Important medical disclaimer
This calculator is for informational purposes only. It does not replace professional veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian before giving any medication to your dog. Incorrect dosing can cause serious injury or death.
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435|Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Safe doses by weight with safety context
Calculate reference doses for common dog medications by body weight, then check formulation safety, toxic look-alikes, breed alerts, and emergency poison-control steps before you do anything else.
My Dogs integration
Load a saved dog or enter everything manually.
Step 1: Enter your dog's weight
Use the most recent weight you have. Small weight mistakes matter more than owners expect.
Step 2: Select medication
Search by brand or generic name, or narrow by category first.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine HCl)
Safe OTC referenceUseful for mild allergy symptoms, insect stings, and limited short-term sedation.
Step 3: Age and health status
These flags do not replace a veterinarian, but they do change how cautious the result should sound.
Known conditions
The result combines the dose range with formulation warnings, toxic look-alike alerts, side effects, and poison-control contact steps.
Why this page is stronger
Before you give anything
Never give these without urgent guidance
Emergency contacts
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Common dog medication doses
These reference tables exist to slow owners down, not speed them up. The right active ingredient, the right formulation, and the right context matter just as much as the raw mg-per-kg math.
Allergy & Antihistamines
Common antihistamines used for itch, hives, and mild allergic reactions.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benadryl | Diphenhydramine HCl | 1-2 mg/kg | Every 8-12 hours | Safe OTC reference |
| Claritin | Loratadine | 0.2-0.5 mg/kg | Every 24 hours | Safe OTC reference |
| Zyrtec | Cetirizine | 0.5-1 mg/kg | Every 12-24 hours | Safe OTC reference |
| Hydroxyzine | Hydroxyzine HCl | 1-2 mg/kg | Every 8-12 hours | Rx context |
Category notes
Gastrointestinal
Acid reducers and short-term upset stomach references.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pepcid AC | Famotidine | 0.5-1 mg/kg | Every 12-24 hours | Safe OTC reference |
| Pepto-Bismol | Bismuth subsalicylate | 1 ml/kg | Every 6-8 hours, max 2 days | Use with caution |
| Imodium A-D | Loperamide | 0.08-0.1 mg/kg | Every 8-12 hours | Use with caution |
| Prilosec OTC | Omeprazole | 0.5-1 mg/kg | Every 24 hours | Safe OTC reference |
| Ranitidine | Ranitidine | 1-2 mg/kg | Every 8-12 hours | Safe OTC reference |
Category notes
Pain Relief
A small set of short-term or prescription pain-relief references.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffered Aspirin | Acetylsalicylic acid | 10 mg/kg | Every 12 hours with food | Use with caution |
| Rimadyl | Carprofen | 2.2 mg/kg | Every 12 hours | Rx context |
| Metacam | Meloxicam | 0.1 mg/kg | Every 24 hours | Rx context |
| Galliprant | Grapiprant | 2 mg/kg | Every 24 hours | Rx context |
Category notes
Parasites & Prevention
Dewormers and heartworm-prevention references that demand breed awareness.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heartgard-type Ivermectin | Ivermectin | 6 mcg/kg | Monthly heartworm-prevention range only | Rx context |
| Interceptor | Milbemycin oxime | 0.5 mg/kg | Monthly | Rx context |
| Pyrantel Pamoate | Pyrantel pamoate | 5 mg/kg | Single dose, then repeat only if directed | Safe OTC reference |
| Praziquantel | Praziquantel | 5 mg/kg | Single dose | Use with caution |
Category notes
Anxiety & Sedation
Mild OTC calming references and several prescription-only examples.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melatonin | Melatonin | 1 mg (Under 10 kg) | 1.5 mg (10-25 kg) | 3 mg (Over 25 kg) | Every 8-12 hours as needed | Safe OTC reference |
| Trazodone | Trazodone HCl | 2-5 mg/kg | Every 8-24 hours depending on plan | Rx context |
| Sileo | Dexmedetomidine | Topical application | Use only exactly as prescribed | Rx context |
| Reconcile | Fluoxetine | 1-2 mg/kg | Every 24 hours | Rx context |
Category notes
Wound Care & Topical
Topical references for minor superficial wounds and cleaning.
| Drug | Generic | Dose | Frequency | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neosporin | Triple antibiotic ointment | Topical application | Apply a thin layer 2-3 times daily | Safe OTC reference |
| Chlorhexidine | Chlorhexidine | Topical application | Clean gently up to twice daily | Safe OTC reference |
| Vetericyn | Hypochlorous acid | Topical application | Spray 3-4 times daily as needed | Safe OTC reference |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | Hydrogen peroxide 3% | Topical application | Use once only on a wound if used at all | Use with caution |
Category notes
Medications that are toxic to dogs
This is the highest-priority safety section on the page. If your dog has already ingested any of these products, call poison control or go to an emergency vet immediately.
Tylenol / Paracetamol
Liver failure and red blood cell damage.
Toxic dose: Toxicity can begin around 75 mg/kg and small dogs can be endangered by a single regular-strength tablet.
Common signs
Found in
Advil / Motrin / Nurofen
GI ulceration, kidney failure, and neurologic injury.
Toxic dose: Risk starts around 25 mg/kg and rises quickly from there.
Common signs
Found in
Aleve / Naprosyn
Severe GI ulceration and kidney failure with a long canine half-life.
Toxic dose: Even 5 mg/kg can be dangerous.
Common signs
Found in
Birch sugar
Rapid hypoglycemia and possible liver failure.
Toxic dose: As little as 0.1 g/kg can trigger dangerous hypoglycemia.
Common signs
Found in
Sudafed / Benadryl-D / Claritin-D
Severe stimulant toxicity with heart and neurologic effects.
