Which Over-The-Counter Medications Are Safe For Dogs?

Person holding medicine in hand (caption: Which Over-The-Counter Medications Are Okay For Dogs?)

We consider our dogs family members, so it’s a natural instinct to turn to your medicine cabinet to relieve your dog’s mild ailments. Many human meds are safe for dogs — but not all. Before popping any pills into your pup, make sure you follow these tips on over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for dogs.

Always consult your veterinarian before giving your pup any medicine. Even OTC meds that are generally considered safe for dogs may be potentially dangerous for certain breeds or dogs with underlying conditions.

Table of Contents

1. Pain Relievers

Any over-the-counter pain medicine containing acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen is not safe for dogs. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen can cause serious gastrointestinal problems in dogs, including abdominal pain and blood feces, along with other symptoms. These medicines can even be fatal in dogs.

Buffered aspirin isn’t quite as risky, but most vets recommended avoiding most aspirins as unsafe over-the-counter pain medicine for dogs.

For more information on OTC pain meds for dogs, be sure to read our guidelines on the best pain meds for dogs.

2. Allergy Medications

Common antihistamines like Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) relieve allergy symptoms and allergic reactions. These medications are usually safe for dogs, but they can cause drowsiness or hyperactivity.

Tip: Make sure your OTC allergy medicine contains only antihistamine. Some may contain other ingredients, such as decongestants, which aren’t safe for dogs.

Dosage:

Benadryl: 1 milligram/pound of body weight, given twice daily
Claritin: approximately 0.1 to 0.5 milligram/pound of body weight, given once to twice daily
Zyrtec: approximately 0.5 mg/pound of body weight given, once to twice daily

3. Gastrointestinal Medications

Pepto-Bismol

A staple in many medicine cabinets, Pepto-Bismol (bismuth subsalicylate) is safe for dogs (but not for cats). It’s used to treat diarrhea, vomiting and an upset stomach. A word of caution, though: the salicylate in Pepto-Bismol can cause gastrointestinal upset and lead to gastric bleeding, so you should give your dog only a few doses. If your dog still isn’t better after those few doses, you should consult with your veterinarian. Learn more about Pepto Bismol for dogs.

Dosage: 1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of weight, every 6-8 hours for 24 hours

Imodium

Imodium (loperamide) is safe for most dogs and cats to relieve diarrhea. If the diarrhea doesn’t improve after 24 hours, contact your vet promptly because diarrhea can quickly lead to potentially dangerous levels of dehydration.

Dosage: 1 milligram per 20 pounds of weight, every 4-6 hours.

WARNING: Some breeds related to Collies may have adverse reactions to Imodium. Do not give this medicine to Collies, Shelties, Australian Shepherds and Long-haired Whippets.

Pepcid-AC, Tagamet and Zantac

Pepcid-AC (famotidine), Tagamet (cimetidine) and Zantac (ranitidine) are common OTC medications to treat or prevent heartburn and stomach ulcer-related symptoms. They’re generally effective and safe for dogs (and cats). You can administer the correct dosage once or twice a day.

It’s okay to use them for periodic dietary indiscretions, such as if your dog gets into a bag of chips or slurps up the rest of your salsa. See your vet to rule out other problems if your dog’s stomach woes persist.

Dosage:

Tablet dosages vary for each of these OTC meds, so consult with your vet to know how much to give your dog.

4. Dramamine

An antihistamine that helps prevent motion sickness in dogs (and cats), Dramamine is safe for most dogs and works best if given at least ½ hour before travel.

Note: There are canine-specific medications that work faster and last longer than Dramamine.

Dosage:

2 to 4 milligrams/pound of body weight, every 8 hours

5. Cold And Cough Medicine

Most OTC cold medications contain decongestants that are not safe for dogs, so steer clear. Many OTC cough meds, however, like Robitussin DM, contain ingredients that are relatively safe for dogs. Check with your vet before administering a cough medicine.

WARNING: If your dog is coughing, it could be a sign of a more severe problem like respiratory infection, heartworms or cardiac disease, so we advise that you have your pup examined by a vet before giving them human meds for coughing.

6. CBD Oil & Treats

CBD drops and CBD dog treats can ease several conditions your dog may suffer from occasionally or chronically, including:

Anxiety and stress
Moderate to severe pain
Chronic inflammation
Arthritis & joint pain
Digestion problems (also see information about dog probiotics and tips to cure a dog’s upset stomach)
Nausea
Health concerns from cancer

Be sure to check with your vet before administering any product containing CBD.

Dosage: Varies depending on the product, dog’s size and dog’s symptoms.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide

You can use hydrogen peroxide topically to clean your dog’s superficial skin wounds, but it’s not as effective as soap and water. If your dog ingests something toxic, you may be able to give them a small oral dose of hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting.

WARNING:

Never induce vomiting unless your vet first approves it (and gives you a dosage). If you think your dog may have ingested a toxic substance, call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. If you are unsure, consult these symptoms to identify poisoning in your pet.

8. Antibiotic Ointments & Other Topical Creams

Can you use over-the-counter antibiotics and other topical creams for dogs? You have a couple of options here. Antibiotic creams, such as Neosporin, are common topical antibiotic creams used to treat minor cuts and scrapes. They’re safe for dogs, as long as they don’t contain steroids.

Be sure to clean your dog’s wound before applying any antibiotic ointment. Also, cover the wound, so your dog doesn’t lick off the ointment.

Hydrocortisone, another popular OTC topical cream, is also safe for dogs to relieve itchy, raw or irritated skin. You can apply a small amount up to two times daily. Learn more about antibiotics for dogs.

9. Glucosamine (For Arthritis Relief)

Cosequin Maximum Strength Joint Supplement

A good choice for over-the-counter arthritis medicine for dogs is glucosamine (and glucosamine in combination with chondroitin sulfate). Glucosamine, which supports joint health and reduces inflammation, is a long-term treatment option for joint pain associated with arthritis. Read our article on glucosamine for dogs to learn more.

10. Eye Drops

Is your dog blinking or squinting a lot? These symptoms could be caused by dry eyes, allergies or debris. You can apply a bit of OTC lubricating eye drops to ease their irritation. Just make sure the drops are lubricating only — no Visine or other medicated eye drops.

If these drops don’t do the trick, however, go to the vet right away (especially if your dog’s eyes are red, swollen or have a discharge). Serious eye problems like an eye infection, a foreign body that needs removal, or a scratch on the cornea all need immediate professional attention. Not treating these problems promptly may lead to other more serious eye ailments.

Lots of blinking and squinting may also be early signs of cataracts, which require medical treatment.

11. Nasal Sprays

Basic Care Premium Saline Nasal Moisturizing Spray

If your dog is congested or has a dry nose from a cold, you can give them pediatric or saline nasal sprays. Don’t use any other type of OTC nasal medication unless prescribed by your veterinarian.