Over-the-Counter Medications & First Aid for Dogs and Cats
*CONSULT YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE GIVING YOUR DOG ANY OTC MEDICATIONS
| Medication/Product | Common Use | General Veterinary Guidance | |
| Benadryl -diphenhydramine ONLY |
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Dogs & cats: 2–4 mg/kg (about 0.9–1.8 mg/lb) by mouth every 8–12 hours as needed. May cause sedation. Avoid combination products containing decongestants or other ingredients | |
| Zyrtec – cetirizine ONLY | Allergies, itching, hives | Dogs: 1 mg/kg or generally 10–20 mg per dog every 12–24 hours. Cats: approximately 5 mg per cat every 12–24 hours. Do NOT use Zyrtec-D because it contains pseudoephedrine. | |
| Dramamine – dimenhydrinate ONLY | Motion sickness | Dogs & cats: 4–8 mg/kg (about 1.8–3.6 mg/lb) every 8 hours. May cause sedation. Confirm the product contains only dimenhydrinate. | |
| Pepcid AC – famotidine ONLY | Reduces stomach acid | Dogs & cats: 0.5–1 mg/kg (about 0.25–0.45 mg/lb) every 12–24 hours. Best used after veterinary guidance because vomiting or poor appetite can indicate a more serious condition. | |
| Dramamine | Motion sickness | 2-4mg/lbs every 8 hrs | |
| Plain canned pumpkin | Mild constipation or stool regulation | May be added to food in small amounts. Veterinary references describe roughly 1–4 tablespoons per meal depending on animal size, with much smaller amounts for cats and small dogs. Use plain pumpkin only, not pumpkin pie filling. | |
| Plain psyllium fiber | Constipation/fiber supplementation | Veterinary references suggest 1–4 teaspoons per meal depending on size. Ensure the pet has access to plenty of water. Avoid flavored/sweetened products, especially those containing xylitol. | |
| Sterile saline / sterile eye wash | Flushing eyes or minor wounds | May be used to gently rinse debris or irritants from the eyes and to flush superficial wounds. Use a plain sterile saline product without medication. | |
| Homemade saline rinse | Minor wound cleansing | Mix approximately 1 level teaspoon of salt with 2 cups of clean warm water. Use for gentle wound flushing. Do not use on deep punctures or major wounds as a substitute for veterinary care. | |
| Chlorhexidine | Skin/wound antiseptic |
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| Povidone-Iodine/Betadine | Topical Antiseptic |
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| Milk of Magnesia – magnesium hydroxide | Occasional constipation | Veterinary reference doses are dogs: 5–10 mL; cats: 2–6 mL as needed, but constipation can be caused by obstruction or serious disease, so veterinary guidance is recommended before administering it. | |
Seek Veterinary Care Immediately For
Difficulty breathing; facial swelling with breathing problems; collapse or extreme weakness; seizures; repeated vomiting; bloated or painful abdomen; inability to urinate; blood in vomit, urine or stool; significant trauma; deep or infected wounds; suspected obstruction; ingestion of medication, chemicals, xylitol, grapes/raisins, chocolate or another possible toxin; or symptoms that are severe, worsening or persistent.
For suspected poisoning, contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service before giving medication, food, milk, charcoal or hydrogen peroxide.
Please check out this list of poisons that are harmful to your loving pet.
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