- 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.
We refer to them as “man’s best friends,” and it is crucial that we treat them accordingly. It’s true that some human medications can be given to pets, but it’s not that easy. While some human medications can be regularly administered to pets, others can be extremely toxic.
Ask your veterinarian for the appropriate dose rather than attempting to extrapolate and estimate dosing from humans to pets. In actuality, compounded formulations or special dosage forms may be required for pets. Numerous medication dosages for pets are also determined by their weight. Asking your veterinarian first will help you keep your pet safe.
Top 15 Safe Human Meds for Dogs
It’s crucial to remember that a variety of factors can make “safe” human medications unsafe for dogs.
These elements include the general health of your dog, any additional medications being taken, breed, size, and age. Never give your pet anything that is not intended for them without first consulting a veterinarian.
You’ll also see that we purposefully left out the dosing information for the safe human medications for dogs listed below in accordance with dosage warnings.
It’s unlikely that these medications’ back labels will include dosage instructions for use in animals, and you shouldn’t ever rely on the internet for veterinary advice.
Before giving your dog any human medications, call your veterinarian and get their professional opinion.
1 Prednisone
Prednisone is used in dogs to treat inflammation from arthritis, autoimmune disease, allergies, and Addison’s disease, and was found to be partially effective.
Due to the side effects associated with corticosteroid therapy, it must be administered with a prescription, and it is crucial that your veterinarian supervise any Prednisone treatment.
Prednisone should always be administered exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian, and negative side effects should be avoided. Prednisone side effects include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, insomnia, and upset stomach.
Prednisone is a less common prescription drug for dogs, but it can cause problems if given to those with diabetes, hypothyroidism, kidney, heart, or liver disease.
Tagamet HB (cimetidine)
When gastric juices go into overdrive, these stomach medications, which prevent the body from producing GI acids, are excellent for pets. Dogs typically receive them for simple gastritis (stomach inflammation), which can be brought on by a variety of stomach injuries, including those that are self-inflicted due to “dietary indiscretion” or other causes.
The dosage is determined by your pet’s size, other medications being taken, and general health. To get the all-clear and the correct dosage, always consult your veterinarian first.
FAQ
Can dogs have Tylenol or ibuprofen?
Never give your dog any of the most popular over-the-counter human pain relievers, including ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), and acetaminophen (Tylenol).
What can you give a dog for pain relief at home?
- Hot and Cold Therapy.
- Ginger.
- Turmeric.
- Boswellia.
- Devil’s Claw.
- CBD Oil.
- Acupuncture.
- Fish Oil.
Can you give dogs any human medicine?
But instead of making her feel better, human medications can seriously hurt your dog and even have fatal consequences. Unless specifically instructed to do so by your veterinarian, never give your dog human medications.
What human medications can dogs take for anxiety?
Common prescription drugs used to treat anxiety in dogs include alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), clomipramine (Clomicalm), and amitriptyline (Elavil). Trazodone is also frequently prescribed, but it is extra-label for use in animals and is primarily intended for use in humans.