{"id":627792,"date":"2024-04-15T10:04:55","date_gmt":"2024-04-15T14:04:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627792"},"modified":"2026-01-30T17:13:43","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T22:13:43","slug":"cetirizine-for-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/cetirizine-for-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Cetirizine for dogs: Dosage and safety of generic Zyrtec"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cetirizine<\/span><\/a> is an <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> (OTC) <\/span>antihistamine<\/span><\/a> that relieves <\/span>seasonal <\/span>allergy<\/span><\/a> symptoms<\/span> such as <\/span>sneezing<\/span> and a runny nose in people. It is a generic drug that\u2019s available as brand-name Zyrtec. Even though the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn\u2019t approved <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> for use in animals, veterinarians may prescribe it to treat dogs with <\/span>itchy<\/span> skin due to atopic dermatitis or allergies. It\u2019s important to only give your dog <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> under the direction of a veterinarian, but here\u2019s what you can expect.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What is <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> used for in dogs?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A benefit of <\/span>antihistamines<\/span> like <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> is that they can be used with oral or topical <\/span>corticosteroids<\/span><\/a>, the most effective treatment for canine <\/span>itchy<\/span> skin. The combination works well and <\/span>allows for lower steroid doses<\/span><\/a>, helping to reduce the <\/span>side effects<\/span> of corticosteroid treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Stop the itch: How to treat allergies in cats and dogs<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\tCetirizine 10 mg (30 Tablet)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23666 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Kroger\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Harris\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Cetirizine prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/b><\/p>\n

Zyrtec (cetirizine)<\/span> dosage for dogs<\/span><\/h2>\n

There are no veterinary <\/span>formulations<\/span> of <\/span>cetirizine, so there is no \u201cdog Zyrtec dosing chart,\u201d per se. However, <\/span>the <\/span>Merck Veterinary Manual<\/span><\/a> suggests a once- or twice-daily dose of 10\u201320 mg tablets. Alternatively, your veterinarian may prescribe a once-daily or twice-daily dose by weight, which is usually 1 mg\/kg (0.45 mg\/lb).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Dog Zyrtec dosing chart by weight<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Forms<\/b><\/td>\n<5 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n5\u201310 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n11\u201320 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n21\u201350 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n50\u2013100 lbs<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5 mg or 10 mg tablet of Zyrtec or cetirizine<\/span><\/td>\n\u00bd of a 5 mg tablet<\/span><\/td>\n1, 5 mg tablet<\/span><\/td>\n1, 10 mg tablet<\/span><\/td>\n1,10 mg tablet twice a day<\/span><\/td>\n2, 10 mg tablets twice a day<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

*This table is for general guidance only. Always follow your veterinarian\u2019s instructions when administering medication to pets.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/small><\/small><\/p>\n

Pet parents must rely on human products such as tablets, <\/span>chews<\/span>, or <\/span>oral syrup<\/span>. Tablets can be <\/span>purchased <\/span>over the counter<\/span><\/a>, but <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> oral syrup<\/span> can only be purchased <\/span>with a prescription<\/span><\/a> from your veterinarian. You can take the prescription to your regular pharmacy or to a <\/span>compounding pharmacy<\/span><\/a>, which can create flavored medications that picky dogs are more willing to take.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to give your dog Zyrtec (<\/span>cetirizine)<\/span><\/h2>\n

You can provide liquid or tablet forms of cetirizine<\/span> to your dog. Although Zyrtec and cetirizine are generally safe for dogs, some products, such as <\/span>Zyrtec<\/span>-D Allergy & Congestion, combine <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> and the <\/span>decongestant<\/span> pseudoephedrine<\/span>. Those medications should never be given to dogs, as <\/span>pseudoephedrine<\/span> could poison and harm the dog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Follow all your veterinarian\u2019s instructions, which may include:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians may use <\/span>cetirizine<\/span> to treat <\/span>itchy<\/span> skin (<\/span>pruritus<\/span>) in dogs due to atopic dermatitis. However, it may also be used to treat any itch involving <\/span>histamines<\/span>, such as <\/span>allergic reactions<\/span>, <\/span>insect bites<\/span>, or <\/span>hives<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n