What Human Meds Can You Give A Dog: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you wondering which medications commonly used by humans can also be safely administered to dogs? To help you understand this better, here’s a chart outlining recommended doses of antihistamines for dogs:

• Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Approximately 2 mg per kilogram of your dog’s body weight, given twice daily.
• Telfast (fexofenadine): A dosage of 5-10 mg per kilogram, administered once daily.
• Claratyne (loratadine): Typically, a dose of 5-20 mg is recommended once daily.
• Zyrtec (cetirizine): The suggested dosage ranges from 2.5 to 10 mg, given once daily.

Please note that these are general guidelines, and it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog to ensure the right dosage and safety for your pet’s specific needs.

Identifying Safe Pain Medications for Dogs

When it comes to managing pain in dogs, it’s crucial to know which human medications are safe and effective. Acetaminophen (commonly known as Tylenol) can be a suitable option when administered with great care and for a short duration. However, it’s essential to note that precise dosing is crucial to avoid potential harm. Buffered baby aspirin is another option that can be considered safe for dogs when administered with meticulous attention to dosage. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand that while it may be safe when carefully dosed, it is not as effective as prescription medications designed specifically for canine pain relief. On the other hand, ibuprofen (found in Advil and Motrin) is highly toxic to dogs and should never be used under any circumstances due to the serious risks it poses to their health. To ensure your pet’s well-being, always consult with a veterinarian before administering any medication, and consider prescription options for more effective and safe pain management. [Last updated: August 2, 2022]

Is it safe to administer paracetamol to dogs? Paracetamol, a widely used painkiller in humans, demands caution when used with small animals, as it can potentially be toxic or even fatal to them. It’s essential to understand that dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol compared to cats. For instance, a 20kg dog would need to consume more than seven 500mg paracetamol tablets before experiencing toxic effects. Conversely, even a single 250mg paracetamol tablet could prove fatal for a cat. Thus, it’s crucial for pet owners to be aware of these significant differences in sensitivity and to consult a veterinarian before administering any medications to their pets.

• Antihistamines. …
• Antidiarrheals/Antinauseants. …
• Loperamide (Imodium®). …
• Famotidine (Pepcid AC®) and cimetidine (Tagamet®). …
• Steroid sprays, gels, and creams. …
• Topical antibiotic ointment. …
• Anti-fungal sprays, gels, and creams. …
• Hydrogen peroxide.

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be safe when carefully dosed and used short term. …
• Aspirin—specifically buffered baby aspirin—can be safe when dosed carefully but is not as safe or effective as prescription medications.
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is toxic to dogs and should never be used.

Dog Antihistamine Dose Chart

Antihistamine	Estimated Dose
Benadryl (diphenhydramine)*	2 mg/kg twice daily
Telfast (fexofenadine)	5-10 mg/kg once daily
Claratyne (loratadine)	5-20 mg once daily†
Zyrtec (cetirizine)	2.5-10mg once daily†