. Instead, you can make them yourself!

This pill pocket dog treat recipe calls for only 3 ingredients, is easy to make, and dogs love them!

Pill Pockets Printable Recipe

Healthy Pill Pockets For Dogs

Print Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

2 tablespoons lean ground chicken, you can also use ground turkey or ground beef
1 tablespoon canned salmon, plain and in water
1 teaspoon quick oats

Method

Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a mixing bowl, use your hands to thoroughly combine all ingredients.
Pinch off a small amount of the meat mixture and roll it into a mini, bite-size meatball. Transfer to the baking sheet. *Since these treats are meant to hold and disguise your dog's pills, you won't break them apart before serving. So, to avoid a choking risk, make sure to keep these meatballs small!
Using a toothpick, carve out a hole in each mini-meatball. Make the hole thick and deep enough for a pill to fit inside. But, don't poke the hole all the way through or the pill will just fall out the other side.
Bake for about 20 minutes. Once the timer goes off, let the pill pocket treats cool on the baking sheet.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Any remaining pill pockets can be frozen!