If your pet is a cat then the answer is pretty much, NO! Tylenol will kill cats. Other human medications are either dangerous or in way too big of a dose to give your cat. Please, never, ever give your cat human medication unless you have consulted with your veterinarian. There are some human medications we will use in cats. For example, in our cats dealing with kidney compromise we often use Pepcid, an antacid, on a daily basis – but not a full tablet. For most cats we would give a ¼ to a ½ tablet once a day. Our cats that have heart issues are on human beta blockers, but again we are talking ¼ of tablet sized doses.
If your pet is a dog then the answer is sometimes. Dogs can have medications like Benadryl, Reactine, Gravol, and Pepcid. Often dog owners ask us about aspirin, Tylenol and Advil. We NEVER give dogs Advil. Tylenol may be useful in addition to another medications but needs to be used with caution, Tylenol can cause severe liver issues. Aspirin can be given, is fairly safe but the problem is it does not work that well. There are newer forms of this class of drug that work so much better and are so much safer.
Medications like Benadryl or Reactine can be given for itchiness, hives, or bug bit reactions. Gravol can be used to help dogs that get car sick. Pepcid is useful is dogs that have been vomiting and are being fasted and slowly re-introduced to a modified feeding schedule. Pepcid can also be helpful given in the evening with a treat to help dogs that vomit on an empty stomach in the early mornings.
Some medications are metabolized differently by dogs. For example, we cannot use many anti-seizure medications in dogs because they do not last as long in their bodies. We do not have great data on how slow release human medications work in dogs. If it is a liquid based medication always read the label very carefully- xylitol (an artificial sweetener) is toxic to dogs. Xylitol causes very low blood sugar (to the point of seizures) and in higher doses liver failure.
Nutraceuticals can often be helpful – for skin disease, kidney disease and arthritis. High doses of Omega Fatty acids have been proven beneficial for all of the diseases mentioned. We usually use a dose of 180 mg of EPA (a specific omega 3) per 5 kg per day. There are veterinary formulations but if you read the labels carefully a good health food store may be able to help you out. Many families also put their pet on glucosamine (with or without chondroitin and/or MSM). This may benefit some dogs, but there is more data on the efficacy of high doses of omega 3 supplementation.
There are many different medication available but the most important things is to check with your veterinarian before starting a medication. If your pet is on other medications, sometimes they can interfere with each other and cause adverse side effects. Always know that we are here to help with your pet’s health care needs.
Nutraceuticals can often be helpful – for skin disease, kidney disease and arthritis. High doses of Omega Fatty acids have been proven beneficial for all of the diseases mentioned. We usually use a dose of 180 mg of EPA (a specific omega 3) per 5 kg per day. There are veterinary formulations but if you read the labels carefully a good health food store may be able to help you out. Many families also put their pet on glucosamine (with or without chondroitin and/or MSM). This may benefit some dogs, but there is more data on the efficacy of high doses of omega 3 supplementation.
If your pet is a cat then the answer is pretty much, NO! Tylenol will kill cats. Other human medications are either dangerous or in way too big of a dose to give your cat. Please, never, ever give your cat human medication unless you have consulted with your veterinarian. There are some human medications we will use in cats. For example, in our cats dealing with kidney compromise we often use Pepcid, an antacid, on a daily basis – but not a full tablet. For most cats we would give a ¼ to a ½ tablet once a day. Our cats that have heart issues are on human beta blockers, but again we are talking ¼ of tablet sized doses.
Some medications are metabolized differently by dogs. For example, we cannot use many anti-seizure medications in dogs because they do not last as long in their bodies. We do not have great data on how slow release human medications work in dogs. If it is a liquid based medication always read the label very carefully- xylitol (an artificial sweetener) is toxic to dogs. Xylitol causes very low blood sugar (to the point of seizures) and in higher doses liver failure.
There are many different medication available but the most important things is to check with your veterinarian before starting a medication. If your pet is on other medications, sometimes they can interfere with each other and cause adverse side effects. Always know that we are here to help with your pet’s health care needs.
Medications like Benadryl or Reactine can be given for itchiness, hives, or bug bit reactions. Gravol can be used to help dogs that get car sick. Pepcid is useful is dogs that have been vomiting and are being fasted and slowly re-introduced to a modified feeding schedule. Pepcid can also be helpful given in the evening with a treat to help dogs that vomit on an empty stomach in the early mornings.
12 medications for dogs with anxiety
When traditional methods have failed for more extreme cases, a veterinarian may recommend over-the-counter or prescription drugs to treat your dog’s anxiety.
“Your veterinarian should examine dogs that are not improving within four to six weeks of changes to your environment,” Dr. Burch says. “Dogs that show almost all of the signs of anxiety typically need prescription medication in addition to environmental changes and should be evaluated,” she adds.
When it comes to the best medication for dogs with anxiety, Dr. Richter says it’s a decision for your dog’s personal veterinarian—they know your dog’s history, so you should consult with them before giving your pet any medication. “Also, it’s important to understand that anxiety cannot simply be medicated away,” Dr. Richter says. “Specific [behavior] training needs to happen along with medication.”
Some medications that are commonly used to treat dog anxiety include the following, but be sure to talk to your vet before giving your pet any medication. It can be dangerous in the wrong dosage:
Dog anxiety medication dosage will vary and should be determined on a case-by-case basis under the direction of a veterinarian.
If your dog suddenly becomes anxious, do your best to get them away from the place or thing that is causing their discomfort, advises Dr. Richter. In a time of crisis and anxiety, always be calm and reassuring towards your dog.
If you decide to try over-the-counter options for treating anxiety in dogs (like Benadryl, hemp or CBD), be sure that you only use products that are specifically formulated for animals, Dr. Richter says.
No matter which medication your veterinarian chooses, you will also need to put behavior-modification protocols in place in order to help your dog work through their anxiety.
Moderate to severe anxiety often responds best to a prescription anti-anxiety medication and behavior-modification training. These are not quick fixes, however.
Dogs usually need to be treated for about four weeks before the effectiveness of the medication becomes fully evident, and treatment needs to continue for at least two months after an adequate response is observed.
Your veterinarian paired with an experienced dog trainer that focuses on positive reinforcement are your best resources. Once your veterinarian has given your dog a clean bill of health, they might prescribe a medication for dog anxiety as part of your pet’s treatment.
Dogs can suffer from different types of anxiety, some of which can be truly debilitating. As pet parents, we want to help, but we’re faced with many confusing treatment and medication options.
FAQ
Can Gravol help with anxiety in dogs?
What is the best thing to give a dog for anxiety?
How much Gravol can I give my dog?
Will Gravol sedate my dog?