What is Hydrocortisone Cream for Dogs?
Hydrocortisone will often contain high concentrations of corticosteroids (8).
Corticosteroids are a type of hormone steroid, and studies showed their topical use to be effective at treating irritating, itchy, inflamed, and dry skin in dogs.
Corticosteroids came in two forms: hormones that can be naturally found in a dogs body (mineralocorticoids). They manufactured synthetic products common in veterinary medicines (glucocorticoids), such as discussed hydrocortisone cream for dogs.
Hydrocortisone products made for people are not recommended for dogs.
Theres a difference between your hydrocortisone topical and dog-friendly hydrocortisone cream.
Human-grade hydrocortisone is not FDA-approved for animals and is not vet recommended to treat dog skin problems.
While hydrocortisone creams in your medicine cabinet could, in fact, treat an itchy area, rash, or hot spot on your dog’s skin, if the dog were to lick that cream, adverse side effects could occur like weakened bladder, diarrhea, vomiting, and dehydration (9, 10).
Luckily for you and your pet, there are multiple hydrocortisone creams for dogs, as well as hydrocortisone lotions, sprays, oral medications, and even medicated shampoos containing hydrocortisone specifically designed for a canine patient.
They are often used (and, sadly, misused) in veterinary dermatology.
However, when following safety instructions, they are extremely effective for treating several skin issues in dogs.
When Should You Contact Your Vet?
As mentioned before, if your dog has ingested hydrocortisone cream, wait a couple of days before worrying.
If your dog seems to improve after a couple of days, then there wont be significant issues. However, if you notice your dog with less appetite and energy during those days, you should consult a vet.
Changes in a dogs behavior and appetite levels are significant indications that they might be getting seriously sick. Take your dog and the cream to the veterinarian to help them understand the reason for your dogs health problem.
If your dog has ingested the cream and parts of the tube or the entirety of it, you should go straight to the veterinarian. The tube can cause a blockage in the intestinal tract and more significant issues like infections. These issues would require an operation that can be risky and expensive.
Note: Do not try to induce vomiting if you catch your dog eating the cream, as this can cause a lot of distress. It is also not necessary in most cases.
The cream can treat different skin conditions like allergies, swelling, redness, and other skin symptoms.
Hydrocortisone creams can be beneficial for dog breeds that are susceptible to skin allergies.
Check for open wounds
When the skin becomes inflamed, itching naturally follows.
Some dogs may even stress over the dry, itchy skin, pawing and biting at it incessantly, which can cause the skin to break and open wounds.
Note: Cortisone is not recommended for use on or near an open wound.
Always check the rash for any signs of open skin before application and contact your vet should any bleeding occur.
It’s likely the raised, red area of skin is causing your dog discomfort, which is why it may be ideal or even necessary for you to request help from a housemate or neighbor when applying hydrocortisone cream for dogs or other similar ointments.
The two of you, when working together, can ensure the dog is calmer as you apply medicine to their skin.
Avoid holding the dog forcibly down as this could cause them more distress.
Instead, have one person pet the dog and speak to them in a soothing voice while the other works quickly yet gently to spread or dab the cream over the affected region.
Is hydrocortisone cream safe for dogs?
Steroid-based creams containing short-acting hydrocortisone are used by people to treat itching. If ingested by your pet, these creams can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, and increased thirst and urination.