Can I give my dog celexa?

Thinking of giving the family dog Celexa to treat their depression? Providing this human medication to a pet is risky and, very likely, inappropriate. You really should get a diagnosis as a first step.

While convenient, using leftover pills to help a dog isn’t the right thing to do. Most drugs that work on a neurological level, such as Celexa, can have dire consequences for animals and are best strictly avoided.

Make no mistake about it, prescription meds can be lethal for pets and Celexa is no different. There’s also a long list of terrible side effects that come with these types of antidepressants. Learn more for your dog’s sake!

Can I Give My Dog Celexa? Answer: Must get vet approval

Do not take it upon yourself to provide your pet pooch with this powerful med.

Instead, get a vet’s diagnosis and an appropriate prescription for your dog’s condition which may or may not be depression. Celexa works by upping serotonin levels. Dogs also have serotonin but don’t assume that this drug could be safely used on pets. Celexa wasn’t developed for dogs and so it carries great health risks if you experiment. Doing so is reckless and there isn’t a dose you can give your dog that will counteract this grim reality.

Celexa for Canine Depression

Some owners and vets say that dogs can get depressed and there are treatment options that exist if your dog is diagnosed with a case of depression. There are also those that believe that dogs can’t get depressed because it’s a human condition, and we are just transferring our advanced thoughts into the canine mind.

Proponents claim that because dogs are domesticated and in tune with human emotions, that they’re able to pick up on our depressed feelings, and start feeling bad themselves. Critics say that it’s just not possible, because dogs are not aware of their own forthcoming death, and are always in the moment.

And the Debate Rages On

It’s up to you which side you want to be on regarding whether or not your dog can get depressed, but whichever way you choose you should pick a better way to treat them than medicating them at home with drugs prescribed to you by a doctor.

Your vet can help you troubleshoot to find out why your dog might be having behavioral issues, as the causes can often be peripheral, and hard to determine on your own. You can always get a second opinion if the first vet you go to doesn’t see eye to eye with you.

Giving Dogs Human Meds

It’s never a good idea to give your dog human medication because it’s made for humans, and no amount of tinkering with the dosage will make it okay for a dog. You wouldn’t want to take canine medication, so there shouldn’t be a double standard here.

Video: Celexa and Zoey

Treat your dog with the respect that they deserve as another life form, and make sure that they’re getting the best care possible. We live in a remarkable age where there’s actually specially developed medication for dogs, and it’s our responsibility to make sure those are the ones they receive.

When to Call the Vet

If your dog has eaten some Celexa call a vet right away. They may advise you to induce vomiting, or they might have you bring them in right away depending on what symptoms they’re exhibiting. Just don’t panic, and try to calculate how many they’ve taken so you can give accurate information to the vet.

It’s always possible to find owners out there that will say they gave their dog Celexa and nothing happened. This doesn’t make it right for you, and there are plenty of differing viewpoints on how to care for a dog.

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