How to Use OTC Medication to Calm a Dog

If your dog is easily frightened by loud noises or car trips, her increased anxiety level can cause restlessness as well as urination due to nervousness. While attempting to calm your dog without medication is always the better option, an over-the-counter anti-anxiety medication specifically for dogs is available as an oral gel, cloth wipes and chewable tablet. The anti-anxiety medication helps reduce stress levels by providing artificial pheromones to soothe your dog's anxiousness.

Things You'll Need

  • Anti-anxiety tablets
  • Stress-reducing pheromone wipes
  • Anti-anxiety pheromone gel

Instructions

    • 1

      Break the chewable tablet in half. According to the PetCo site, 1/2 a tablet should be given to your dog if he weighs between 27 to 50 pounds, 1 tablet for dogs 51 to 90 pounds, and 2 tablets for dogs more than 100 pounds. For maximum effectiveness, feed the tablet to your dog at least 30 minutes before taking him on a car trip or prior to exposure to loud noises.

    • 2

      Remove the pheromone wipe from the package, and rub the wipe over your dog's bedding, car seat or any fabric he will be near. Continue wiping the area until the cloth wipe dries. Allow the dog to sniff the fabric or lay on the fabric. According to the "Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook," pheromone wipes can last up to two hours after being applied to an area.

    • 3

      Dispense a three-inch line of calming gel into the palm of your hand. Allow the dog to lick the gel completely from your hand to ingest the medication at least 30 minutes before exposing her to loud noises or car travel. For puppies over 12 weeks old, reduce the amount administered to 1 1/2 inches of gel, according to the PetCo site.