Over-the-Counter

Medications for Cats and Dogs

Click on the lists below to see our recommendations

for medications and dosages that can help many pet issues.

Cutting pills may be required.

Always round up to the nearest pound.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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

    • 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

If any issue persists for more than 24 hours with no improvement, please give our office a call at (917) 675-6270 and schedule an appointment!