Can I Give My Dog Dramamine for Anxiety?

Yes, you can give your dog Dramamine for anxiety.

There are cases when this drug causes more harm than good, and it depends on the dog’s individual medical records.

So remember, you should always consult with a veterinarian before administering any medicine to your pet.

Like humans, dogs can have hypertension, diabetes, gastrointestinal diseases, anxiety, depression, etc.

Help your dog with giving him Anxiety Drops for Dogs.

Some of the drugs for treating these diseases are the same for both humans and dogs, but the dosages are entirely different, and there are significant side effects in dogs.

Many techniques and medications are preferred when it comes to anxious and depressive disorders.

Therefore, it is necessary to consult with a veterinarian when administering any medicine to your pet.

Should I Give My Dog Dramamine for Anxiety?

What Is Dramamine
What is Dramamine Used For?
Side Effects of Dramamine And Similar Drugs
Non-medicational Treatment
Alternative Anxiety Medications

1. What Is Dramamine?

Dimenhydrinate is the generic name for Dramamine, Gravol, Travtabs, Driminate, and Tryptone.

It is an ethanolamine and first-generation histamine antagonist with anti-allergic action.

By competitively blocking H1 receptors, dimenhydrinate stops histamine from acting on gastrointestinal (GI) smooth muscle, capillaries, and bronchial smooth muscle. ^[1]

In this post you can read 11 different alternatives to give your dog for anxiety.

2. What Is Dramamine Used For?

Dramamine prevents and stops bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, enhanced capillary permeability, and GI smooth muscle spasm caused by histamine.

Thе drug treats and prevents nausea, particularly in canines with vestibular illness.

It has also been used to lessen allergy-related itching and for its calming effects. ^[2]

FDA does not approve Dimenhydrinate for animal use, but veterinarians still prescribe it as an extra-label drug.

Its primary use is to treat motion sickness in dogs, but it has also been administered by veterinarians to treat generalized anxiety in dogs and used as a sedative.

If your dog develops symptoms of nausea, excessive yawning, drooling, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea while traveling, then the dog probably feels motion sickness.

Studies show that the recommended dose of Dramamine is 2-4 mg per pound, which should be given in consultation with a professional. ^[3]

Another useful drug for preventing motion sickness in dogs is Meclizine which belongs to the antihistaminic group of drugs.

It is best to do the administration at least half an hour before the trip.

To prevent motion sickness, researchers don’t recommend eating and drinking water during the trip, as well as eating 2-3 hours before departure.

Another useful tip is to take your dog for a walk to urinate and defecate before the trip. ^[4]

3. Side Effects Of Dramamine And Similar Drugs

The most important thing is to informing your vet about the medications and supplements your dog is taking to avoid drug interactions or if your dog exacerbates an existing illness.

Common side effects of using this medicine are:

Lethargy
Apathy
Dry mouth
Sedation
Urinary retention
Rare stools

And in case of overdose with dimenhydrinate, the possible consequences are:

Seizures
Hallucinations
Hyperventilation
Tachycardia and tachypnea
Coma
Fatal outcome (if left untreated). ^[5]

Note: If the dog vomits after taking Dramamine, it is most likely an indication he cannot tolerate the medication.

You should be aware that if the dog has previous illnesses that you are treating, these illnesses can worsen when using the medication, and a consultation with a specialist is required.

Gastric outflow obstruction, bladder neck obstruction, glaucoma, benign prostatic hyperplasia, pregnancy or lactation, liver, kidney, and lung diseases are just some of the diseases you should be careful about. ^[6]

Particular care should be taken if the dog is already being treated for anxiety and depression and receiving therapy – tranquilizers, sedatives, CNS depressants, anticholinergics or anticoagulants, and warfarin as the potential for interaction is high.

4. Non-Medicational Treatment

It is crucial to determine which factors and triggers cause anxiety in your dog and decide whether it results from individual situations or becomes a daily occurrence.

Anxiety usually results from a combination of external and internal factors and therefore requires a multidisciplinary approach – training, preventive strategies, and sometimes – medication.

Exercises like desensitization and counterconditioning are techniques to treat anxiety in dogs.

You can train your dog yourself with some preparation or hire a professional. Under-conditioning involves associating one of the dog’s most desired rewards with the delivery person’s sound, sight, and approach to shifting the dog’s emotional state to a calm and positive one. ^[7]

Preventing any exposure that can have a negative result during training is a crucial component of success.

This could be achieved by identifying possible issues and employing a sit and focus command, a turnaround, or by continuing to move calmly past the stimuli. ^[8]

Desensitization is the process of continually exposing a person to circumstances or stimulation that might otherwise cause unwanted behavior but at a level that has no detrimental consequences.

The dog becomes “less sensitive” to the stimulus as it perceives it but does not react negatively.

Eventually, the animal can withstand a signal a little stronger without responding negatively. ^[9]

5. Alternative Anxiety Medications

Anxiety medications are prescribed depending on the severity of the illness, how it is triggered, and the frequency.

Veterinarians recommend benzodiazepines for anxiety triggered by gunshots, car jams, fireworks, and storms.

The prompt beginning of action of benzodiazepines is one of its main benefits.

With the proper medication and dosage, anxiety alleviation can be reached in 30 to 60 minutes. ^[10]

This is crucial because owners frequently do not alert their doctor to a pet’s inappropriate fear-induced behavior until the issue has gotten so bad that they are prepared to put the animal down or give it up if there is no quick fix. ^[11]

It has been demonstrated that serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRIs) such as Clomipramine (Clomicalm, Novartis) and Fluoxetine (Reconcile, Eli Lilly) are more successful than behavior modification alone in the treatment of attachment issues.

Antidepressants and SSRIs can be prescribed as well if the cause is a generalized anxiety disorder. ^[12]

The two most prevalent cannabinoids in medical cannabis preparations are cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

While both are involved in several pharmaceutical processes that seem to have surprising applications, CBD oils do not have the same psychoactive effects as THC. ^[13]

Numerous studies indicate that CBD oil may be helpful in treating psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, anxiety, and epilepsy.

Anxiolytic, antipsychotic, antiemetic, and anti-inflammatory characteristics of CBD may make it helpful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.