Windy, my mini dachshund, still needs several days’ worth of medication during her recovery from HGE.

Many dog owners have to give pills throughout their furkids’ lives, and often it isn’t easy.

Vets tell you to do the “stick the pill in the mouth, close the mouth and stroke the throat to get a dog to swallow”. That never has worked for me.

Stuffing pills in hotdog pieces or coating them in peanut butter doesn’t work either. I did have a Schnauzer, Justin, who loved to take his pills in miniature marshmallows. It worked great. My vet was appalled.

My nearly no-fail technique is this: Get some lunch meat (Never ham!) or deli meat, roll the pill up in a little slice. Hold this lovely tidbit over your dog’s nose while also holding another bite in your other hand. As your furkid takes the pill tidbit, hold the other tidbit over her nose while she is chewing or swallowing the pill tidbit. The dog will stay focused on the second tidbit and eagerly want it. Give her the second tidbit. If you’re lucky, and her greed, holds, then the pill goes down on the first try.

Never let your furkid see you hide a pill in the lunchmeat. I have had dogs see this,  realize they can keep spitting the pill out, and learn they will get more meat. Smart little devils.