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If your dog won’t take their pills without a fuss, our list of the best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers will save you both a heap of trouble. After all, Golden Retrievers are far more apt to eat a yummy snack than a pill, so a tasty pill pocket or paste can be just 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, and feed it to your dog. And if you opt for pill paste, simply wad 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.
Buying Guides: What To Look For In The Best Pill Pockets for Golden Retrievers
Most dogs hate taking pills, even those that aren’t usually fussy. That’s why pill pockets for Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retrievers. 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. This guarantees quality materials and safe production. Many leading dog food makers also sell pill pockets for Golden Retrievers, allowing you to stay brand consistent.
Now, let’s review the best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers!
The Best Pill Pockets for Golden Retrievers
#1 Best Low-Calorie Pill Pockets – 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 Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers. Plus, the chicken liver flavor’s strong aroma and taste help mask the smell and taste of the medicine inside.
Key Features:
- Made with probiotics to support your Golden Retriever’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
#2 Best-Known Brand Pill Pockets – GREENIES Pill Pockets
This choice of best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers 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.
#3 Best Easy-to-Disguise Pill Pocket – Milk-Bone Pill Pouches
A name you know that’s been crafting Golden Retriever 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 Golden Retrievers.
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 the 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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#4 Best All-Natural Pill Pocket – Zoë Pill Pops
Can your Golden Retriever sniff out a pill no matter how hard you try to hide it? Try these fragrant and flavorful pill pockets for Golden Retrievers with unique recipes designed to mask the smell and taste of medicine. Choose from Roasted Chicken with Rosemary, Grilled Beef with Ginger, or Peanut Butter with Honey, and any of these choices will make your dog’s mouth water. Zoë Pill Pops are individually wrapped to preserve freshness.
Key Features:
- Individually wrapped in double packaging to maintain their moist, soft texture
- Savory fragrances & flavors hide the smell of meds brilliantly
- No corn, no wheat, no soy, no artificial flavors or preservatives
- Made in Canada using ingredients sourced from North America
- Ideal for all life stages, from puppy to senior
- Calorie content: 14 calories per pill pouch
Pros
- Individually wrapped to preserve freshness
- Rich, unique flavors disguise the smell of meds
- All natural ingredients
- No corn, wheat, soy, no artificial flavors, or preservatives
Cons
- It can be a little dry
#5 Best Value Pill Pockets – Wag Pill Pouches
Amazon brand Wag Pill Pouches make it easy to give your Golden Retriever their medicines for an affordable price. Made with a tube-shaped center, these best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers are great for tablets or capsules. The delicious chicken flavor will have your pup chomping down their meds before they realize it’s in their mouth! And a new and improved formula keeps pill pouches soft without clumping. Because dogs mistake them for regular treats, they also double as a reward for good behavior, an incentive during training, or a snack between meals.
Key Features:
- Includes one resealable bag of 30 pill pouches
- For use with tablets or capsules
- No added wheat or artificial flavors
- Made in the USA with the finest ingredients from around the world
- Vet-recommended formula
- Calorie content: 15.7 kcal per pill pouch
Pros
- Easy to digest
- Rich chicken liver flavor
- Soft and malleable – texture similar to cookie dough
- Perfect for elderly dogs or Golden Retrievers with dental issues
- Money back guarantee good up to a year from the purchase date
Cons
- Tend to dry out quickly
#6 Best Pill Pockets for Picky Eaters – Pill Buddy Naturals
Who doesn’t love a sweet treat now and again? Your pup sure does, and that you can slip them their pills while giving the taste of something good makes Pill Buddy Naturals an easy choice as one of the best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers. Although available in various flavors, there are two choices for PB fanatics: the Peanut Butter and Honey Recipe or the Peanut Butter and Apple Recipe. Whichever you choose, you can rest assured these Golden Retriever pill pockets are delicious, soft, and made with all-natural ingredients, but no corn, wheat, soy, or anything artificial.
Key Features:
- Wrapped in pairs to preserve freshness
- Great for Golden Retrievers who dig peanut butter
- Six flavor choices
- Accommodates almost any size pill or capsule intended for Golden Retrievers
- Makes your dog’s medicine irresistible
- Veterinarian-formulated recipes
- Calorie Content: 14kcal per pocket
Pros
- Fits virtually any tablet, capsule, or pill
- Six flavors to entice even the fussiest pups
- Wrapped in sealed pouches for freshness
Cons
- Sweet flavor may not be a hit for all Golden Retrievers
#7 Pill Pocket with the Best Customer Reviews – Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill Paste
Pet MD Wrap-A-Pill takes the stress out of pill time because Golden Retrievers think this tasty paste tastes 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 Golden Retrievers with dental problems, as they’re soft and not sticky. In other words, perfect for older Golden Retrievers!
