Four Over the Counter Medicines That Are Safe For Your Dog

Sometimes our furry friends get sick and a trip to the veterinarian isn’t always the best answer. There are some medicines intended for people that are actually safe for your pets to help them feel better. Here are four medicines you should keep in your medicine cabinet for your sick pup.

1. Baby Aspirin

   Aspirin is safe to treat arthritis, fever, or general pain in most dogs. The general dosage is 5 mg per 1 pound every 12 hours. Be careful not to confuse aspirin with acetaminophen, as that can harm your dog. Aspirin can be toxic if your dog ingests more than he should, so make sure you know how much is too much for your dog’s weight. Aspirin should not be given to puppies or younger dogs.

2. Benadryl

   This is safe for most pups for allergies or allergic reactions. In order to ensure you give your pet the proper dosage, you’ll have to buy the tablet version instead of the capsule version so you’re able to break the pill into the correct size. Just like aspirin, Benadryl should be given at a dosage of 1 mg per 1 pound, but it can be given every 8 hours. This medicine may also make your pet sleepy, so make sure he will be able to take a nap when you give it to him.

3. Dramamine

   Does your dog have anxiety about riding in the car? Does your dog suffer from motion sickness on trips? You can give him Dramamine to prevent motion sickness in the car and because it contains anti-histamine, it is also useful at calming anxiousness in your pet. The recommended dosage is 3 mg per pound every 8 hours. It’s best to give it to your dog as least half an hour before your trip starts to give the medicine time to take effect.

4. Pepto-Bismol

   If your dog is having tummy troubles, you can give him Pepto-Bismol. Its effects usually work even more quickly on canines than on people. The recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon per 5 pounds per 6 hours. This should help if your dog is having diarrhea, an upset stomach, gas, or vomiting. If your dog doesn’t want to ingest liquid Pepto-Bismol, you can buy the chewable tablets and tuck them into a treat as you would any other pill.