Is Zyrtec or Claritin safe for my dog's daily itching, and will it cause drowsiness?

Your dog could definitely have environmental allergies! Most people do not have much luck with these drugs as they are antihistamines, and as such are not very effective for these kinds of allergies in dogs. However, they tend to be very safe and very inexpensive, so I sometimes start with antihistamines if the itching is very mild and the dog does not seem miserable. Also, I have had great success with the oral pill Apoquel for some allergies as well, and this is a medication that is much safer to use long-term than steroids like prednisone. There is also an an allergy injection called Cytopoint that is very safe and works well for some dogs with seasonal allergies. Ask your veterinarian for his/her recommendation for your particular situation. Hope that helps!

Singulair is not used for dogs, all other over the counter anti histamines you mentioned are usually non effective in dogs at all, Benadryl and Piriton are usually the only ones that sometimes work, but as a general rule anti histamines are not as effective in dogs as they are in humans unfortunately. for severe allergies most dogs will need a course of steroids which are prescription only.

Yes, Claritin is among several over-the-counter antihistamine options that may be given for allergies. Frankly, they all offer only mediocre relief but can be helpful for very mild symptoms. I would still recommend touching base with your vet to make sure Claritin would be appropriate for Bruno with his medical history and any other medications he might be taking. If Bruno's allergies do not improve on an over-the-counter option like Claritin, there are much more effective options available by prescription from your vet. Hope this helps!

Most OTC antihistamines can be used in dogs, however you should **never** give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Legally though, we cannot direct you to medicate your pet in the absence of a physical exam and a VCPR (veterinarian-client-patient-relationship). [Allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/canine-allergies) can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes ([environmental](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-allergies-vs-environmental-allergies-whats-the-difference), [food](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/food-allergies), [flea bites](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/flea-allergy), etc.). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss [food elimination trials](https://www.petcoach.co/article/food-trials-for-allergies-in-pets-what-to-expect) and [allergy testing](https://www.petcoach.co/article/allergy-testing-immunotherapy-in-dogs) and if antihistamine use is indicated, he or she can give you a proper dose, The medication may provide some relief but your task is to try to determine what your dog is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it.

Yes you are right this is probably due to an allergy, although it could also be infection or mites. First of all, in order to rule out skin parasites, I would suggest to treat with a high quality flea treatment (advocate or advantage), then ask the vet to perform a skin scrape - this might reveal an infection or a mite infestation. If all of those came back negative, the next step is to treat the allergy symptomatically and try to discover the cause of the allergy. Low dosage of steroids works best as Zyrtec (antihistaminic) may not be effective, even in case of allergies. Three main type of allergies are usually affecting pets: food allergies, flea and parasite related ones and environmental type (allergens coming from trees, pollens, dust etc etc). Once all the differentials have been ruled out, food allergy can be approached with an exclusion dietary plan. I agree with you Acana is a good option. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Most OTC antihistamines can be used in dogs; however you should never give any medications to your dog without the advice of your veterinarian. Allergies can be frustrating to diagnose since they can have multiple causes (inhaled, food, contact). Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Discuss food elimination trials and allergy testing and if antihistamine use is indicated, he or she can give you a proper dose, The medication may provide some relief but your task is to try to determine what your dog is allergic to and decrease or eliminate it. Monitor her for side effects including lethargy and weakness, and if you see those signs, have her seen by a vet right away. Best of luck.

Both are antihistamines and giving them together may cause stronger side effects. It is NOT recommended. Give one or the other based on your dog's weight and only under the advice of your veterinarian.