{"id":628632,"date":"2024-06-17T12:37:07","date_gmt":"2024-06-17T16:37:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=628632"},"modified":"2026-04-09T14:17:25","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T18:17:25","slug":"zyrtec-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/zyrtec-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Zyrtec for cats: Dosage and safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zyrtec<\/span><\/a> is a brand-name <\/span>allergy medication<\/span><\/a> that can be purchased over the counter. The active ingredient in Zyrtec is <\/span>cetirizine<\/span><\/a>, a non-drowsy <\/span>antihistamine<\/span><\/a>. People buy Zyrtec to treat seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes, but antihistamines aren\u2019t as effective at relieving allergy symptoms in pets. Veterinarians may use it to relieve itchy skin in cats and dogs. Less commonly, veterinarians may use it in cats to treat chronic sinus and nasal inflammation when other drugs don\u2019t work. Although side effects are minimal, its use in animals is \u201c<\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n\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
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$9.34\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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What is Zyrtec used for in cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Veterinarians use Zyrtec or generic cetirizine in cats to treat itchy skin (pruritus) due to skin allergies, hives, or insect bites. However, antihistamines are not very effective at treating pruritus in cats, so they\u2019re not usually the first or best choice. Cetirizine is a suggested but unproven therapy to treat chronic swollen sinuses and nasal passages when other drugs don\u2019t work.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Itchy skin<\/span><\/h3>\n

As pet parents know, itchy skin is as common in pets as in humans. All the same causes, such as allergic reactions, hives, food allergies, flea bites, and insect bites, are to blame. Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS), an itchy skin condition related to environmental allergies, is <\/span>the most common feline skin condition<\/span><\/a> veterinarians treat.<\/span><\/p>\n

In people, persistently itchy skin is often due to histamines. These chemicals activate the immune system and cause skin to swell and grow red. They also activate the nerves that cause itching sensations. Zyrtec works by attaching to histamine receptors on skin and nerve cells so that histamines can\u2019t provoke swelling and itching.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s how histamines and antihistamines work in humans. Unfortunately, histamines don\u2019t affect cats as powerfully as they affect people. So Zyrtec and other antihistamines have less of an effect on itchiness in cats than they do in humans.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>standard treatment<\/span><\/a> for itchy skin in cats is <\/span>corticosteroids<\/span><\/a> such as <\/span>prednisolone<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>dexamethasone<\/span><\/a>. Because corticosteroids can have pronounced side effects, veterinarians usually use antihistamines as an <\/span>add-on treatment<\/span><\/a> so they can reduce the corticosteroid dose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Stop the itch: How to treat allergies in cats and dogs<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS)<\/span><\/h3>\n

Rhinosinusitis is swelling of the nasal passages (rhinitis) and sinuses (sinusitis). It is a common symptom of allergies, viral infections, bacterial infections, and fungal infections. Sometimes, the swelling doesn\u2019t clear up but continues for a month or longer. That\u2019s when it\u2019s considered <\/span>chronic rhinosinusitis<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians are unsure what causes chronic rhinosinusitis in cats, but it typically follows an infection. Over time, <\/span>the condition could damage tissues in the nose and sinuses<\/span><\/a>, depriving the cat of an important filtration system that protects the lungs from foreign debris and microorganisms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Veterinarians don\u2019t have sure-fire treatments for chronic rhinosinusitis in cats. The condition may not be curable but can be managed. The standard and most successful treatment involves <\/span>antibiotics<\/span><\/a>. If those don\u2019t work, unproven or marginally successful treatments include corticosteroids, nasal lavage, humidifiers, immune suppressants, and second-generation antihistamines such as Zyrtec.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Is Zyrtec safe for cats?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Zyrtec is safe for cats but may not be very effective at relieving itchiness. Cats with hypersensitivity to cetirizine or a similar drug called <\/span>hydroxyzine<\/span><\/a> cannot safely be given Zyrtec.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Never give a cat <\/span>Zyrtec-D<\/span><\/a>, a drug that combines cetirizine with pseudoephedrine, a decongestant. Any over-the-counter medication that contains pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine will endanger your pet. <\/span>Even a small dose might be toxic<\/span><\/a>, causing high blood pressure and a fast heart rate.<\/span><\/p>\n

Side effects of Zyrtec in cats<\/span><\/h3>\n

Zyrtec side effects in cats are uncommon and not well-documented. The most likely side effect is sleepiness. Side effects in humans also include:<\/span><\/p>\n