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Is long-term Pepcid (famotidine) safe for my dog's stomach issues?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | neutered | 2 years and 5 months old | 58 lbs

Hi! What are the long term concerns with giving Pepcid (famotidine) to dogs? Our vet suggested it to help with Brody skipping meals and vomiting bile. We had tried feeding him more often and switching foods, but it didn't help. Since he started Pepcid 2x a day, he's been eating well, is perkier, and finally gained a little needed weight. My concern is that everything online says famotidine shouldn't be given long term, not not why. Is there something else that is safer? Thanks!

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Lauren Jones VMD

Veterinarian

Published on April 5th, 2017

In the long term, there is a thought the chronic famotidine use may decrease some nutrient absorption and lead to excessive gastric acid production with possible esophageal acid reflux if it is discontinued. However, most internal medicine specialists still preferentially recommend famotidine over other antacids (such as omeprazole/Prilosec) for chronic use as it is a bit more "mild" in its mechanism of action.

I know you mentioned changing foods, but consider discussing a diet trial with a hydrolyzed "hypoallergenic" diet with Brody's vet. If he has a degree of a food allergy or inflammatory bowel disease causing his vomiting and skipping of meals, these hydrolyzed diets fed for 2-3 months can remove a lot of antigenic stimulation in the GI tract and potentially prevent a lot of GI upset.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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