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What human antihistamines are safe for dogs?
Dell Swaniawski
2025-08-09 18:02:50
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Diphenhydramine, cetirizine, and loratadine are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions in humans. Antihistamines are usually safe for dogs but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. 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. 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.
Jacey Hintz
2025-08-09 16:55:21
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Given at a therapeutic dose, some antihistamines are safe for our furry friends. Some of the most common antihistamines available include diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine and fexofenadine. You should always check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any type of medication to ensure that it is pet-safe and that you are administering the right dosage. Not dissimilar to us humans, they can also be treated with a therapeutic dose of pet-safe antihistamines. With many different types of antihistamines on the market, it’s hard to know which are safe for your pet. The amount needed for a human is going to be much different from the dosing in pets.
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Sheridan Wiegand
2025-08-09 16:55:20
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According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), you can give the antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) to your dog, but you should always check with your vet first. Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved Benadryl for dogs, it is safe in the appropriate dose, and it is commonly used by vets to treat skin allergies that cause itching and scratching. Other antihistamines can also be given to dogs, based on their weight. These include the below antihistamines: Cetirizine 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight or 10 to 20 milligrams per dog, once or twice per day. Clemastine 0.1 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, two times per day. Chlorpheniramine Dogs under 20 kilograms 4 milligrams, three times per day Dogs over 20 kilograms 8 milligrams, three times per day. Cyproheptadine 0.25 to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, three times per day. Fexofenadine 2 to 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, once or twice per day. Hydroxyzine 0.5 to 2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, three to four times per day. Terfenadine 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, two times per day. Trimeprazine 1 milligram per kilogram of body weight, two times per day. The safest dose is different for different antihistamines, so always check with your vet first.
Darrel Botsford
2025-08-09 19:32:56
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Cetirizine (Zyrtec) ¼ – ½ mg per pound (one 10mg tab per 30-40 lbs) twice daily.
Loratadine (Claritin): ¼ mg per pound (half of a 10mg tablet per 20 lbs) once daily.
Clemastine (Tavist-1, Antihist-1): 0.02mg per pound (one 1.34mg tablet per 65lb dog) twice daily.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): 1mg per pound (one 25mg tablet for a 25lb dog) twice daily.
May be sedating – may be beneficial to use an night to aid sleeping.
Hydroxyzine: 1mg per pound (one 25mg tablet for a 25lb dog) twice daily.
Each antihistamine should be given for a 2-3 week trial before determining that it is not effective.
In any individual patient, one antihistamine may be significantly more effective than another.
Therefore, you may need to try several until one is found that does help, before determining that they are not effective in your dog.
Please note that some liquid or rapid-dissolving tablet forms of antihistamines may contain the artificial sugar, xylitol, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Other artificial sugars, such as sorbitol, are safe.
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