Can Dogs Take Prozac & is it Safe

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One of the most common behavioral issues dog owners have to deal with is separation anxiety. In fact, different things can make a dog anxious. Sometimes, they might need a little bit of help to get over their anxiety. Humans have different antidepressants and other meds that can help us, but what can dogs take to make them feel better? Is Prozac for dogs safe? In fact, it is! Here’s what you should know about Prozac for dogs.

What is Prozac?

You probably already heard about Prozac, and you might be familiar with its effect on people. However, do you know how Prozac affects dogs? To understand that, we need to understand what Prozac is. It is classified as an SSRI antidepressant approved for animal use by the FDA. It is used for treating behavioral disorders in dogs and cats. Prozac contains the active ingredient fluoxetine, which is the same ingredient that helps us deal with different issues.

VET TIP: When giving human medications to dogs, it is crucial you stick to your vet’s directions. In this case, the FDA approved the drug’s use on animals, so more information about the drug’s effectiveness and safety is available. Nevertheless, your dog is an individual with a unique medical history. Your vet might need to adjust the dosage or even prescribe a different medication.

Is it safe for my dog?

One of the first things dog owners wonder when they have to give their dogs human medication is, “Is it safe?” It might seem weird, but giving our meds to dogs is quite often in veterinary practice. In fact, Prozac is one of those cases. It is considered relatively safe for dogs as long as you stick to the recommended dosage and administration.

Prozac for dogs side effects

Like any other drug in the world, Prozac can cause some side effects. It is an antidepressant, so it should significantly impact your dog’s brain’s chemical balance. That type of effect can cause side effects, which really isn’t that surprising. However, knowing which side effects are possible and how to react to them is really useful. You will know what to do if they happen and what you might expect. The most common Prozac side effects for dogs are;

• Loss of appetite
• Sleepiness
• Panting
• Whining
• Restlessness
• Shaking
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Hypersalivation
• Weight loss
• Incoordination

Prozac can cause severe side effects. However, they mostly happen in cases of overdoses. Severe Prozac side effects include persistent vomiting, seizures, and aggressiveness.

Is it effective?

Another thing dog owners commonly ask their vets is, “Is Prozac for dogs effective?” In other words, will it help my dog deal with whatever it is they are dealing with? The good news is - yes, Prozac is considered fairly effective and helpful.

However, there is a catch. The dog should take prolonged therapy to feel the full effects of Prozac. It will take about 4 weeks until the chemical balance is fully achieved and the results are easy to spot. However, Prozac may end up being ineffective. At that time, vets might need to switch to something similar, like Zoloft or Reconcile.

How is Prozac given to dogs?

Prozac comes in several forms, but we personally prefer tablets. They are easy to measure, and you can make sure your dog takes the whole pill. Your dog can take it with or without food, but if they vomit when you give them the drug on an empty stomach, provide a small amount of food with the next dosage. The usual dosage of Prozac for dogs is 0,5 - 1 mg per pound of body weight. Dogs should take one tablet every 24 hours.

Where can I get Prozac for my dog?

The first thing you need to do is visit your vet. Schedule a checkup, and ask if they think Prozac is a viable option for your dog. This is a prescription drug, so a licensed vet has to write you a prescription. After they do that, you can pick up the medication in your local pharmacy. If you prefer online orders, you can get the generic version of the drug on Chewy’s online pharmacy.

World Dog Finder team