Is there an over-the-counter sedative I can give my dog?

Many over-the-counter options are available for mild anxiety, including: nutritional supplements like L-theanine, melatonin, or s-adenosyl-methionine synthetic pheromone preparations (e.g., dog appeasing pheromone or DAP) body wraps that provide reassuring pressure. Owners who are looking for a sedative to give to their dogs at home are somewhat limited in their choices. Acepromazine is the most commonly prescribed oral sedative for dogs. A potentially better option is to squirt the injectable, liquid form of acepromazine between the gums and cheek of the dog. Sometimes a veterinarian will recommend a medication that is traditionally used for other purposes for its sedative “side effects.” For example, the anti-seizure medications phenobarbital and gabapentin are known to have a profound sedative effect when they are first given to dogs, so they can also be prescribed for use before a potentially stressful event. Possible oral sedative combinations include: acepromazine and Telazol powder (an anesthetic) acepromazine and diazepam (an anti-anxiety drug) diazepam and butorphanol (an opioid pain reliever) phenobarbital and diazepam dexmedetomidine (a pain reliever and anti-anxiety medication), ketamine (an anesthetic and pain reliever), and butorphanol. This combination can be absorbed through oral mucous membranes.

You should not give any over-the-counter (OTC) medications without confirming they are safe to use in your dog, for several reasons. Many OTC medications are NOT safe for dogs. Do not assume that drugs are safe for your dog just because they can be purchased without a prescription. Antihistamines are usually safe for dogs but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), and loratadine (Claritin®) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions in humans. Check with your veterinary healthcare team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is suitable for your dog and that you know the appropriate dose to administer. OTC antihistamines may contain other ingredients, such as decongestants, that are not safe for dogs. Read the label carefully to ensure that the product only contains antihistamine.