Imodium for Dogs – Can You Give A Dog Imodium And What’s The Dosage

If your pet is experiencing digestive problems, you may wonder about the safety of Imodium for dogs. Imodium is a drug formulated for humans. It is designed to slow the digestive process, thus giving relief from symptoms such as diarrhea.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to give to your dog. However, you should always consult with your vet first, as there are some concerns due to it being a human medication.

Let’s find out more about Imoduim for dogs, including side effects and dosage.

What Is Imodium For Dogs

Curious about Imodium for dogs? Does your dog have recurrent digestive problems like diarrhea? Maybe you just opened your medicine cabinet to look for something that might help your furry friend, and now you’re wondering if you can give a dog Imodium.

Or maybe your veterinarian mentioned it to you, but you’re worried about possible side effects and if it is really something dogs can take. And what about the proper Imodium dosage for dogs?

Imodium is a drug that slows down the digestive system. This gives the intestines more time to absorb the fluids and nutrients that have been consumed.

This also prevents diarrhea. Simply put, a slower digestive system means whatever your pooch eats does not rush towards the end of the digestive system so quickly.

However, it is a medication formulated specifically for humans. And giving dogs human medication (and vice versa) is usually not recommended. You should always talk to your vet first.

Imodium For Dogs: Quick Links

Follow the links below to jump to more information about these common questions.

• Is Imodium safe for dogs?
• Can you give a dog Imodium for diarrhea?
• What is the proper Imodium dosage for dogs?
• Alternatives to Imodium for dogs

The Science Behind Imodium For Dogs

Before anyone gives their pooch a new medication, it only makes sense for them to want to double-check the medication’s effectiveness.

After all, we are giving this medication to our furry friends for a reason. Of course, we want it to work well!

So, let’s look at a study or two in order to figure out if Imodium for dogs is actually effective.

There has not been any extensive research done involving the use of Imodium for dogs. For this reason, it is hard to give a definite answer as to whether Imodium for dogs is effective or not.

However, the few studies that have been done do show some promising results.

Results Of Studies On Imodium For Dogs

One study found that Imodium, when given orally, was effective at fixing gastrointestinal motility in dogs. In other words, Imodium was effective at treating diarrhea and returning the digestive system to a pace that was more natural.

Another study was done involving this drug’s effects on a wide range of animals, including dogs. It was discovered that animals who have a specific kind of microflora in their digestive system benefited from a greater effectiveness of the medication.

Dogs, luckily, naturally have this digestive aid.

Is Imodium Safe For Dogs?

Imodium is made for humans, not canines. However, that doesn’t always mean that the answer to, “Can you give a dog Imodium?” is always no.

Imodium is safe to give your dog in some cases. Firstly, you should never give your pooch any medication without first consulting your vet.

Still, there are a number of dogs that simply should not take Imodium under any circumstances. Some other pets, as well, might have health conditions that make taking Imodium unsuitable. On top of all this, severe and constant diarrhea can point towards an underlying problem. Treating the symptom does not always correct the root of the problem.

This is why it is extremely important to always consult with your vet before deciding to treat your pooch with any medication.

In other words, Imodium can be safe for your pooch to take, but only under veterinary supervision.

Is Imodium Bad For Dogs?

Imodium for dogs is particularly dangerous in very select circumstances.

There is a common gene mutation in dogs called the multi-drug resistance gene (MDR). Dogs that have this mutation may lack a specific component of the blood-brain barrier.

Simply put, the blood-brain barrier prevents certain substances from entering the brain through the bloodstream. This is what prevents most medications from severely affecting the brain.

However, in dogs that have a mutation in this gene, the blood-brain barrier is not as effective. Therefore, drugs can occasionally cross this barrier in high amounts and have serious side effects.

When given Imodium, these canines can experience severe sedation, which requires immediate intervention. Breeds that are specifically susceptible are Collies, Australian Shepherds, Old English Sheepdogs, longhaired Whippets, and Shetland Sheepdogs.

Can You Give A Dog Imodium?

Ultimately, the answer to, “Can you give a dog Imodium?” is, “Yes, but only if it has been approved by your vet.”

Which means that the answer is really, “Sometimes!”

