7 Best Pill Pockets for Dogs

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If your dog doesn’t take their pills without a fuss, our list of the best pill pockets for dogs will save you and your pup a heap of trouble. After all, dogs are far more apt to eat a yummy snack than a pill, so a tasty pill pocket or paste can be the trick you need to get your dog dosed!

Pill pockets are soft and flexible with a hollow center, so you won’t have to get crafty with smeary peanut butter, crumbly cheese, or even mushy bread. Just stick it in the pocket, pinch it, and feed it to your dog. And if you opt for pill paste, simply wrap some around the pill and toss it to your waiting pup.

Whether your pet has a taste for peanut butter, prefers crunchy treats, or has a top-notch nose that picks up even the slightest pill smell, we’ve found a pill pouch to suit your needs. But before we get into reviews of the best pill pockets, let’s answer your pill pocket questions and talk about what factors should be considered before you choose an option.

Frequently Asked Questions about Best Pill Pockets for Dogs

Do Pill Pockets Have Nutritional Value?

Yes, some pill pockets and pastes have nutritional value, depending on the brand. Some may contain added minerals and nutrients, making them rich in beneficial nutrients and low in calories and fat. They may even contain probiotics to help your pet maintain a healthy gut. If your dog is on a restrictive diet, study the label of your pill pockets and check that their nutritional content aligns with your pup’s needs.

Do Pill Pockets Work for Dogs?

The short answer is yes. Dogs are smart and know when you’re trying to give them medicine. Pill pockets make the dosing much easier by enticing your pup with tasty flavors and smells they recognize as food.

Which Pill Pocket Flavor is Best?

Pill pockets are designed with unique flavors, so dogs are willing to chomp them down. Bacon, chicken, and peanut butter are among the more popular choices, as these aromatic flavors are big hits with most dogs.

How Long Does It Take for a Dog to Digest Pill Pockets?

Typically, most pill pockets are digested within 20-30 minutes of oral administration, meaning the medicine inside the pocket is also being absorbed.

Buying Guides: What To Look For In The Best Pill Pockets for Dogs

Most dogs hate taking pills, even those that aren’t usually fussy. That’s why pill pockets for dogs are a lifesaver when administering your pooch’s medication at home. However, while most tend to do the job well, there are a few factors to consider before randomly purchasing a bag.

Pill Pocket or Pill Paste

First, you’ll need to decide whether you’d like to use a pocket or paste for disguising medicines. With either option being a winner for masking medicines, if your dog uses powdered or liquid medicine, you may want to consider pastes for easier hiding. But pockets mean less handling for you. So if you’re looking for less of a mess, maybe go with a pocket.

Pill Pocket Size

Consider the size of your dog and the size of the pill you are trying to hide—a small pill pocket will not completely hide a large pill, and if you have a picky dog, he’ll notice the meds. If you have a large dog or are hiding a bigger pill, consider using two pill pockets pressed together or opt for a paste.

Pill Pocket Flavor 

Want to make sure your pet swallows the pill? Choose a flavor they will like to increase your chances of success. Whether it’s cheese, smoky bacon, classic chicken, or creamy peanut butter, you’ll have no trouble finding something to suit your pup’s palate.

Pill Pocket Calorie Content 

Pill pockets should be relatively low in calories. This is important for dogs who take pills daily, especially older dogs who may need to watch their weight and calorie intake. And you’ll notice we’ve included calorie content in our reviews of the best pill pockets for dogs. You’ll see pockets listed with kcal or calories per pocket, but the terms are interchangeable, and both mean the same thing. Kcals are just another way makers list calorie content.

Trusted Pill Pocket Brands

Only buy pill pockets and treats from trusted brands and companies. This guarantees quality materials and safe production. Many leading dog food makers also sell pill pockets for dogs, allowing you to stay brand-consistent.

Now, let’s review the best pill pockets for dogs!

