Home Dog Health 15 Safe Human Medications for Dogs

15 Safe Human Medications for Dogs

Last Updated: Mar 19, 2025

In most cases, you should only give your dog medicines manufactured specifically for them.

Most medicines for humans can be toxic for our pups due to the physical and chemical differences between dogs and humans.

Certain chemicals found in human medicine, like acetaminophen, cannot be broken down by a dog's body.

As a result, the chemicals attach to the dog's liver and slowly destroy it.

Other than the fact that dogs are dogs and not humans, the size of your pet also matters when considering human meds for dogs.

Even when a medication is safe for animal use, the dosage may not be safe.

You should never try to “figure out” the dosage for your pet simply based on the label of human medication.

That said, there are still safe human medications for dogs that you can stock up on at home—although these must only be given under veterinary supervision.

ALSO READ: How to Safely Buy Cheap Pet Meds Online (And Save Money)

15 Safest Human Medications for Dogs

It’s important to note that many factors can make “safe” human medications unsafe for dogs.

These factors include your dog's overall health, other medications being taken, breed, size, and age.

You should never give your pet anything not intended for them without consulting a veterinarian first.

You will also notice that, per the dosage warnings, we have NOT included any dosing information—this is done intentionally.

Only your vet can tell you this, and the package instructions for these medicines do not indicate any dosage for animal use, which makes sense.

Also, never rely on the internet for veterinary advice!

Call your vet for professional advice before using human medications on your pup.

1. Imodium (Loperamide)

Imodium is a tricky medication.

Some dogs with diarrhea can take loperamide as it's considered safe for them.

However, studies have shown that it can cause side effects in other dogs, so it should never be given without veterinary supervision.

For example, one study found that the Collie breed will get poisoning from loperamide.

Also, suppose Imodium is given to a dog that carries the MDR1 (multidrug resistance) gene mutation, a dog with diarrhea due to an infection or ingestion of a toxin, or a dog with certain health conditions.

In that case, Imodium can cause constipation, severe sedation, bloat, and pancreatitis.

If your dog is experiencing diarrhea, your vet can prescribe several other dog diarrhea medications and treatments; it is best to utilize one of these options instead.

2. Pepto-Bismol

Pepto-Bismol falls into much the same category as Imodium mentioned above.

It is one of the safer human medications for dogs, but only for certain breeds with specific conditions and only under veterinary supervision.

If your dog has diarrhea or an upset stomach, it’s best to use a dog diarrhea medication or stomach upset aids, but if you are in a pinch, make sure to call your vet before giving your dog Pepto-Bismol.

They will help you determine whether it’s safe for your dog and, if so, what the safe dosage is.

If you do get the go-ahead to give your dog Pepto-Bismol, be aware that if your dog needs an X-ray for any reason before the medication has passed, it may be mistaken for a metallic body in its gastrointestinal system, so make sure you notify your vet.

3. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine)

Benadryl is also a popular human medicine for dogs, often used in veterinary practice to treat allergies, motion sickness, and travel anxiety in animals.

But be wary because there were also cases of diphenhydramine poisoning in dogs.

If your pet is experiencing any of the illnesses mentioned above, call your vet first to confirm the Benadryl dosage specific to your dog.

Additionally, ask if the administration of Benadryl will negatively impact any of your dog’s current health conditions.

When giving Benadryl, you should look out for side effects such as sedation, salivation, increased respiration, urinary retention, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, increased appetite, and decreased appetite.

If your dog develops dilated pupils, agitation, seizures, rapid heartbeat, and constipation, you may have given your dog too much Benadryl.

Get to the emergency vet immediately.

4. Buffered Aspirin

Some veterinarians recommend buffered aspirin for dogs with pain due to arthritis, and studies found it to be better tolerated by dogs.

However, it is not generally the treatment of choice and will only be used on rare occasions.

While technically, it can be one of the safe human meds for dogs, many other (and better) dog-specific NSAIDs are available for pain.

There are even less potent pain relievers that are safer for dogs to take than you can procure from your vet.

If your vet recommends buffered aspirin for your pet, make sure that it does not contain added ingredients like acetaminophen and follow your veterinarian’s dosing instructions to a tee.