Again, this is a medication which has been specially formulated for humans. It is generally not recommended that dogs be given human medications, even when the variations of human and canine medications are related.

That underscores how important it is to involve your vet in this issue.

Imodium Dosage for Dogs

The question of, “How much Imodium can I give my dog?” is very important. However, the exact dosage of Imodium for dogs varies a lot.

Your dog’s weight, age, general health, current medications, and the severity of the tummy problems can all affect the dosage.

For this reason, it is important to follow your vet’s instructions carefully, particularly when it comes to dosage. It is very important that you ensure your pup gets the correct dosage.

If you believe that your canine is taking too little or too much, you should discuss your observations with your vet. They have the expertise to decide if your dog’s dose needs to be changed.

Missed Dose Of Imodium For Dogs

You should, of course, take all steps possible to ensure that you give your canine the correct dose of Imodium at around the same time each day.

However, we are all busy people, and it is very easy to accidentally miss a dose.

If this happens, you should give the missed dose as soon as you remember. If the next dose is very close, however, skip the missed dose and continue on the regular schedule.

You should never give your pooch more than one dose at a time.

Using Imodium To Treat Diarrhea In Dogs

In humans, the chief use of this dog is to treat occasional diarrhea.

This is often true of Imodium for dogs as well.

What Is Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is basically defined as loose stools. It is often a recurrent problem, especially if there is an underlying health issue, such as a food allergy.

It can also be an occasional issue, resulting from a temporary cause.

If your dog is experiencing diarrhea that lasts for more than a day, it is very important that you seek the advice of your vet. Your vet will determine the underlying cause, and treat it.

Imodium For Diarrhea In Dogs

With your vet’s approval, you may give your dog Imodium to treat diarrhea that does not appear to be from any dangerous underlying health issue. Imodium has been proven to be very effective in reducing the incidence of loose stools, when used in the proper dosage.

If your pup’s symptoms do not improve even after taking this medication, it is important to let your vet know. This can be a sign of an underlying problem and your pooch might need more tests to figure out why exactly they are experiencing this problem.

Imodium is given orally, in pill form. It should not be crushed or broken.

Imodium Dosages For Dogs With Diarrhea

Your vet will decide the appropriate Imodium dosage for your dog after considering factors such as weight, age, symptoms, and any other health issues.

The vet will also tell you how often it should be given.

Side Effects Of Imodium For Dogs

Every medication carries with it the possibility of side effects, and Imodium for dogs is no different. Long term use of Imodium can lead to constipation.

However, side effects can also occur even on the first dose. Some of the more common side effects include vomiting, soft stools, constipation, gas, weight loss, and bloody diarrhea.

Luckily, though, these side effects are usually quite minor, and are not generally life threatening.

The risk of side effects increases if your pet is very young or very old. This medication should not be used at all for nursing or pregnant dogs, since it can cause birth defects and harm to newborn puppies.

Alternatives To Imodium For Dogs

If your vet does not recommend that you use Imodium for your dog, they may suggest another remedy.

It may even be another human medication, such as Pepto-Bismol or Famotidine.

However, this depends on the individual dog. Again, none of these medications should be given to your dog unless the vet has specifically approved it.

• Pepto-Bismol
• Famotidine

Imodium Benefits For Dogs

So, can you give a dog Imodium?

Imodium is safe for some dogs to take. However, it is extremely important to consult and work with your vet closely.

Even though this drug is available over the counter, it can cause serious health problems if used incorrectly or if given to dogs who have certain genetic mutations or health conditions. It is extremely important to only give this medication as instructed by your veterinarian.

However, this drug is generally considered safe and effective for treating diarrhea when used appropriately and under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Giving Imodium To Your Dog

Have you tried giving your dog Imodium? We’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below.

References And Further Reading

• Mealey, K. “Therapeutic implications of the MDR‐1 gene.” Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 2004.
• “Loperamide.” VCA Hospitals.
• Fioramonti, Jean. “Stimulation of gastrointestinal motility by loperamide in dogs.” Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 1986.
• Lavrijsen, K. “Reduction of the prodrug loperamide oxide to its active drug loperamide in the gut of rats, dogs, and humans.” Drug Metabolism and Disposition. 1995.
• Awouters, F. “Loperamide.” Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 19932.