Over-the-Counter Medications for Cats and Dogs

Pepcid / Famotidine

• 1 mg per 2 lbs of your pet’s body weight every 12 hours (twice a day)

For example, if your pet weighs 20 lbs, give one 10mg tablet (regular strength) every 12 hours (twice a day).

———OR———

Prilosec / Omeprazole

• 1 mg per 2 lbs of your pet’s body weight every 24 hours (once a day)

For example, if your pet weighs 10 lbs, give ½ of one tablet (½ of a 20 mg tablet) every 24 hours (once a day).

Feeding recommendations:

You can feed your pet 1 tablespoon every 2 to 3 hours while making sure your pet is able to hold food down. 

Types of food:

• Stage II baby food (meat-based) 

• Low Fat Gastrointestinal foods

• Boiled chicken and rice (bland—no spices!)

• Ground beef and rice (also bland)

• Boiled salmon and rice (still bland!)

• Sweet potato or pumpkin puree

Metamucil / Psyllium

UNFLAVORED!

• 1 teaspoon every 12 hours (twice a day) for cats or small dogs

• 1-2 tablespoons every 12 hours (twice a day) for medium to large dogs

———OR———

Imodium / Loperamide

• 1 mg per 20 lbs of your pet’s body weight every 12 hours (twice a day)

So, if your pet weighs 20 lbs, give ½ of a tablet (2 mg tablet) every 12 hours (twice a day).

Stop as soon as the diarrhea resolves.

Feeding recommendations:

Try to feed your pet enough fiber. Bland meat as described below is easy on the stomach, and always include some sort of starch, like rice! Sweet potato and/or pumpkin puree can also help firm-up soft stool.

Types of food:

• Stage II baby food (meat-based) 

• Low Fat Gastrointestinal foods

• Boiled chicken and rice (bland—no spices!)

• Ground beef and rice (also bland)

• Boiled salmon and rice (still bland!)

• Sweet potato or pumpkin puree

Benadryl / Diphenhydramine

• 1 mg per 1 lb of your pet’s body weight every 12 hours (twice a day) as needed

For example, if your pet weighs 25 lbs, give one tablet (regular strength) every 12 hours (twice a day) as needed.

———OR———

Zyrtec / Cetirizine

• 1 mg per 2 lbs of your pet’s body weight every 24 hours (once a day) as needed

For example, if your pet weighs 10 lbs, give ½ of a tablet (10 mg tablet) every 24 hours (once a day) as needed.

Alaway / Pataday

• 1 drop in the affected eye every 12 hours (twice a day) as needed

Miralax / Polyethylene glycol

UNFLAVORED!

• ½ teaspoon every 12 hours (twice a day) for cats and small dogs

• 1 teaspoon-1 tablespoon every 12 hours (twice a day) for medium to large dogs

———OR———

Metamucil / Psyllium

UNFLAVORED!

• 1 teaspoon every 12 hours (twice a day) for cats or small dogs

• 1-2 tablespoons every 12 hours (twice a day) for medium to large dogs