Dog Euthanasia with Over the counter Drugs
To euthanize a dog when a canine friend is suffering and dying gradually, and the owner wants to help him pass away humanely is not easy.
If you want to put your dog to sleep forever, there are several options available, including over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
Note: It is illegal in some states to euthanize an animal, and you may have to visit the animal poison control center, or any relevant animal control authorities in your state or talk to your vet to know how to let your dog pass away safely.
Home Euthanasia for Dogs
To put down a dog at home, an overdose of sleeping pills is often used. Vets do euthanize dogs with over-the-counter drugs that keep the dog asleep for 1 or 2 days and rest permanently.
Common medications that are used are Xanax, Tylenol PM, Klonopin, Morphine, Benadryl, Melatonin, Insulin, etc.
This blog provides information on how to use 3 of the commonest drugs used to euthanize dogs and, how to euthanize dogs with these OTC drugs.
The three Commonest OTC drugs used to euthanize dogs
The common categories of drugs used to euthanize dogs are phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and euthanasia solutions.
If your dog is dying and you can’t afford a vet, you can euthanize your dog for free with these drugs.
Each drug works differently to pass away a dog peacefully.
How to administer OTC drugs to Euthanize your dogs?
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is the most commonly used drug for euthanasia in dogs because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to administer.
The recommended dose for dogs is 30-60 mg/kg, which can be administered orally, intravenously, or intramuscularly. It typically takes 30 minutes for the drug to work on your dog or cat.
To administer phenobarbital orally, mix the recommended dose with a small amount of food or water and offer it to your pet.
If the animal does not eat or drink all of the mixtures, you can give additional food or water to prevent them from consuming the entire dose.
If the dog vomits within an hour of taking the drug, you can give him another dose.
To administer phenobarbital intravenously, mix the recommended dose with sterile water and inject it slowly into a vein in the dog’s leg.
To prevent tissue damage, do not inject the drug more quickly than 1 mL per second.
To administer phenobarbital intramuscularly, mix the recommended dose with sterile water and inject it into a large muscle in the dog’s hindquarters.
To prevent tissue damage, do not inject more than 2 mL per site.
Pentobarbital
Pentobarbital is more expensive than phenobarbital but works more quickly, typically taking only 5-15 minutes for the drug to work.
The recommended dose for medium size animals like dogs and cats is 30-60 mg/kg, and it can be given to pets orally, through their veins, or muscles.
To offer the drug with food, mix the recommended dose with their food or water.
If your dog does not finish the food or water, you can give additional food or water with the drug.
If your canine friend throws up within an hour of taking the drug, you can offer him another dose.
To administer pentobarbital through the animal’s vein, mix the recommended dose with sterile water and inject 1 mL per second slowly into a vein in the dog’s leg till you complete the dose.
To inject your dog in the muscle, mix the recommended dose with sterile water and inject it into a large muscle in their hindquarters, such as their buttocks or thigh
Euthanasia solutions
Euthanasia solution is an aqueous solution that contains active ingredients such as pentobarbital sodium and phenytoin sodium to end a dog’s pain and suffering.
It can only be prepared and offered to any animal by a certified veterinarian.
Conclusion
Knowing how to euthanize dogs with over-the-counter drugs is important as it is not without its risks.
There is a risk that the drugs may not work correctly and the dog may suffer, but this can be mitigated by providing that the dog consumes the entire dose and you take note if he vomits it so you can give another dose. Additionally, OTC drugs can be expensive.
Overall, using over-the-counter drugs to euthanize dogs is a possible option, but it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before using them.
