Can Pepcid be used to relieve allergy symptoms in dogs?

Pepcid, or famotidine, is commonly used in veterinary medicine to decrease stomach acid, prevent stomach ulcers, and relieve nausea, vomiting, and regurgitation. Pepcid is sometimes prescribed alongside medications used to treat allergies, primarily corticosteroids like prednisone, to help protect the stomach from irritation that may occur in association with these medications. However, Pepcid itself doesn’t do anything to relieve common allergy symptoms.

Whether your dog is dealing with stomach upset or itchy skin, the best way to help them is by working with a veterinarian. A vet can determine if Pepcid is appropriate, ensure safe dosing, and guide you toward the most effective treatment options for your pet’s specific needs. To help you support your dog’s health and comfort, we’ll discuss:

• What is Pepcid
• The role of Pepcid in managing your dog’s allergy symptoms
• Why you should seek veterinary care if you think your dog has allergies

When your dog has allergy symptoms, it’s important to talk to a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan. Pepcid isn’t helpful for relieving allergy symptoms, and working with a vet is the best way to help your pet. A virtual appointment is a great option for letting a vet see your dog from the comfort of your own home to discuss symptoms, get advice on whether Pepcid is safe or needed, and to get guidance on whether an in-person exam is your next best step. In some regions, veterinarians can also prescribe medications to new clients through telemedicine, making virtual care a convenient and effective way to get timely help for your pet.

Pepcid is a name-brand medication containing famotidine. Famotidine is similar to diphenhydramine (the active ingredient in Benadryl) in that they’re both antihistamines. However, these medications block different types of histamine from cells, and as a result, they are used to treat different problems. Famotidine does not relieve itchiness, redness, or swelling like Benadryl does. Instead, famotidine is used to help relieve or prevent stomach irritation associated with:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Gastrointestinal ulcers
• Gastric acid reflux
• Regurgitation
• Esophagitis or megaesophagus

Because it’s an antihistamine as well as easy to find and relatively inexpensive, it’s understandable to wonder if your dog can take Pepcid to relieve allergy symptoms. The question comes up because Pepcid is sometimes prescribed for dogs being treated for allergies to help protect the stomach from irritation caused by allergy medications.

It’s a common misconception that because famotidine is an antihistamine, it can help with a dog’s itchiness. However, histamines not only cause skin inflammation and irritation but also control the release of stomach acid. Famotidine works by blocking the H2 receptors that control the release of stomach acid rather than the H1 receptors that cause skin symptoms. Because famotidine works by decreasing the release of stomach acid, it isn’t helpful for treating dog allergy symptoms.

While Pepcid doesn’t treat allergies or relieve itching, veterinarians sometimes prescribe it alongside allergy medications, especially corticosteroids such as prednisone, because these medications can irritate the stomach or increase acid production, which Pepcid helps reduce.

You may also be considering using Pepcid if your dog has vomiting or diarrhea that you suspect might be related to a food allergy. However, food allergies in dogs most often cause skin problems, such as itching, ear infections, and chronic skin irritation, rather than gastrointestinal symptoms. While Pepcid can help with vomiting, vomiting in dogs is usually caused by something other than food allergies. If your dog has ongoing digestive problems, the best way to help them is to work with a veterinarian to determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Medications that work for dog allergy symptoms

Pepcid doesn’t directly treat canine allergies, but it may be used alongside other strategies, such as:

• Regular use of vet-recommended flea control products for flea allergy dermatitis
• Itch control medications, such as Apoquel (oclacitinib), for atopic dermatitis
• Anti-inflammatory doses of corticosteroids like prednisone
• Therapeutic shampoos and other topical treatments
• Dietary supplements
• Therapeutic diets, including those that avoid ingredients that trigger food allergies

Allergies in dogs can’t be cured, but treatment can minimize itch and other symptoms and keep your dog as comfortable as possible.

If your dog has itchy skin, hot spots, ear infections, paw licking, or an upset stomach, it’s understandable to wonder if allergies could be the cause and whether something like Pepcid might help. While Pepcid can reduce stomach acid, it doesn’t treat allergic disease. Instead, it’s sometimes prescribed alongside allergy medications to help protect the stomach from irritation.

Working with your veterinarian is the best way to get your dog the help they need. “When pet parents come in thinking about Pepcid for allergies, it tells me they’re really trying to help their dog feel better,” says Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. “It can be awful for both you and your dog when you’re both up all night because they’re scratching or licking their feet. Finding the underlying cause and addressing it quickly and appropriately is incredibly important.”

Consulting a vet is the best approach if you suspect your dog has allergies. The same symptoms that appear with allergic disease, such as scratching, paw licking, and ear infections, are shared by many other health conditions. A veterinary evaluation can help sort out whether your dog’s symptoms are actually due to allergies or another underlying cause.

Treatment for allergies depends on what’s causing them. Your veterinarian might recommend flea control to rule out flea allergy dermatitis, medications like Apoquel or Cytopoint to relieve itching, or allergy testing and immunotherapy for long-term management. Diet changes may also be part of the plan if a food allergy is suspected. In some cases, Pepcid may still play a small supporting role, particularly when used alongside medications like corticosteroids, to help protect your dog’s stomach during treatment. By working together with your veterinarian, you can find the right strategy to keep your dog comfortable and help prevent future flare-ups.

How an online vet can help

An online vet can virtually examine your dog and discuss their symptoms in a convenient appointment from your own home. They can help determine whether stomach upset or allergy-like symptoms are likely to benefit from safe at-home care or if an in-person exam is the better next step.

A virtual vet can also explain the diagnostic process and outline possible treatment options so you know what to expect going forward. In some cases, a veterinarian may recommend or advise you on the safe use of over-the-counter medications like Pepcid, ensuring you understand how it works and what it’s used for as well as giving dosage recommendations. In certain regions, veterinarians can even prescribe medications for new clients through telemedicine, making a virtual visit an effective way to get timely, professional care for your dog.

Is Pepcid safe to give to dogs?

Pepcid (famotidine) is generally considered safe for dogs when used under veterinary guidance and at the correct dose. It’s an antihistamine that reduces stomach acid and is often prescribed to help manage or prevent gastrointestinal issues such as ulcers, gastritis, reflux, vomiting, and regurgitation. Vets may also recommend Pepcid to help protect the stomach when dogs are taking medications that can cause gastric irritation, such as corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Although available over the counter, famotidine should be used with veterinary guidance.

Does Pepcid help dogs with allergies?

Pepcid is an antihistamine, but not the kind that helps with common allergy symptoms like itchy skin and rash. Pepcid is used to treat or prevent stomach upset and may be given alongside allergy medications to help reduce GI side effects, but it does not help skin symptoms caused by allergies.

Can Pepcid help my dog’s itchy skin?

Pepcid (famotidine) does not treat allergies in dogs or help with itchy skin. Pepcid is an acid reducer that works on the stomach, not the skin or immune system. Although it’s technically an antihistamine, it targets H2 receptors involved in stomach acid production, not the H1 receptors that cause allergy symptoms like itching or redness. If your dog is scratching, licking, or has irritated skin, the best thing you can do is work with your vet to identify the cause. Itchiness can result from fleas, environmental allergies, food sensitivities, infections, and other medical problems. If allergies are the cause of your dog’s skin symptoms, your vet can recommend effective treatments like flea prevention, anti-itch medications, or allergy testing and immunotherapy for long-term relief.

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.