The Best Pill Pockets for Dogs

#1 – Best Tasting Pill Pockets – iHeartDogs Probiotic Pill Paste Wrap 

These best pill pouches contain probiotics! Probiotics are especially beneficial for your dog’s digestive system when they’re on medication. With iHeartDogs Happy, Hide-A-Pill with Healthy™ Probiotic, you can easily dose your dog and help their gut. And because it’s a paste, not a preformed pocket, you can easily shape it around medication, vitamins, or supplements.

It works with any medicine form, whether pill, tablet, powder, or liquid. The delicious bacon and chicken flavor leads your dog to believe it’s a tasty treat, which means you won’t have to fight when it comes to meds.

Key Features:

• Helps promote healthy bacteria, improving digestion, intestinal balance, and a strong immune defense
• Coconut oil and sunflower oil promote healthy energy levels and overall physical health
• Also includes natural rosemary extract, oat flour, and probiotics
• Made in the USA
• Money back guarantee
•  Save 5% on auto-ship
• Every jar of pill paste sold feeds 12 shelter dogs
• Calorie content: 10.743 kcal per serving size 

Pros

• Easy to use
• Rich chicken and bacon flavor
• Low calorie
• Probiotics to support your dog’s digestive system

Cons

• Crumbles easily when allowed to dry out but still gets the job done

Related: Best Skin & Coat Supplements For Dogs

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#2 – VETRISCIENCE Laboratories Pinchers Pill Hiding Pocket Treats

Medication can be hard on tummies, so like our previous listing, VETRISCIENCE Pinchers Pill Hiding Pocket Treats also include probiotics to counter sensitive stomach issues. Hollow in the middle, these dog pill pockets can hold tablets, pills, or capsules of almost any size. And the choice of flavors, Chicken Liver or Organic Peanut Butter, will appeal to the most discerning dogs. Plus, the chicken liver flavor’s strong aroma and taste work well to hide the smell and taste of the medicine inside.

Key Features:

• Made with probiotics to support your dog’s digestive and immune health
• Fit most pills, tablets, and capsules
• Two flavors: Organic Peanut Butter and Chicken Liver
• Won’t leave your fingers greasy and sticky
• Calorie content: 10 calories per pocket

Pros

• Immune and digestive health
• Just ten calories per treat
• Chicken liver flavor disguises meds well
• Less greasy than most

Cons

• Might need to use two for bigger pills

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#3 –  GREENIES Pill Pockets Natural Dog Treats

This choice of best pill pockets for dogs is perfect for dogs who need to take the medication in a larger pocket as they’re slightly larger than other pill hiders. Greenies Pill Pockets are also great because they mask the smell of medication, so even the most observant pup won’t know there’s a pill in their yummy treat! And available in four flavors, you’ll find an option that appeases even the pickiest pups.

Key Features:

• #1 ingredient is real chicken
• Pill pockets that turn pill time into treat time
• Just fill, pinch, and give
• Four flavors: Chicken, Hickory Smoke, Peanut Butter, Cheese
• Made with natural ingredients plus trace nutrients
• Proudly crafted in US facilities with quality ingredients from around the world
• Calorie content: 10 kcals per treat 

Pros

• Popular and trusted brand
• Made with all-natural ingredients
• Available in 4 flavors for all tastes
• Made in the USA
• Veterinarian recommended
• Easy to use

Cons

• Slightly more expensive than other brands

Related: Best Muscle-Building Supplements for Dogs

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#4 – Milk-Bone Pill Dog Treats

A name you know that’s been crafting dog treats for decades, Milkbone brings you an easy solution to medicine administration with their Pill Pouches. They’re soft, delicious, and taste like a regular treat. And you’ll find chicken is always the first ingredient, while recipes never contain by-products, meals, or artificial flavors. Choose from Chicken or Hickory Smoked Bacon flavors. Shaped like a cube, just stuff the pill in the hole in the center and give it a squish! That easily, your dog will wolf down their medicine inside one of these best pill pockets for dogs.

