The following is a list of common household human medications that can be used on pets. These medications can be especially useful if you can’t reach a veterinarian.
| Product |
Common Usage |
Dog Dosage |
Cat Dosage |
| Buffered Aspirin |
Pain relief, anti-inflammatory |
5 mg per lb. every 12 hours |
NOT RECOMMENDED |
| Vitamin B |
Used as an appetite stimulant |
½ to 2 ml subcutaneously every 24 hours |
½ to 1 ml subcutaneously every 24 hours |
| Benadryl |
Treats allergies, itching, etc. |
½ mg per lb. every 8 hrs (maximum dose 2 mg per lb.) |
½ mg per lb. every 8 hrs (maximum dose 2 mg per lb.) |
| Dramamine |
Reduces motion (car) sickness |
Up to 50 mg every 8 hours |
Up to 10 mg every 8 hours |
| Hydrogen Peroxide 3% |
Used to induce vomiting after accidental ingestion of poison |
10 ml by mouth every 15 minutes |
10 ml by mouth every 15 minutes |
| Epinephrine 1:1000 |
Used to treat reactions following medications, insect stings & bites |
1/10 to ½ ml intramuscular or subcutaneously |
1/20 to 2/10 ml intramuscular or subcutaneously |
| Pepto Bismol |
For diarrhea, vomiting and anti-gas |
1 teaspoon per 5 lbs every 6 hours |
NOT RECOMMENDED |
| Di Gel Liquid |
Antacid and anti-gas |
Up to 4 tablespoons every 8 hours |
Up to 2 tablespoons every 8 hours |
| Mineral Oil |
Eliminates constipation |
Up to 4 tablespoons daily |
Up to 2 teaspoons daily |
| *Kaopectate |
Relieves diarrhea |
1 ml per lb. every 2 hours |
1 ml per lb. every 2 hours |
| Tylenol (Acetaminophen) |
NOT RECOMMENDED |
NOT RECOMMENDED |
NOT RECOMMENDED |
Subsalicylate is an aspirin derivative and just one tablespoonful of the new kaopectate contains 130 mg of aspirin equivalent. The extra strength version contains 230 mg.
The maximum recommended safe dose of aspirin for cats is 25 mg per kilo which means that a smallish cat (5 lbs) given 1 tablespoon of the extra strength might suffer toxic effects. Some cats are quite sensitive to salicylates. So be careful.
Note: some dogs are also sensitive.
