Sorry, we couldn't find any results matching
Please:
Sorry, we couldn't find any results matching
Please:
When you’re sick, you may go to your medicine cabinet or the local pharmacy to get over-the-counter (OTC) meds that can help. But what about when your dog isn’t feeling their best? Reaching for your medicine cabinet might not always be the best solution for them.
Let’s break down which human OTC meds may be safe for dogs, ones to stay away from, and how pet insurance can help if your pup needs a trip to the vet.
While some human over-the-counter medicines might be safe for your dog, every dog’s medical history is different. So even “safe” medicines might not be right for your dog specifically. Also, there are many OTC meds that aren’t safe because the ingredients, or the way the medicine works, can produce negative effects in dogs.1
Always ask your vet before giving your dog any medication. Plus, the dosage of OTC meds for a dog won’t be the same as the dosage for a human, and it’s important to ask your vet for their recommendation.
Some antihistamines — such as Claratin®, Zyrtec®, and Benadryl®2 — may be safe for dogs with allergies, but it’s important to make sure the only ingredient is antihistamine. If the medicine has other ingredients, such as decongestants, it may not be safe. Be aware that even a safe antihistamine medication could cause drowsiness or hyperactivity, depending on how it affects your pup.1
If your dog suffers from itchy skin, it may also be tempting to rub steroid creams, sprays, or ointments on them to help. While you might be able to safely use a low-dose hydrocortisone cream, it’s best to ask your vet what they recommend first. But leave the calamine lotion in the cabinet — it contains zinc oxide, which can be harmful to dogs.1,3
Most gastrointestinal medicines can be safe for dogs. Pepto-Bismol® can help treat nausea, diarrhea, and an upset stomach. Imodium® may help relieve diarrhea. Pepcid AC® can be administered to treat heartburn. MiraLAX® might be able to safely help dogs with constipation. Dramamine® (which prevents motion sickness) can often be safe for dogs, too.1,2,4,5
If your dog continues vomiting or having diarrhea for more than 24 hours, it can be a good idea to take them to the vet for an exam.4
Your dog could be in pain for a variety of reasons — from joint problems to getting scraped up due to an accident. No matter what the issue is, there are generally no human OTC pain medicines considered safe for dogs. Using them might cause blood thinning, liver or kidney failure, gastrointestinal problems, or could prove fatal.4,6
If your dog needs pain medication, your vet can provide a recommendation for a safe alternative.
With minor cuts, skin irritations, or rashes, certain topical over-the-counter meds can help relieve discomfort and prevent infection. Regular Neosporin®2 is typically safe to use, but stay away from versions that have additional medicated ingredients in them, like pain meds. Chlorhexidine is an antiseptic that can generally be used on dogs.4
With both options, it’s best to check with your vet first and avoid using them for major open wounds. If you get the OK to use them, keep your dog from licking the medication off.4
If your dog is showing symptoms of a minor ear infection, like pawing at their ear or shaking their head, you may be able to provide some relief using dog-friendly ear medicine. These OTC treatments can help clean the ear, reduce inflammation, and relieve itch.7 It’s generally not a good idea to use human ear drops, as some of the ingredients could be harmful for dogs.8
However, there may be underlying problems causing the infection that won’t be resolved with OTC ear treatments. Plus, you’ll need a vet’s prescription to get necessary antibiotics.
Eye drops can provide a temporary solution if your dog seems to have itchy or uncomfortable eyes. Human over-the-counter eye drops can sometimes be safe to use, as long as the drops are strictly artificial tears and not medicated. If the drops still don’t help, schedule an appointment with your vet because your pup could have an eye infection or injury.1,5
Saline or pediatric nasal sprays can often be safe for your dog to help relieve dryness or congestion. Steer clear of any other type of over-the-counter nasal sprays that contain medicine, though.5
While safe to use, it might be hard to keep your dog still enough to administer the spray. If your dog is congested or has a dry nose, a trip to the vet for treatment could help keep stress levels lower for everyone.
Human-grade non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) — like ibuprofen and aspirin — and products that contain acetaminophen — like Tylenol®2 — alongside other pain meds, such as naproxen, are not safe for dogs. Avoid giving your dog any human OTC pain medication, as well as human prescription meds, as they can cause serious side effects.6
When you have a cough or sore throat, it’s easy to reach for OTC cough and cold medicine to help alleviate symptoms. But most of these have decongestants that aren’t safe for dogs, or sweeteners, like xylitol, that are toxic.9 Skip the medicine cabinet and take a trip to the vet, since dog coughing could be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition.
There are some OTC meds that have basic versions with limited ingredients, and those that have a medicated option. Like we mentioned before, certain allergy meds, Neosporin, eye drops, and nasal sprays can be safe, but the versions with extra medication or ingredients are best left on the shelf when it comes to your dog.
Even with some safe human medicine options to choose from, it may be that much safer to use a dog-friendly alternative. There are many OTC medications specifically made for dogs that you can purchase, such as:
Your local pet care store and online retailers typically stock these options, so you can provide some relief for your pup in a bind. But it’s a good idea to get a professional diagnosis of your pet’s condition from a vet, so your dog can get the right treatment to help them feel better.
When over-the-counter meds just aren’t cutting it and your pup needs a trip to the vet, the unexpected cost of diagnostics and treatment could put a dent in your budget. Having a pet insurance policy can help you relieve some of the burden of unplanned vet bills and help you get your dog back in good health.
With MetLife Pet, you can be reimbursed for up to 90% of covered costs — like X-rays, blood work, exam fees, prescriptions, and hospitalization.10 Build a custom plan for your furry best friend by starting with a free quote.
