Piriton for dogs is safe as long as it’s given in the correct dose. Typically, the dosage is calculated by your dog’s weight, for example, a dog that weighs 5kg takes 1mg. In this article you can find a table with more information about dosage, exactly what Piriton is, how often you should give it to your dog, potential side effects, and more.
What Is Piriton?
Piriton is a brand of antihistamine that uses an active ingredient known as chlorpheniramine maleate which can be found in a variety of antihistamines. Certain brands like Piriteze don’t use this active ingredient but rather use cetirizine hydrochloride.
Chlorpheniramine maleate works by preventing a substance called histamine from responding negatively to an allergen. It can be used as an antihistamine for dogs, since it is perfectly safe as long as it’s given in the correct doses, and helps with all sorts of allergies, hives, or hay fever.
Can I Give My Dog Piriton?
Some symptoms of allergies are sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, coughing and/or wheezing, watery, red, or itchy eyes, and hives or a rash on your dog’s skin. If your dog is suffering from any of these symptoms, they may need to take Piriton to block histamine which stops the body from responding to an environmental trigger.
Although Piriton is technically safe for dogs, the wrong dose, using it for the wrong condition, or using it on a dog that is already on other medication can have extremely negative results.
This is why, as with all medicine that is traditionally made for humans, it’s important to be very cautious and to seek veterinary advice.
It is also good to note that you should be careful when giving your dog Piriton because of the ingredients. Depending on the country, some of the ingredients can vary. The ingredients you should watch out for are: amphetamine, caffeine, pseudoephedrine, and alcohol. Any of these could poison your dog.
How Much Piriton Can I Give My Dog?
To find out how much Piriton you can give your dog you should consult your veterinarian and always follow their advice closely.
The required Piriton dose for dogs depends on the weight. A typical dose prescription is 0.2 of Piriton tablets per kg of the dog’s body weight. Take a look at the following table for a general guide:
| Dog Weight (KG) | Tablet Dose (mg) |
| 5 | 1 |
| 6 | 1.2 |
| 7 | 1.4 |
| 8 | 1.6 |
| 9 | 1.8 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 11 | 2.2 |
| 12 | 2.4 |
| 13 | 2.6 |
| 14 | 2.8 |
| 15 | 3 |
How Often To Give Your Dog Piriton?
Dogs usually need to take Piriton once every 8 – 12 hours for up to three times daily.
If you’re wondering how long this will go on for; well, it depends.
Just like us humans, dogs can have allergic reactions causing scratching, runny noses, red or swollen eyes, and excessive paw licking or chewing. The most common causes are dust mites, pollen, hives, insect bites, fleas, and grass.
If the allergen can be identified and removed, then treatment for an allergic reaction can be avoided but this is often not possible to do.
Allergens can be difficult to identify and remove from the environment, so the use of Piriton is often seasonal and ongoing. Some dogs only need to take Piriton before going out on adventures during spring and summer.
Side Effects
As with all medications, there are several potential side effects – although they are generally rare. These include: drowsiness, constipation or diarrhea, excessive thirst or a dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, and a change in behavior.
For anyone with concerns regarding any side effects, consult your vet beforehand.
Drowsiness is the most common side effect, as it can happen when humans take this medication as well, and this should not raise any concern unless you think you have given your dog too much Piriton; in which case you should contact your vet right away.
Diarrhea occurs due to the stomach being upset from the medicine and it is also a normal reaction. Only contact your vet about it if it’s persistent.
Make sure that your dog has plenty of water and that it is easily accessible for them. Keep in mind that if your dog is feeling drowsy and is staying upstairs but the water is downstairs, this is no good to them. Help them out by keeping their water close by.
If vomiting occurs, you’re going to have to check that your dog hasn’t spat the tablet out. If this is the case, make sure to place the tablet in a meal for your dog to eat and if your dog keeps vomiting then it’s best to contact your vet.
Change in behaviour is the rarest side effect, so if you notice anything significant seek medical attention.
Piriteze and Benadryl
There seems to be some confusion about whether to give Piriteze, Benadryl or Piriton for dogs, so let’s clear some things up.
First of all, Piriton is not the same as the others because it uses a different active ingredient. As already mentioned, Piriton has chlorpheniramine which is generally safe for dogs, but the active ingredient in Piriteze and Benadryl is cetirizine hydrochloride which is not safe for pets.
Alternatives to Piriton
Some other antihistamines which are safe for dogs can be found here.
Zyrtec has become a very popular one because of its convenient dosing schedule – dogs that weigh over 10lbs receive a single 10mg tablet once daily, and dogs weighing less than that simply take half of a 10mg tablet. Side effects appear to be minimal, the worst to happen is that your dog becomes drowsy.
Chlortimeton is another excellent antihistamine for dogs and even cats as well. This one does require two doses a day though, as the average dog would get ¼mg per pound.
Atarax is a prescription-only antihistamine and cannot be sold over the counter but it is one of the most effective antihistamines available. Dosing is at 1mg per pound of bodyweight 2-3 times a day.
Lastly, we have EPA which contains Omega-3 fatty acids (eicosatetraenoic acid or EPA) as they have been found to be very beneficial in treating allergies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which antihistamines are safe for dogs?
Some other antihistamines that are safe for dogs are Zyrtec, Chlortimeton, Atarax and EPA.
How much antihistamine can I give my dog?
The standard dosage for oral antihistamine is 1mg per kg of your dog’s body weight. This depends on the exact antihistamine though, as does the number of times it needs to be taken as it could be once, twice, or three times a day.
Is Piriteze the same as Piriton?
No, Piriteze and Piriton are not the same. The difference is that they use a different active ingredient. Piriton has chlorpheniramine which is generally safe for dogs, but the active ingredient in Piriteze (and Benadryl) is cetirizine hydrochloride which is not safe for pets.
Can I give my dog antihistamines every day?
Most antihistamines are required to be given daily to your dog, but for how long depends. Consult your vet to find out exactly for how long you should be giving medication to your dog.
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