Disclaimer: Nothing contained in articles and/or content is or should be considered, or used as a substitute for, veterinary medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please refer to your veterinarian.
What do you do if your pet suddenly becomes ill or injures themself? Of course, your first thought should be to head to the vet. What if you’re on a camping trip or out for a hike? If you have an emergency and need to treat something right away, or if your veterinary office is closed and there are no emergency veterinarians near you, you may need to treat an injury or illness until you can contact a veterinary professional. We spoke with Dr. Julia Drury from Cats & Dogs Animal Hospital, and we’ve made a list of safe over-the-counter medications for pets and their correct dosages. We’ve also included a list of OTC medications to never use on your pet.
Over-The-Counter Medications That Can Be Used For Your Pet
Pro-Pectalin- Dr. Julia Drury highly recommends this over-the-counter product for diarrhea. Be sure to follow the instructions for your individual pet.
Pepcid (Famotidine)- Even dogs and cats can suffer from acid reflux. Burps, gagging, coughing, and licking the air are all symptoms you should discuss with your vet. Pepcid is a safe treatment option.
Dosage for dogs- Under 20lbs- ¼ tablet
20-60lbs- ½ tablet
Over 60 lbs- 1 tablet
Dosage for cats- ¼ tablet
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)- If your dog or cat has an acute allergy attack or exposure to an allergen, Benadryl can soothe the itch and reduce symptoms. Avoid the time-release capsules. Be sure to read the ingredients and do not give any form that contains a decongestant.
Dosage for dogs- .9-1.8mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times per day.
Dosage for cats- 1mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times a day.
Zyrtec (Cetirizine)- Dr. Julia Drury likes Zyrtec as an antihistamine because it tends to make pets less drowsy than Benadryl.
Dosage for dogs- 0.5 mg per pound orally once to twice daily.
Dosage for cats- a total dose of 5 mg per cat once daily.
Dramamine-Meclizine- Does your dog suffer from motion sickness? Dr. Julia Drury likes Meclizine to help alleviate.
Dosage for dogs- 2-4 mg per pound of body weight.
Neosporin/Antibacterial Ointments- Neosporin is safe for minor cuts and scrapes, with some precautions. Use a small amount and try to cover the wound, or use a cone to prevent your pet from licking the ointment. Ingesting too much Neosporin can make them sick. Only use original Neosporin ointment on your pet. Ointment with steroids can slow wound healing. Before applying ointment or bandaging a wound, ensure the area is clean and debris-free. Large wounds, wounds that continuously bleed, and deep puncture wounds need examination by a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Hydrogen Peroxide- Hydrogen Peroxide has its uses and can be safe for pets. It can be used as an initial flush for a wound if you don’t have access to anything else. However, it should not be used to repeatedly clean a wound. Hydrogen Peroxide is great at killing bacteria, but unfortunately, it’s great at killing cells in general which delays healing. Hydrogen Peroxide can also be used to flush a surgical drain if diluted with water and for cleaning your pet’s fur around a wound or surgical site.
Peroxide can induce vomiting if your dog has eaten something toxic. Only induce vomiting if your vet recommends it. Peroxide has been shown to cause a higher risk of esophageal ulcers and strictures. It is not advised for use in inducing vomiting in cats.
Remember that you can always call the Pet Poison Hotline for help! Visit https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/ for more info or call directly at 855-764-7661
Dosage for dogs- 1 teaspoon per 5 lbs 3% Hydrogen Peroxide solution
OTC Medications NOT For Pet Use
NSAIDS- Ibuprofen, acetaminophen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs used for people can cause NSAID toxicity in your pet. NSAID Toxicity can lead to organ failure and death. Symptoms are pale gums, weakness, lethargy, diarrhea, vomiting, tarry stools, and abdominal pain.
Decongestants- The ingredients pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine are two of the most common decongestant ingredients in human cold medicine. They are also highly toxic to pets. They can cause increased heart rate, confusion, hyperactivity, and seizures in dogs and cats.
A Word Of Caution
Any medication not intended for animal use can be dangerous for your pet. The OTC medications listed should only be used with the guidance of your veterinarian.
If your pet has any underlying health conditions, human OTC medications can aggravate these. They may also cause a dangerous interaction with any other medications your pet is currently taking.
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