You should also keep in mind that even buffered aspirin administered under vet supervision can cause side effects like kidney damage or internal bleeding.

5. Tagamet (Cimetidine)

Cimetidine is sometimes prescribed as an extra-label drug in veterinary medicine to treat gastritis, reflux, and esophagitis and for treating mast cell tumors in dogs.

It was found to be safe and effective.

Although it is safe to use in most dogs, it's still best to consult your vet before use, as it can interact with a variety of other medicines and cause problems for senior dogs and pets with blood disorders.

Responsible use of Tagamet generally does not lead to side effects when used under vet supervision, and it has been used to treat pets very often.

However, an overdose of cimetidine can result in tachycardia and respiratory failure in the dog.

6. Prilosec (Omeprazole)

Omeprazole can be safely used in dogs with ulcers or excess stomach acid, but only if your vet has approved it and given proper dosing instructions.

Some studies found it to be more effective than the cimetidine mentioned above.

Dosing omeprazole for dogs is particularly important because it was developed for human use and has never been officially approved for animal use, even though studies found it safe and effective.

While it's safe, administering Prilosec to dogs without a vet check-up and consultation can cause complications by masking other health conditions in pets.

Omeprazole can also cause problems when combined with several other medications.

7. Hydrocortisone

Hydrocortisone creams can be used topically on your dog in small amounts for itchy skin, but they should never be used in areas where your dog can lick the cream away because it's toxic.

Make sure to use an Elizabethan collar to prevent licking until the area has healed.

Hydrocortisone cream should also be limited to short periods, and side effects such as behavior changes, weakness, and nausea should be monitored.

More companies are beginning to use this substance for pet products. You'll find OTC itch creams and skin infection treatments to contain this chemical.

It’s always best to use hydrocortisone products developed for dogs rather than human alternatives that may include toxic additives.

8. Lomotil (Atropine / Diphenoxylate)

Lomotil is used by humans to manage diarrhea and to treat diarrhea and colitis in dogs and cats.

Lomotil slows the digestive tract, improves the ability to absorb liquids, and reduces intestinal secretions. It has also been shown to relieve coughing.

Your vet should determine your dog's Lomotil dosing and treatment length based on age, size, breed, current health, and reason for needing treatment.

9. Dramamine (Dimenhydrinate)

Some veterinarians use Dramamine to treat travel sickness and travel-related anxiety in dogs.

Dogs can experience side effects from Dramamine, including difficulty urinating, dry mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of appetite.

While it's one of the safe human meds for dogs, it’s exceptionally important to consult a veterinarian for the correct dosing of Dramamine for your dog before using it.

Overdosing is quite easy and very common in pets. Signs that indicate an overdose include respiratory difficulty, seizures, lethargy, and coma.

Before you even try this drug, remember that there are other alternatives to Dramamine you can use that have fewer to no side effects, including herbal treatments and behavioral conditioning, as well as specific dog anxiety meds and tools like anxiety vests.

10. Gas-X (Simethicone)

Simethicone is used in humans and dogs to treat gas; however, it should not be used over long periods and should never be used without consulting your veterinarian.

It’s important to get dosing information from your vet and find out the cause of your dog’s gas.

Is their diet not agreeing with them? Are they suffering from an infection? Have they eaten something they shouldn’t have? The root of your dog’s gas must be identified to be properly treated.

If your veterinarian approves your dog's short-term use of simethicone, ensure you do not vary from their treatment plan.

Long-term use of simethicone can alter natural pH levels in your dog’s gastrointestinal system and lead to bacterial infection.

11. Pepcid-AC (Famotidine)

Veterinarians use Pepcid-AC or Famotidine to treat gastric and intestinal ulcers in dogs.

It's proven safe and works by suppressing stomach acid secretion so the ulceration can heal.

Famotidine is also used to treat reflux in dogs, to reduce stomach inflammation resulting from kidney failure, and to suppress histamine secretion in dogs with mast cell tumors.

It's used often and is one of the safer human medications for dogs, but studies show that continuous use makes it less effective over time.

Your vet must determine the dosage of Famotidine depending on your dog's condition.