Toxic dose: Even one tablet can be dangerous to a small dog.
Common signs
Found in
5-FU / Cancer cream
Severe neurologic toxicity and rapid death after even small exposures.
Toxic dose: Tiny skin-contact or oral doses can be fatal.
Common signs
Found in
Treat this as an immediate emergency.
Horse paste ivermectin / Cattle ivermectin
Massive neurologic toxicity, coma, and death.
Toxic dose: One horse-paste syringe can be lethal to many dogs.
Common signs
Found in
Emergency contacts
ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
Pet Poison Helpline: (855) 764-7661
Or go to the nearest emergency veterinarian immediately.
How doses are calculated
Dose = weight (kg) x dose rate
Volume = dose in mg divided by concentration in mg/ml.
Example: Famotidine for a 12.5 kg dog at 0.5 mg/kg = 6.25 mg per dose.
Why weight matters
Dogs range from roughly 1 kg toy breeds to giant breeds pushing 80 to 90 kg. A flat adult human dose can be meaningless or lethal once you apply it to that size spread.
Drug distribution, metabolism, and toxicity thresholds shift with size, age, breed, organ function, and the exact product formulation. That is why this page treats formulation warnings and contraindications as part of the answer rather than extra fine print.
Some drugs are especially poor candidates for owner improvisation because dogs metabolize them very differently from humans. Acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen all sit in that category.
When to use common dog medications
Plain diphenhydramine, loratadine, or cetirizine can appear simple, but the real risk is owners grabbing the wrong formulation. Combination products, decongestants, and sweetened liquids cause more trouble than the raw dose math.
Famotidine, omeprazole, and short-term bismuth products are reference tools, not universal answers to vomiting or diarrhea. Puppies, seniors, bloody stool, dehydration, and repeated vomiting all justify a faster veterinary call.
Aspirin is a caution option at best, while ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen should not be given at all. If a dog truly needs pain control, the right comparison is not human Advil versus nothing. It is home guessing versus a veterinary pain plan.
MDR1-sensitive breeds, dogs with kidney or liver disease, pregnant dogs, and dogs already on other medication all require a higher safety bar. That is why this page uses warnings as part of the calculator rather than as a footnote.
How to give your dog medication
Use a small amount of xylitol-free peanut butter, cream cheese, canned food, or a pill-pocket style treat. A plain treat before and after the medicated one helps dogs swallow quickly without overthinking it.
Open the mouth from above, place the pill as far back on the tongue as you can safely manage, close the mouth gently, and encourage a swallow with a throat rub or water chaser.
Use an oral syringe into the cheek pouch and go slowly. Fast squirting straight back increases aspiration risk and makes dogs fight the next dose harder.
Minor superficial wounds only. Clean first, apply thin layers, and prevent licking if you can. Eye injuries, punctures, bite wounds, or swelling deserve veterinary care instead of more ointment.
Drug overdose and poisoning
Emergency contacts
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
(888) 426-4435
Available 24/7. Fee may apply.
Pet Poison Helpline
(855) 764-7661
Available 24/7. Fee may apply.
Go straight to emergency care if
Your dog is collapsing, seizing, struggling to breathe, or has ingested a known toxic drug.
What to tell poison control
Inducing vomiting
Only if directed
Do not induce vomiting if
Hydrogen peroxide should only be used under veterinary or poison-control direction. A common emergency reference is 1 ml/kg of 3% hydrogen peroxide, with a maximum of 45 ml, but you should still seek professional guidance immediately.
Frequently asked questions
A common reference range for plain diphenhydramine is 1 to 2 mg per kg every 8 to 12 hours, with many owners starting at the low end first. Plain formulation matters. Benadryl-D, decongestant combinations, alcohol-heavy liquids, and xylitol-containing liquids are not safe substitutes.
No. Acetaminophen is toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure and red blood cell damage. If your dog already swallowed Tylenol or a cold-and-flu product containing acetaminophen, call poison control or an emergency veterinarian immediately.
No. Ibuprofen is one of the most common and dangerous owner-misuse medications in dogs. It can cause GI ulceration, kidney injury, and neurologic signs at doses far lower than many owners expect.
A widely cited short-term famotidine reference is about 0.5 to 1 mg per kg every 12 to 24 hours, but plain Pepcid AC is the key. Pepcid Complete and multi-ingredient antacid products are different products and should not be treated as interchangeable.
Buffered aspirin may be used short term in some dogs, but it is a caution medication rather than a casual safe option. It should not be combined with other NSAIDs or steroids and is a poor substitute for a true veterinary pain plan.
Plain melatonin is commonly used as a simple calming aid, but the product must be checked carefully for xylitol and added sleep ingredients. Many problems come from the formulation, not the melatonin itself.
Most weight-based references follow the same formula: dose equals body weight in kilograms multiplied by the published dose rate. Liquids then require a second step, dividing the dose by the product concentration. This page handles both steps and then adds formulation safety context.
Yes. Collies, Shelties, Australian Shepherds, and several related breeds may carry MDR1 sensitivity, which changes risk around drugs such as loperamide and ivermectin. Breed context matters enough that a product safe for one dog can be dangerous for another.
Move quickly. Call ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661, and have the drug name, strength, amount, time of ingestion, and your dog's weight ready. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinarian or poison expert tells you to do it.
Not casually. Some human antibiotics are also used in dogs, but dose, interval, duration, and whether the drug even fits the infection still require a veterinarian. Guessing with leftover antibiotics is a good way to miss the real diagnosis and create resistance problems.
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References
This page is designed as a safety-first reference for dog owners and should not be used as a replacement for diagnosis, emergency triage, or a veterinarian-directed treatment plan.