Key Features:

• Milkbone is a brand you know and trust
• Helps conceal the taste and smell of medication inside
• Fits most capsules and tablets
• Great-tasting and mess-free
• No by-products, meals, or artificial flavors
• Lower calorie alternative to cheese and peanut butter
• Calorie content: 19 calories per pocket 

Pros

• Savory, rich flavor most dogs enjoy
• Easy to disguise thanks to larger size
• Real meat is the first ingredient
• 125 treats included per bag; perfect for multi-pet households

Cons

• Some reviewers complain of dryness that causes the cube to lose shape
• Not the lowest calorie content

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#5 – Pet MD Wrap A Pill Paste for Dogs

 

Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill takes the stress out of pill time because dogs think this tasty paste eats like a treat! This yummy flavored pill paste is ideal when you have extra-large pills or capsules to hide because you can easily mold it around whatever you’re working with. Pinch off as much or as little as you need! It also makes a great way to serve liquid or powder meds too. Pill pastes can be an excellent option for dogs without teeth or dental problems as it’s soft and not sticky. In other words, perfect for older dogs!

Key Features:

• Adapts to any size pill, tablet, or capsule
• Soft and malleable – texture similar to cookie dough
• Perfect for elderly dogs or dogs with teeth issues
• Three flavor choices: Bacon, Peanut Butter, and Cheese & Bacon
• One container contains 59 servings
• Calorie content: 9 calories per serving amount 

Pros

• Easy to use
• Great taste in either bacon or peanut butter
• A small amount goes a long way
• Covers meds of any make and size

Cons

• Can be sticky

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#6 – TOMLYN Pill-Masker

 

As a brand and product recommended by Cat Daddy Jackson Galaxy, you can trust Tomlyn Pill-Masker to get the job done! This putty pill paste is moist, flavorful, and easily malleable to cover any pill shape or size. Plus, the delicious bacon flavor will draw in your dog for dosing. For pups that aren’t too picky, a thin layer is usually enough for masking. More finicky dogs may need a thicker layer to mask the taste and smell of medication. It can also be used as a reward when training dogs.

Key Features:

• Fits all pill shapes and sizes, powders, and liquids
• Highly-palatable bacon flavor
• Easy to administer
• Contains 50 servings in one container
• Can be used with dogs and cats
• Backed by Jackson Galaxy, a trusted animal-behavior expert
• Calorie content: 6.2 kcal per pinch

Pros

• Enticing bacon flavor
• Made with natural ingredients
• Low price for high quantity
• Suitable for small dogs
• Works for any size pill or other medicine forms
• Can be used as treats

Cons

• Only comes in one flavor
• High in fat

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#7 Easiest to Shape Pill Pockets –Vetoquinol Pill Wrap

 

Vetoquinol Pill Wrap is a moist, juicy, delicious, and malleable paste that makes giving your furry friend medicine a breeze. It’s full of flavor and can be molded to fit any medication, whether tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid. Vetoquinol USA is a proud member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), so you can trust that it formulates its pastes with only food-grade ingredients. It is available in a 4-ounce container that provides about fifty-six servings.

Key Features:

• A versatile wrap that fits over any shape, type, and size of medicine
• Made of food-grade ingredients
• One four oz. container can cover approximately 56 pills
• Used by veterinarians and behaviorists
• A great option that works for both dogs and cats
• Even picky eaters love the highly palatable taste
• Calorie content: unlisted 

Pros

• Can fit pills of any size
• Natural and healthy ingredients
• Mess-free and tasty wraps
• Around 56 pockets per container

Cons

• High price tag
• Unspecified flavor

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Make Medication Time Stress-Free

Not all pill pockets are the same, so choosing one that’s low in calories, made with quality ingredients, and appealing to your dog’s taste buds is essential. Some even offer added benefits like probiotics or vitamins, making them a healthier choice.

Before introducing a new pill pocket, check the ingredient list and consult with your vet if your dog has dietary restrictions. With the right option, you can make medication time a stress-free and enjoyable part of your pup’s routine!

iHeartDogs is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.