Whether dogs can be given Flonase is a fairly common question. After all, animals get their fair share of allergies.
First the good news! Veterinarians do prescribe this corticosteroid nasal spray.
With that being said…
Flonase may not be optimal for your dog’s situation. For example, it could be that Azelastine AKA Optivar is a better choice.
Some Dogs Benefit From Flonase
But get a professional involved to ensure safe and effective treatment.
Reaching for a leftover Flonase supply is just not the right approach.
And it should be pointed out that many allergies come and go. In other words, medicating your dog may be unnecessary.
On the other hand…
Recurring congestion, runny nose and/or sneezing should be checked out by your vet. Take that route if your pet’s problem persists.
A Safe Flonase Alternative: HomeoPet Nose Relief is chemical-free and does not cause side effects.
Not So Practical For Pets
Flonase (AKA fluticasone propionate) is a synthetic glucocorticoid spray application for the nasal cavity.
As you can imagine, pet use isn’t exactly practical. You may have difficultly providing it to your dog. Indeed, it can be tricky.
But again, we are much more concerned with ensuring that Flonase doesn’t cause harm.
Obviously this intranasal drug is intended for humans. There’s a heightened level of risk when it comes to animals. Do not experiment.
Pet Dogs And Allergies
While dogs are equally susceptible to seasonal allergies, more often than not, they are able to handle the resulting symptoms and annoyances.
Just because a furry friend may be having a rough time, on any given day, doesn’t mean it requires a pharmaceutical.
Be proactive by attempting to pin down specific allergen(s) causing the issue. Then, make an effort to avoid exposing your dog to the source.
If possible, that is way preferable to Flonase and similar medications.
A Wait And See Approach
It cannot be stressed enough:
Too often owners make a situation worse with meds.
Why not take a wait and see approach towards the occasional allergy?
Is your dog really suffering?
If so, head to a vet. Besides, Flonase is not a long-term solution.
A Few Other Ideas
Putting Flonase aside…
A good bath can work wonders for allergies (particularly those that are skin-related).
Likewise, a quality canine shampoo can help with many allergies susceptible to dogs.
Also be sure to thoroughly clean or replace their bedding as it may be a contributing factor.
Confirm It’s Allergies
Some signs and symptoms that seem allergy-related could actually be, for example, kennel cough.
You do not want to expose your dog to risks for something that could be completely unrelated to pesky allergies.
Such a scenario would be dangerous. All sorts of complications could result, even death. Vets spend years studying!
The Bottom Line
Flonase isn’t out of the question for your dog’s allergies, but a diagnosis comes first.
Further, preventative measures are much preferred. With some detective work you can reduce or even eliminate the pet’s underling problem(s).
Most dogs do not need Flonase for seasonal allergies.
My poor doggie is getting older. She was panting heavily, but she also was making a sound that sounded like a hard, loud flapping kind of noise. I thought I’d go crazy as she’d do it all the time. It kept me awake at night.
I took her to vet 3-4 times and each time he’d say nothing’s wrong. All tests showed up A-OK (chest x-rays, etc.) Finally, one day I was using Fluticasone and wondered if it would help her. I gave it a try and pumped 3 squirts in each nostril.
I cannot tell you the transformation. It was unbelievable. That night she had her head pointed upwards and was sniffing the fresh air. I was so happy to see it.
My Fluticasone is a Rx, but it is basically the same as Flonase. And of course, definitely have any issue checked out with your vet first to make sure it isn’t anything more.
My Yorkie occasionally has a hard time breathing. He also chokes and gasps for breath. My husband suggested we try Flonase.
We squirt 3 puffs into a solo cup and basically put his head in the cup. He can’t help but breathe in. It’s instant relief and he breathes comfortably.
How do I give Flonase?