Additionally, Famotidine is known to interact with various other medications and should not be given without your vet's clearance.

Famotidine overdose is not a common occurrence, but if your dog exhibits rapid heart rate, vomiting, pale gums, restlessness, or collapses, they may have overdosed.

12. Zyrtec (Cetirizine)

Zyrtec is a very popular brand used to treat allergy symptoms in humans, but it’s also been used in dogs for the same purpose, particularly in cases of chronic dermatitis.

It can also be used to treat hot spot itching.

Zyrtec is often used as an alternative to Benadryl in dogs that don’t tolerate Benadryl well.

Unlike many other human medications for dogs listed here, Cetirizine has been tested and is quite safe for dogs.

That said, it should never be given to dogs with compromised kidney function and should be used with care in senior dogs after you consult with a vet.

13. Claritin (Loratadine)

Claritin is another popular human allergy medication that can treat dogs with allergy symptoms and relieve inflammation related to mast cell tumors.

And reduce side effects from vaccines. In vivo and in vitro studies found it safe and sometimes effective for different conditions.

Before giving Claritin to your dog, talk to your vet about dosing information.

Even when giving Claritin under the supervision of a vet, watch for any side effects, including vomiting, diarrhea, urinary retention, and increased thirst.

Note that you should never give Claritin to your dog if they’re pregnant or if they are suffering from liver disease.

Additionally, Claritin-D specifically should never be given to dogs.

The “D” or decongestant in Claritin-D (pseudoephedrine) can be lethal to your dog, even in small doses.

14. Prednisone

Prednisone is found to be partially effective in treating inflammation from canine arthritis, autoimmune disease, allergies, and Addison’s disease.

This must be given by prescription, and your vet needs to oversee any treatment due to the side effects common to corticosteroid treatment.

Always give it exactly as directed by your vet and watch for troublesome side effects.

Side effects seen with Prednisone treatment include upset stomach, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue.

Prednisone can pose difficulties when given to dogs with liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease, hypothyroidism, stomach ulcers, or diabetes.

15. Zantac (Ranitidine)

Like a few medicines listed here, ranitidine is another histamine blocker.

It is sometimes used in dogs to reduce stomach acid, allowing ulcers to heal and reducing stomach acid in dogs with reflux.

Ranitidine was shown to be safe, but it was not as effective for these conditions.

However, it can still be used under veterinary supervision in dogs, cats, and horses, even though it's not approved for animal use.

Ranitidine should never be given to dogs with kidney disease or liver disease and should not be provided with food because it will reduce its effectiveness.

You should also be wary of combining ranitidine with any other medications, as it can cause problems.

Side effects from ranitidine are rare; however, if you notice diarrhea, consult your veterinarian, as this can be a side effect of ranitidine use.

Furthermore, if diarrhea is accompanied by or if you notice the following symptoms, do not give your dog anymore and seek emergency veterinary care immediately:

Symptoms of an irregular heartbeat
difficulty breathing
hives
swelling of the face/lips/tongue.

Safe Human Medications for Dogs

FAQs about Human Meds for Dogs

What human antibiotic is safe for dogs?

Some of the safest human antibiotics you can give your dog are:

amoxicillin
clindamycin
ceftriaxone
cefixime
doxycycline
and metronidazole

However, depending on your dog's breed, age, and weight, you'll need to consult your vet for the proper dosage.

What pain medication can I give my dog?

There are NSAIDs specifically formulated for dogs!

The ones approved by the FDA for dogs are:

Carprofen
Deracoxib
Firocoxib
Grapiprant
Meloxicam
Robenacoxib

What's a natural pain reliever for dogs?

There are many holistic and natural pain remedies you can give your dog.

The most popular supplements are Glucosamine and Chondroitin, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, CBD Oil, turmeric, and ginger.

You can also try to massage your dog, give them cold therapy, or try herbal medicines.

We have discussed this topic further in the article linked below!

Human Medications for Dogs: Before You Go…

You can definitely stock up on these safe human medications and share them with your dog (when necessary!)

But remember, and we cannot stress this enough: always talk to your veterinarian before giving your dog any medications!

If you want to read more about dog treatment options, check out the articles below!

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