Over the counter cold medicine safe for dogs

There are certain health issues your dog may have that warrant the use of a decongestant. However if you observe symptoms of minor pain your veterinarian may advise you to treat your pet with over-the-counter medication.

Many OTCcough meds however like Robitussin DM contain ingredients thatare relatively safe for dogs.

Over the counter cold medicine safe for dogs. Pepcid-AC Tagamet and Zantac. Pepcid-AC famotidine Tagamet cimetidine and Zantac ranitidine are common OTC medications to treat or prevent heartburn and stomach ulcer-related symptoms. Theyre generally effective and safe for dogs and cats.

You can administer the correct dosage once or twice a day. Antihistamines are usually safe but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. OTC antihistamine preparations may contain other ingredients such as decongestants that are not safe for dogs.

Read the label carefully to ensure that the product only contains antihistamine. Check with your veterinary healthcare team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is. However if you observe symptoms of minor pain your veterinarian may advise you to treat your pet with over-the-counter medication.

Most human over-the-counter pain medication are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as aspirin and ibuprofen which work by reducing inflammation fever and pain. Regarding this can I give my dog over the counter cold medicine. Most OTC cold medications contain decongestantsthat are not safe for dogs so steer clear.

Many OTCcough meds however like Robitussin DM contain ingredients thatare relatively safe for dogs. Check with your vet beforeadministering a cough medicine. Bisacodyl is commonly known as Dulcolax and is used as a laxative to treat constipation for dogs and cats.

Bisacodyl is available in 5 mg tablets 5 mg and 10 mg rectal suppositories and 10 mg30 ml enema bottles. Pepcid This OTC medication is used to reduce stomach acid production for conditions such as acid reflux gastrointestinal ulcers and inflammation in the stomach. It is safe for most dogs.

Vets recommend using cautiously in geriatric dogs and dogs suffering from certain diseases. Decongestants And Other Drugs. Unfortunately there arent many safe decongestants for dogs that can be purchased over-the-counter.

Oxymetazoline is good choice because it is not easily toxic. This active ingredient is used in nasal spray brands including Afrin Dimetapp Vicks Sinex Zicam and Mucinex Sinus-Max Full Force. Watch your dogs fluid intake.

Hydration is especially important for dogs with colds. Make sure your dog has constant unobstructed access to clean fresh water. If your dog doesnt drink for a period of several hours add a splash of low-sodium chicken or beef broth to the water to encourage them to drink.

Even Dramamine can be used for dogs with motion sickness and Immodium can treat diarrhea. However dosages for dogs are much different than for humans. Use the information on these slides to determine if your OTC medication is dog and cat safe and how much should be administered.

Benadryl is a commonly used antihistamine for treating dogs and is a safe cough suppressant for dogs. It is also used to treat side effects of allergies swelling and inflammation. Aspirin can be safely administered to dogs in doses of five to ten milligrams per pound of body weight.

Start your dog on the lowest dose and if it effectively relieves his pain symptoms stick with that dose until such time as his pain worsens and he requires a higher dose. Ibuprofen commonly known by the brand names of Motrin or Advil and may more can be used in dogs to reduce swelling and inflammation most commonly from arthritis and musculoskeletal pain. Ibuprofen belongs to a general class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAID.

There are certain health issues your dog may have that warrant the use of a decongestant. Some of these decongestants are also for human use and found over the counter in most drugstores. While there are nasal decongestants that are safe for dogs it.

While the over-the-counter option may seem simpler and cheaper giving OTC meds to dogs without considering the precautions may prove more costly in the long run. Most OTC meds are not FDA approved for use in animals so the exact safe dosage may not have been determined through clinical studies and there are no clear dosage directions for dogs. There are some over the counter medications that can be used in dogs - but others can be very dangerous so you have to be very careful.

Read ingredients very carefully as many cold medicines have a combination of medications and this should be avoided. Be sure to avoid anything with ibuprofen or tylenol in it. Medicines Safe for Use in Dogs.

Prescription medication is always preferred in comparison to over the counter medication. If the medicine doesnt bring any relief from the symptoms the dog will have to be re-diagnosed for pneumonia or bronchitis. Human cough medications that may be used with caution in pets are those that contain dextromethorpan.

It is okay to give Mucinex to your dog as it is a common choice for reducing cold symptoms including throat phlegm sinus pain and congestion. Providing an expectorant or cough suppressant is not a decision to take lightly. Mucinex works for dogs but should not be used to address what could be an undiagnosed medical condition.