Antihistamines. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), and loratadine (Claritin®) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions. Antihistamines are usually safe but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, and improvement of your pet's signs should follow.
1. Drowsiness: Piriton is an antihistamine, so it can make your dogs drowsy in the same way it does humans. Before giving it to your pup, make sure the dosage is correct.
Loratadine (Claritin) might make you sleepy, which can affect your ability to focus, think, or react. This side effect is more likely to happen if you drink alcohol while taking this medication or take other medications that also cause sleepiness (e.g., opioids, certain anxiety medications, sleep medications).
Zyrtec and Claritin are both second generation antihistamines with low risk of sedation; however, Zyrtec is more likely to cause sedation than Claritin.
Dry mouth, mild stomach upset, trouble sleeping, dizziness, headache, nervousness, loss of appetite, or thirst may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Can I Give My Dog Claritin? Yes, you can, but with precautions and supervision of your veterinarian. In humans, Loratadine helps to relieve allergy symptoms. In dogs, it can treat skin sensitivity caused by allergic reactions, help lessen inflammations linked to mast cell tumors, and reduce vaccination reactions.
The most common side effect of using Zyrtec for dogs is drowsiness. It's still relatively rare, but it can occur when your dog is just starting to take the medication, or if the dosage is too high. Smaller dog breeds are more susceptible to this side effect.
Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of overdose.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec® or Reactine®) is one of the most commonly used over-the-counter antihistamines recommended by veterinarians. Claritin® can be used but is not typically recommended by veterinarians as some forms of Claritin® contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine which is very toxic to dogs.
One of the benefits of Claritin over other antihistamines, like Benadryl, is that it's less likely to make your dog feel overly drowsy. Although in some cases, you might notice your dog seeming a little more relaxed. Some other side effects could include stomach issues or dry mouth.
Usually, Claritin will not have any real adverse effect on your dog. However, you should never mix it with any other H1 histamine antagonists, as this may lead to an overdose.
Benadryl is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases.
You may be wondering whether Claritin or Zyrtec is the best pet allergy medicine—but which antihistamine works best for you depends on the severity of your symptoms. For example, a person with a mild allergy to cats or dogs may do well with Claritin. Another person with more severe allergies may do better with Zyrtec.
Loratadine (Claritin): ¼ mg per pound (half of a 10mg tablet per 20 lbs) once daily. twice daily. Dogs > 60 lbs: 50mg PER POUND of combined EPA and DHA daily. recommend “Welactin” due to it's high-potency and purity.
Acepromazine is the most commonly prescribed oral sedative for dogs. It is a member of the phenothiazine class of sedatives and works primarily by blocking dopamine receptors within the brain, thereby depressing certain brain functions.
Apoquel is associated with more side effects than Zyrtec or CBD – some of them quite serious. Zyrtec and CBD alone or combined are likely safer for your dog if they successfully control your pet's itching and inflammation.
If your dog is prescribed antihistamines you will need to try them for 2-3 weeks to see if it helps. If it doesn't, you'll need to stop giving it to your dog and try another until you find one that works, following the advice of your vet.
Other safe antihistamines for dogs include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). They produce less sedation than Benadryl does but could still make your dog drowsy. Warning: Make sure your OTC allergy medicine only contains antihistamine.
Claritin for Dogs Usage Guidelines
While a helpful decongestant in people, pseudoephedrine is toxic to pets (dogs and cats). On the other hand, the Claritin Junior formulation is safe for dogs and can be convenient for use in toy dogs as it contains low Loratadine amounts (2.5 mg per tablet).
The main difference between Claritin and Claritin-D is that Claritin-D contains an added ingredient called pseudoephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant that is added for further relief of nasal congestion and sinus pressure.
What time of day should I take Claritin®? Claritin® products are non-drowsy and can be taken at any time. Do not take more than one dose every 12 hours if you are using a 12-hour product, or one dose every 24 hours if you are using a 24-hour product.