Key Features:
- Adapts to any size pill, tablet, or capsule
- Soft and malleable – texture similar to cookie dough
- Perfect for elderly Golden Retrievers 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
#8 Best Pill Pockets for Golden Retrievers of All Sizes – 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 Golden Retriever for dosing. For pups that aren’t too picky, a thin layer is usually enough for masking. More finicky Golden Retrievers 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 Golden Retrievers
- Works for any size pill or other medicine forms
- Can be used as treats
Cons
- Only comes in one flavor
- High in fat
#9 Easiest to Shape Pill Pockets –Vetoquinol Pill Wrap
Vetoquinol Pill Wrap is a moist, juicy, delicious, and malleable paste that makes giving your Golden Retriever medicine a breeze. They’re full of flavor and can be molded to fit any medication, whether tablet, capsule, powder, or liquid. And Vetoquinol USA is a proud member of the National Animal Supplement Council (NASC), so you can trust that they formulate their pastes with only food-grade ingredients. 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 ounce 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
Not all pill pockets for Golden Retrievers are created equal, so be sure to choose options that are low-calorie, low-fat, and offer other nutritional values, like probiotics or vitamins. Any of the options on our list of the best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers provides an excellent choice to help you give your pup their important medications.
Frequently Asked Questions about Best Pill Pockets for Golden Retrievers
1. What are pill pockets for Golden Retrievers?
Pill pockets are soft, edible treats designed to hide medication, making it easier to give pills to your Golden Retriever. They mask the smell and taste of medicine, so your dog takes it willingly without fuss.
2. Why should I use pill pockets instead of hiding pills in food?
Pill pockets are specifically formulated to hold pills securely without crumbling or leaking. Unlike cheese or peanut butter, they don’t cause mess, odor, or unnecessary calories — perfect for maintaining your Golden Retriever’s diet.
3. Are pill pockets safe for Golden Retrievers?
Yes, most pill pockets are safe when used as directed. Look for brands made with natural ingredients, free from artificial preservatives, wheat, or corn — especially if your Golden Retriever has allergies or sensitivities.
4. What are the best pill pocket brands for Golden Retrievers?
Popular and highly rated brands include:
-
Greenies Pill Pockets
-
Milk-Bone Pill Pouches
-
VetriScience Pinchers
-
Zesty Paws Pill Wrap Probiotic
-
Tomlyn Pill-Masker
Each offers different flavors and textures to suit your dog’s preferences.
5. Which flavor do Golden Retrievers prefer most?
Golden Retrievers typically love chicken, peanut butter, or bacon flavors. Their strong sense of smell makes these savory scents ideal for masking medicine taste.
6. Can I use pill pockets for large pills?
Yes, many pill pockets are made for large-breed dogs. Look for “Large Dog” or “Tablet Size” versions — they’re bigger and easier to mold around large pills or capsules.
7. How do I use a pill pocket correctly?
Simply insert the pill into the pocket, pinch the opening to seal it, and offer it as a treat. Most dogs will eat it in one bite. Give a regular treat before and after to make it part of a fun routine.
8. Can I make homemade pill pockets for my Golden Retriever?
Yes! You can make DIY pill pockets using ingredients like peanut butter, oatmeal, and pumpkin puree. However, ensure the peanut butter doesn’t contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs.
9. Are pill pockets suitable for daily medication?
Absolutely. Many Golden Retrievers take supplements or medications daily for joint support or allergies. Just ensure the total calorie intake from treats and pill pockets fits your dog’s daily needs.
10. What if my Golden Retriever spits out the pill pocket?
Try a different flavor or brand — some dogs are picky. You can also hide the pocket among regular treats or feed a “dummy” treat first, followed by the one with the pill.
11. Are there grain-free pill pockets?
Yes. Brands like VetriScience and Zesty Paws offer grain-free options ideal for Golden Retrievers with sensitive stomachs or allergies.
12. Do pill pockets expire?
Yes, just like treats, pill pockets have expiration dates. Store them in a cool, dry place and reseal tightly after each use to maintain freshness.
13. Can I use pill pockets for liquid medicine?
Most pill pockets are meant for pills and capsules, but some pliable options like Tomlyn Pill-Masker can be molded around liquids or mixed into food.
14. Are pill pockets good for senior Golden Retrievers?
Yes! Pill pockets make medication time easier for older Golden Retrievers who often need daily pills for joints, arthritis, or heart conditions. Soft textures are gentle on their teeth and gums.
15. Where can I buy the best pill pockets for Golden Retrievers?
You can find them at pet stores, veterinary clinics, and online marketplaces like Chewy, Amazon, and Petco. Always check reviews, ingredients, and expiration dates before buying.
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