How Do I Choose the Best Dog Sleeping Pills?
Several factors go into choosing the best dog sleeping pills. You’ll need to determine the exact reason your dog needs help sleeping, and this might require a veterinarian’s assistance. You’ll also need to decide whether you want to use a prescription or over-the-counter canine medication. This decision will require you to research different manufacturers and brands. Such research will also help you find sleeping pills for dogs that are both safe quality products and within your price range.
Before medicating your dog, consider making an appointment with his veterinarian. Some dogs suffer from canine sleep disorders, and these could lead to or indicate health problems beyond just sleep deprivation. On the other hand, you might be interested in dog sleeping pills because you plan to take a trip with your dog and you want him to be calm and relaxed. Sometimes, completely sedating a dog isn’t necessary for peaceful travel and your veterinarian might suggest other medications to help soothe your dog. The veterinarian can recommend the appropriate medication for the condition or situation, as well as diagnose any condition you might not be aware of.
Similar to human medication, canine medication comes in prescription and over-the-counter formulas. Generally, prescription sleeping pills for dogs are stronger, and because you need a prescription to obtain them, your vet has approved their use. This doesn’t mean that over-the-counter canine sleeping pills can’t be just as effective. Some over-the-counter remedies are available in herbal and natural formulas, which might be important to you. Too, some companies manufacture over-the-counter medication to help calm and soothe pets, which is often necessary for an owner traveling with a dog.
Whether you bring your dog to the veterinarian or decide to try over-the-counter dog sleeping pills, first you should research the various prescription and store-bought formulas. Read information about the medication’s intended purpose, what kinds of dogs can use the medication, and the proper dosage for your dog’s size and weight. Search for online message boards and forums where other pet owners have discussed the experiences they’ve had with certain pet conditions and remedies. Before you purchase over-the-counter dog sleeping pills, make sure both the store and the brand have reputations for manufacturing and distributing quality products. If you opt to bring your dog to the veterinarian for a prescription, such research might help you know which questions to ask during his appointment.
If cost plays a role in your decision, make sure an affordable price isn’t negated by inferior quality. Researching the product and consumer reviews will help with this, as will comparing the costs of the same dog sleeping pills at a variety of retail locations. Also, keep in mind that while obtaining a veterinarian’s prescription might cost more in the beginning, you can ask your veterinarian for a prescription with refills. This will cut down on the costs in the long run, because you won’t need to bring your dog in for each prescription.
