Correct Dosage Of Zyrtec For Dogs Generally, one tablet a day is safe for dogs to take, but the amount can vary greatly depending on your dog's size and symptoms.
It is recommended to give your dog 0.5mg per pound of body weight. You can safely give Zyrtec to your dog up to 20 mg per day. It should only be administered orally.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl): 1mg per pound (one 25mg tablet for a 25lb dog) twice daily. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) ¼ - ½ mg per pound (one 10mg tab per 30-40 lbs) twice daily.
Dosing Information of Cetirizine for Dogs and Cats
Medication should never be administered without first consulting your veterinarian. Cetirizine is dosed in dogs at 0.5 mg per pound (1 mg/kg) orally once to twice daily. In cats, cetirizine is dosed at a total dose of 5 mg per cat once daily.
cetirizine (Zyrtec®) – also second gen. It is available as 10 mg tablets and either 1 mg/ml or 10 mg/ml oral solution. The dosage is 5–20 mg/dog once daily.
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.
Cetirizine (Zyrtec®, Reactine®) is an antihistamine used to treat and prevent pruritus (itching) associated with atopic dermatitis, urticaria (hives), and insect bite reactions in cats and dogs. Its use is in cats and dogs is 'off-label'. Many drugs are commonly prescribed for off-label use in veterinary medicine.
Pet allergy relief
ZYRTEC® starts working at hour 1 and stays strong day after day, so you can reduce your cat and dog allergy symptoms. Learn more about ZYRTEC®.
If an antihistamine has an additional active ingredient, like pseudoephedrine, your pet may experience severe hyperactivity, hallucinations and even seizures. Because it does not take much of this ingredient to become detrimental, exposures can be life-threatening.
ZYRTEC® Allergy Dye-Free Chewables
Adults and children 6 years and older Chew and swallow 2 tablet (10 mg) once daily; do not take more than 1 tablet (10 mg) in 24 hours. A 5 mg product may be appropriate for less severe symptoms. Adults 65 years and over Ask a doctor. Adults with liver or kidney disease Ask a doctor.
Zyrtec is active for up to 24 hours, so your dog will be free from a runny nose, itchy skin, sneezing, and other symptoms for the whole day. Also, Zyrtec is safer and has fewer side effects than other allergy medicine, which makes it the best remedy for your dog during the spring season.
Allergies in dogs are different than allergies in people. Histamines cause upper respiratory allergies in people, whereas cytokines (not histamines) cause itchy skin in dogs. For dogs with underlying allergies, antihistamines don't control the cytokines (signaling proteins) that cause inflammation and itch.
Over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) and cetirizine (Zyrtec®) relieve allergy symptoms in both humans and dogs. Because certain antihistamines (e.g., Benadryl) can cause drowsiness, they are sometimes used to help calm dogs with anxiety.
Yes, Claritin can be safe and effective for dogs. Vets recommend that you give your dog approximately 0.1 to 0.5 milligrams/pound of body weight once to twice daily. However, check with your vet before administering any medication to ensure it's safe for your dog.
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.
Cetirizine can be taken at any time of the day. In most people it is non-sedating, so they take it in the morning. However, a percentage of people do find it to be sedating so if it does make you drowsy it is best to take it in the evening. Cetirizine can be taken with or without food.
ANTI-histamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), and hydroxyzine, are commonly taken by humans to treat allergy symptoms and can be used for dogs as well. These medications work by preventing histamine from binding to cells and exerting its effects.
Antihistamines with the active ingredients of diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, cetirizine, clemastine or loratadine are usually safe for most healthy adult dogs. Hydroxyzine is another dog-safe antihistamine and one of the most effective available, but it's only available on prescription.
Some of the best oral antihistamines for dog allergies include Curist Allergy Relief (levocetirizine), fexofenadine (brand Allegra), and cetirizine (brand Zyrtec), which can help reduce your sneezing and itching.
Apoquel is used to help dogs with their skin itching and inflammation caused by allergies. 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.
Here's the recommended Zyrtec dosage for dogs based on their weight: Less than 10 pounds: 2.5 milligrams (half of a 5-milligram pill or a quarter of a 10-milligram pill) 10–50 pounds: One 10-milligram tablet. 50+ pounds: Up to two 10-milligram tablets.
Response and effectiveness. Peak concentrations are reached within one hour of administration of Zyrtec tablets or syrup. The onset of effect occurs within 20 minutes in 50% of people and within an hour in 95%. Effects persist for at least 24 hours following a single dose of Zyrtec.