How Much Zyrtec Can You Give 15 Pound Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Another general rule of thumb is to give dogs weighing under 15lbs only

half a tablet of 10mg Zyrtec

. Dogs weighing between 15-50lbs can get one tablet, and dogs weighing more than 50lbs can get two tablets or 20mg. These doses can be given twice daily.

How much Zyrtec can I give my 14 pound dog?

Zyrtec comes in 5 and 10-milligram tablets and can be given either every 24 hours for atopic dermatitis or every 12 hours for allergy symptoms. The 10 mg pills are okay for dogs between 10 and 50 lbs, though

5-10 lb dogs should only take half (or a 5-mg tablet.)

How much Zyrtec Can I give a 16 pound dog?

It is approximately half the cost of Zyrtec per pill, but requires dosing twice daily instead of once. The average dog would get 1/4mg per pound; for example, a 16lb dog would get

a single 4 mg tablet twice daily

.

How much Zyrtec can I give my 10 lb dog?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

1⁄4 – 1⁄2 mg per pound (one 10mg tab per 30-40 lbs) twice daily

. Loratadine (Claritin): 1⁄4 mg per pound (half of a 10mg tablet per 20 lbs) once daily. Clemastine (Tavist-1, Antihist-1): 0.02mg per pound (one 1.34mg tablet per 65lb dog) twice daily.

Can you give a dog Zyrtec for itching?


Yes, you can give your dog Zyrtec

. In fact, Zyrtec is one of the safest over-the-counter medications for dogs. It is an excellent first-aid choice and has wide safety margins – it is not likely to cause any issues even if given in large doses. Zyrtec is the brand name for the antihistamine cetirizine hydrochloride.

Will Zyrtec help my dogs itching?

Cetirizine (brand name Zyrtec®, Reactine®) is an antihistamine

used to treat 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’ or ‘extra label’.

Is Zyrtec or Benadryl better for dogs?


Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most popular antihistamine for humans and can be effective for dogs as well

. Just be aware that Benadryl has sedative properties, so your dog could get very drowsy. Other safe antihistamines for dogs include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine).

What if I give my dog too much Zyrtec?

Never give your dog Zyrtec-D. The “D” stands for pseudoephedrine, which is used to deal with congestion in humans. However, it can have lethal consequences if given to a dog.

It overstimulates their central nervous system and heart, causing canine seizures, heart failure, and potentially death

.

What is the best antihistamine for dog allergies?

Best allergy medicine for pet allergies
Claritin (loratadine)


10 mg orally once per day

Get coupon
Allegra (fexofenadine) 180 mg orally once per day, or 60 mg twice per day Get coupon Zyrtec (cetirizine) 5 mg and 10 mg tablets (also available as a syrup and chewable) Get coupon

How much Zyrtec can I give my 20 lb dog?

The standard Zyrtec dose for dogs is generally 0.5mg per pound of body weight, not exceeding 20 mg per day. For example, a 20 pound dog should receive

10mg of Zyrtec for their once daily dose

.

Can dogs take Zyrtec and Benadryl together?

Both are antihistamines and giving them together may cause stronger side effects.

It is NOT recommended

. Give one or the other based on your dog’s weight and only under the advice of your veterinarian.

How long does Zyrtec take to work in dogs?

If you provide the proper amount, your dog will be less likely to experience those unfavorable side effects from the medication. Zyrtec will act quickly once your dog digests it, and within

1-2 hours

you should be able to see signs of improvement.

Can you cut Zyrtec in half?

Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also,

do not split the tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so

. Swallow the whole or split tablet without crushing or chewing.

Will Zyrtec hurt my dog?

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

.

Can dogs have antihistamines for itching?

If your pet’s skin is damaged or inflamed, we may administer a low dose of corticosteroids.

We can also prescribe antihistamines if the allergy is seasonal

. Once the offending allergen disappears from the environment, your dog will no longer need to take the antihistamines.

Is Zyrtec the same as Apoquel?

The reason for this is Zyrtec is rather low-risk, however,

it’s not as effective as the drug Apoquel

. Zyrtec’s main issue is that it’s an antihistamine which studies have found to only help about 30% of dogs with 25% of them having adverse reactions.

How many mL of Zyrtec can I give my dog?

Liquid Dosage:

Children’s Aller-Tec

®

contains 1 mg/mL cetirizine which means it can be given to your dog at a dosage of

0.5 mL/lb

. Use twice daily for allergic dermatitis and once daily for atopic dermatitis. Example Dosage: A 50 lb dog with allergic dermatitis could be given 25 mg twice daily.

Can you give dogs Zyrtec or Claritin?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec): 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 mg per pound (one 10mg tab per 30-40 lbs) twice daily. Loratadine (Claritin): 1⁄4 mg per pound (half of a 10mg tablet per 20 lbs) once daily. twice daily. Dogs > 60 lbs: 50mg PER POUND of combined EPA and DHA daily.

What allergy medicine is safe for dogs?

The most common antihistamine for dogs is

diphenhydramine, brand name Benadryl

. Also found in ProSense Dog Itch & Allergy Solutions Tablets, diphenhydramine is safe in most dogs if given in the recommended dosage of 1 mg of diphenhydramine per pound of body weight given by mouth.

What can I give a dog for allergies?


Benadryl

is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases.

What is the best anti itch medicine for dogs?

  • Healers Hot Spot Relief Hydrocortisone Dog & Cat Ointment. …
  • Vet’s Best Moisture Mist Conditioner for Dogs. …
  • Vetnique Labs Dermabliss Hydrocortisone Spray Anti-Itch & Allergy Relief Soothing Medicated Dog & Cat Spray. …
  • Dr. …
  • Wondercide Skin Tonic Itch + Allergy Relief Dog & Cat Spray.

How many allergy pills can a dog take?

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the safe dosage is

2-4 milligrams of medication per kilogram of weight, or 0.9 to 1.8 milligrams per pound

. This amount can be administered two to three times daily, depending on your dog’s symptoms.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.