As loving pet owners, it’s natural to consider our dogs as part of the family, often treating them like furry children. However, it’s crucial to understand that dogs are not simply small humans. Medications that are safe and effective for people, including children, may not be suitable for canine companions. While veterinarians do sometimes prescribe human medications for dogs, there are significant differences in how dogs process drugs, including tolerances, potential side effects, appropriate dosages, and the intended applications. For instance, veterinary medicines are typically dosed based on a dog’s weight, whereas human medications are often based on age. Therefore, even if you believe a human over-the-counter (OTC) medication is safe for your dog, always consult your veterinarian first. What seems like a helpful gesture could inadvertently cause more harm than good or even exacerbate an existing health issue in your pet. Furthermore, your dog might have a specific underlying condition that makes a seemingly benign medication unsafe for them.
Over-the-Counter Human Medications for Dogs: Are Any Safe?
While veterinarians may recommend certain OTC human medications for specific conditions, it is never advisable to administer any medication to your dog without professional veterinary guidance. This caution extends even to common medications with seemingly minimal side effects, such as artificial tears. Artificial tears can be beneficial for lubricating a dog’s eyes, particularly in cases of dry eye, or for flushing out dust and foreign particles. Artificial tears can help lubricate a dog’s eye. However, they are not a universal solution for all eye ailments. Some foreign materials may require professional flushing by a veterinarian, who will then thoroughly examine the eye to rule out any scratches or ulcers.
Human Pain Medications for Dogs: A Dangerous Proposition
Among OTC medications, pain relievers are frequently the first choice for concerned pet parents, yet they are also among the most dangerous.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol / Excedrin)
Acetaminophen, sold under brand names like Tylenol and Excedrin, is a widely used pain-relief medication. In dogs, an overdose of acetaminophen can lead to severe liver damage and impair the ability of red blood cells to transport oxygen, a condition known as methemoglobinemia. Human OTC acetaminophen is also often combined with other medications, such as those for allergies, which may be unsafe for your dog.
NSAIDs (Advil / Motrin / Aspirin / Ibuprofen)
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in veterinary medicine. However, human-approved NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, Advil, aspirin, and Motrin can cause serious issues in dogs, including stomach ulcers that manifest as bloody vomit or stool. They can also lead to liver and kidney failure, and even seizures. Administering a human NSAID to your dog without veterinary consultation might also prevent your vet from prescribing more effective pain management options later. There’s a significant risk of overdose and potentially fatal side effects.
Veterinary-Prescribed Pain Management for Dogs
Veterinarians typically prescribe canine-specific NSAIDs, gabapentin, or opioids like tramadol for pain relief in dogs.
NSAIDs Approved for Dogs
Currently, FDA-approved NSAIDs for dogs include carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, and firocoxib. These are frequently prescribed for chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis or to manage post-operative pain. Despite being approved for canine use, these medications are not entirely risk-free. Even at the correct dosage, NSAIDs can cause harm to dogs with pre-existing liver or kidney conditions. To mitigate the required dosage of prescribed NSAIDs for arthritic dogs, veterinarians often suggest incorporating joint supplements alongside the NSAID. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM are among the most common and effective ingredients found in joint supplements, available in various formulations and strengths. It’s essential to consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any joint supplement, even those specifically formulated for canines.
Gabapentin
Gabapentin is another common pain medication used in veterinary practice. This anticonvulsant medication has demonstrated efficacy in relieving neuropathic pain in animals with minimal reported side effects. Gabapentin is frequently prescribed for back injuries, often in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory and a muscle relaxant like methocarbamol. It can also be an option for dogs with kidney or liver issues who cannot tolerate NSAIDs, for a range of pain-inducing illnesses.
Opioids
Opioids are utilized in veterinary medicine for managing a variety of painful conditions. While most opioids are restricted to use within animal hospitals, tramadol and buprenorphine may be prescribed for at-home administration. Tramadol, a synthetic opioid, is often used for dogs already receiving gabapentin or NSAIDs. Buprenorphine is a common choice for dogs diagnosed with pancreatitis or visceral pain, though it is used less frequently in dogs than in cats.
Human Allergy Medications for Dogs: Proceed with Caution
Antihistamines are among the most commonly prescribed OTC allergy medications for dogs. As always, discussing any allergy medication with your vet before administration is highly recommended. Do not give diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to pregnant dogs, or those with low blood pressure or glaucoma, without first consulting your veterinarian. While Benadryl is generally safe and well-tolerated by dogs, it can induce drowsiness. Some Benadryl formulations may also contain acetaminophen, so always verify the ingredient list. Dogs with liver and kidney disease should not be given cetirizine (Zyrtec) or loratadine (Claritin) without veterinary approval. Cetirizine and loratadine are generally well-tolerated by dogs experiencing itching, allergies, and reactions to insect bites. However, they can cause side effects such as vomiting, excessive drooling, and sedation in some dogs.
Topical Antibiotics for Dogs: Use Wisely
Neosporin, a common OTC antibiotic ointment, can be used for minor scrapes and cuts, but it’s crucial to prevent your dog from licking the ointment off, as this can impede healing and increase the risk of secondary infection. An antiseptic spray, such as Vetricyn, might be better tolerated by some dogs than a thick ointment like Neosporin. While Neosporin can be useful in a pinch, any wound showing signs of infection, such as redness or swelling, requires oral antibiotics prescribed by a veterinarian.
Vomiting in Dogs: No Safe OTC Human Medicine
There are no safe OTC anti-nausea or anti-vomiting medications for dogs. Administering these human medications can mask serious underlying issues in dogs that may have ingested a foreign object, have an obstruction, or are suffering from a severe illness. The dog’s condition might appear to improve temporarily, only to worsen significantly later as the underlying disease progresses. While giving your dog Pepto-Bismol is not inherently toxic, it can be dangerous if the dog inhales it into their lungs during vomiting. Pepto-Bismol can also interfere with veterinary X-rays, potentially hindering the diagnosis of conditions like foreign material ingestion. For these reasons, anti-nausea medications should only be administered or prescribed by a veterinarian. If prescribed by your vet, an anti-emetic such as the veterinary product Cerenia or the human medication ondansetron can offer relief.
Cough Medicine for Dogs: A Strict No-Go
Persistent coughing in dogs is never normal and always warrants a veterinary examination. Common causes include heartworm disease, kennel cough, congestive heart failure, tracheal collapse, chronic bronchitis, and cancer. Over-the-counter human cough medications should never be given to dogs. Many of these products contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener highly toxic to dogs. Cough suppressants may also contain other dangerous ingredients like acetaminophen.
Antacids for Dogs: Veterinary Recommendation Only
Antacids should only be used under the recommendation of your veterinarian. Medications such as famotidine (Pepcid) and omeprazole (Prilosec) are often recommended by veterinarians for gastrointestinal ulceration and for preventing ulcers when a dog is on steroids. Ongoing studies are evaluating the long-term effects of these medications.
Constipation Relief for Dogs: Human Medicine Considerations
MiraLAX (unflavored) can be used for both short-term and long-term constipation in dogs. Proper dosing is essential to prevent gastrointestinal upset and excessive diarrhea, so always consult your vet before administering MiraLAX.
Featured Image: iStock.com/Tom Merton
