loratadine (Claratyne®) – also second gen. It is available as 10 mg tablets. The dose is 5–20 mg/dog once daily.
Claritin-D should never be administered to your dog as it contains pseudoephedrine which is lethal to dogs.
Vets generally prescribe Claritin for dogs in a dosage 0.2 milligrams per pound of body weight. This can translate as giving a small dog around 5 milligrams of Claritin every day, or 10 milligrams for a larger dog.
The average dog would get 1/4mg per pound; for example, a 16lb dog would get a single 4 mg tablet twice daily. This is one of the few prescription-only antihistamines used in veterinary medicine. Dosing is very similar to Benedryl at 1mg per pound body weight 2-3 times daily.
Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless recommended by your doctor.
What happens if I take more than one dose of Claritin®? Taking more than the recommended dose of Claritin® may cause drowsiness. In the case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away- always follow label directions.
Veterinarians use diphenhydramine, commonly known by the brand name Benadryl, for dogs on a regular basis to treat allergies, travel anxiety, and motion sickness.
loratadine (Claratyne®) – also second gen. It is available as 10 mg tablets. The dose is 5–20 mg/dog once daily.
Given at a therapeutic dose, some antihistamines are safe for our furry friends. However, an overdose of these medications can be dangerous.
Do not give your dog Claritin-D because it contains pseudoephedrine, which is highly toxic to dogs.
Claritin dosage for dogs. The regular dosage of Claritin (loratadine) for dogs is 0.2 mg for each pound your dog weighs. Typically vets will recommend 5 mg every 24 hours for small to mid-size dogs, and 10 mg a day for larger dogs such as Labradors.
This medication will take effect quickly, in about 1 to 2 hours, and improvement of your pet's signs should follow.
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.
Claritin is used to treat symptoms like runny noses and hives in humans, but it is primarily used to address itchy skin in dogs. It is not, however, appropriate for emergency use, such as during a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Benadryl Tablets
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the standard dose for Benadryl is 2-4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.9-1.8 milligrams (mg) of Benadryl per pound. Therefore, a simple and practical dose is 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of your dog's weight, given 2-3 times a day.
Benadryl is safe to give your dog for allergies, anxiety, motion sickness, and vaccine side effects. Though a typical Benadryl pill is 25 mg, you should only give your dog 0.9-1.8 mg per pound of weight.
A standard dose of Benadryl for dogs is one mg per one pound, or 2.2 mg per one kilogram.
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.
Mild motion sickness in dogs can be treated with Phenergan or Benadryl antihistamine tablets (see doses above) which may also cause mild drowsiness. Ginger products used for people also appear safe.
Fexofenadine, commonly known as Allegra® or Telfast®, is a second generation antihistamine drug that may be used for dogs and cats to control itching and other signs related to allergic conditions.
Do not take more than one dose in 24 hours. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Yes, someone can overdose on Claritin® (loratadine). When taking Claritin®, do not go over the recommended dosage. Do not take another dose before the instructions say to do so. Read the instructions on the box carefully, and ask your doctor if you have any questions about how to take this medication.
Zyrtec and Claritin have different active compounds. Zyrtec contains cetirizine hydrochloride, also called cetirizine HCL, while Claritin contains loratadine. Zyrtec and Claritin are second-generation antihistamines.