How much omeprazole can I give my dog?

In this article:

• Dosage factors
• Dosage amounts
• Dosage chart
• Interactions
• Administration guidelines

In this article

• Dosage factors
• Dosage amounts
• Dosage chart
• Interactions
• Administration guidelines

Omeprazole (brand name Prilosec) is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is also used off-label in veterinary medicine to treat excess stomach acid secretion in dogs that may arise from conditions like gastritis, acid reflux, and other gastrointestinal (GI) problems. 

“Omeprazole works by reducing acid production in the stomach,” says Amanda Chambers, DVM, a veterinary consultant for Embrace Pet Insurance.

Dr. Chambers says the recommended omeprazole dosage for dogs is 0.5 to 1 milligrams (mg) per kilogram of body weight by mouth every 12 to 24 hours. 

Omeprazole dosage for dogs

The dosage of omeprazole can vary depending on a variety of factors. “The dosage of omeprazole for dogs depends on the severity of the condition, what condition is being treated, other underlying conditions, the weight of the dog, and if the dog is on any other medications,” says Dwight Alleyne, DVM, a veterinarian adviser for Betterpet.com.

Below are a few medical conditions in which a veterinarian may prescribe omeprazole.

Stomach ulcers

Stomach or gastrointestinal ulcers are open sores in the stomach lining that can develop from kidney disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and neoplasia. These ulcers can cause symptoms like vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, and weight loss. According to Ray Spragley, DVM, CVA, CCRT, the founder of Zen Dog Veterinary Care, the typical omeprazole dosage for preventing or treating stomach ulcers is 0.5 mg/kg once daily by mouth.

Esophagitis

Esophagitis is a condition that causes inflammation in your dog’s esophagus. It can arise from foreign bodies, GERD, and certain drugs, such as doxycycline. 

Dr. Spragley states that the recommended dose of omeprazole to treat esophagitis is 1-2 mg/kg twice daily by mouth.

Helicobacter 

Helicobacter is a type of bacteria that can infect your dog’s stomach. In humans, a type of helicobacter called H. pylori has been linked to stomach irritation and ulcers. While Helicobacter bacteria are commonly found in dog and cat stomachs, the link between these bacteria and symptoms of stomach ulceration or irritation is not fully understood at this time. Veterinarians may still use omeprazole to reduce stomach acid as part of a medication protocol for treating Helicobacter infections.

According to Dr. Spragley, a dose of 0.7 mg/kg once daily by mouth is recommended to treat helicobacter.

How long your dog will take omeprazole depends on the condition they’re being treated for. 

“Omeprazole is usually prescribed short term,” Dr. Spragley says. “Omeprazole is safe to be given long-term but is usually only given for up to four weeks.”

Dr. Alleyne adds that long-term use of omeprazole may be used in some dogs with chronic conditions, but the dog will need to be monitored closely for any potential side effects. 

How much omeprazole can I give my dog?

To determine the proper dose of omeprazole to administer to your dog, you’ll first need to know your dog’s weight. From there, you can calculate how much medicine you need to give your pet.

Dr. Chambers provides the following formula to calculate the right dosage for your dog.

“First, convert your pet’s weight to kilograms,” Dr. Chambers says. “This is done by dividing your pet’s weight in pounds by 2.2. Once you have their weight in kilograms, multiply this number by 0.5 milligrams and 1 milligram to get the recommended range of milligrams to administer every 12 to 24 hours. Round to the nearest 5 milligrams.”

According to Dr. Spragley, the typical dose of omeprazole is 0.5-1 mg/kg of body weight once daily by mouth. However, this dosage can change depending on your dog’s weight, age, and condition being treated.

In most cases, you won’t need to calculate your dog’s omeprazole dosage on your own. Typically, your dog’s vet will handle any calculations to ensure your dog has the proper dose to relieve their symptoms.

“When it comes to calculating dosages, pet owners should always refer to their veterinarian to prevent under or overdosing,” Dr. Alleyne says.

Omeprazole for dogs dosage chart

Below is a dosage chart for the use of omeprazole based on the dog’s weight.

Source: Media City Animal Hospital

Does omeprazole interact with any other dog medications?

Certain medications can interact with omeprazole. “Some drugs it interacts with are phenobarbital, diuretics, digoxin, cyclosporine, benzodiazepines, clopidogrel, cyanocobalamin, levothyroxine, warfarin, and certain antibiotics,” Dr. Spragley says.

Be sure to notify your veterinarian of all your dog’s prescription medications so that they can determine if prescribing omeprazole is safe for their health.

Like any prescription medication, there are some side effects of omeprazole.

“Common adverse effects of omeprazole include diarrhea, vomiting, and decreased appetite,” Dr. Alleyne says. “If these are seen, the drug should be discontinued, and a veterinarian should be contacted.”

While omeprazole is typically well-tolerated, effects of long term use of omeprazole are still not fully understood. According to Dr. Chambers, omeprazole falls under a class of drugs known as proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Research shows that while PPIs are generally safe in short courses, decisions to use these drugs long-term should be made with caution and with consideration of other medications the pet is taking to avoid drug interactions. 

Omeprazole should also be avoided or used with caution in dogs who have liver or kidney disease, are pregnant, or are nursing. 

Guidelines for administering omeprazole in dogs

Dr. Chambers recommends pet owners give their dogs omeprazole on an empty stomach in the morning. “This allows for quick absorption and acid reduction and will hopefully manage nausea that may otherwise potentially cause vomiting after a meal.”

Dr. Alleyne adds that you can give omeprazole to your dog about 30 minutes before feeding them. If your dog vomits while taking the medicine on an empty stomach, you can give future doses with food.

It’s not uncommon to forget to give a dose of medication to your dog. If you miss a dose of omeprazole, Dr. Chambers says to go ahead and give your dog the dose if it is within a few hours of when the dose was scheduled. “If the missed dose is not realized until a few hours from the next scheduled dose, consider waiting until that dose is due,” Dr. Chambers adds.

If you’re unsure what to do, you can contact your veterinarian for guidance on administering the next dose of omeprazole. 

When you may need to stop giving your dog omeprazole, Dr. Spragley says the medication clears quickly from your dog’s bloodstream. 

“The drug’s half-life is only one hour in dogs,” Dr. Spragley says. “The effects of omeprazole’s antisecretory effect can last up to three to four days from a single dose even though it is no longer present in the bloodstream.”

While many antacids, such as famotidine, are available over the counter (OTC), Dr. Chambers says omeprazole is the best option for dogs. “Studies have shown omeprazole to be superior at reducing acid production in dogs in comparison,” Dr. Chambers adds.