Although the number of children in U.S. households has decreased over the past two decades, the ownership of pets has continued to increase steadily. The American Pet Products Association reported that 70% of American households now have a pet, up from 56% in 1988. The same organization says dogs and cats are the most popular types of pets in American households.
Dogs, like humans, can experience pain, inflammation, and other medical conditions that require medication to manage. While over-the-counter options may seem like a convenient and cost-effective solution, they may not always be the best choice for your furry friend.
Prescription medications offer several benefits over their over-the-counter counterparts, including more targeted pain relief, fewer side effects, and long-term safety.
This article will explore the benefits of prescription dog medications versus over-the-counter alternatives and highlight the importance of consulting a veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet.
Table of Contents
Quality Assurance
According to Verified Market Research, the veterinary drugs market was worth $16.28 billion in 2020. It is expected to reach $21.42 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99% between 2021 to 2028.
The industry is expanding due to the increasing awareness among pet owners about the importance of pet healthcare. While some veterinary drugs are similar to human drugs, the field has evolved with advances in drug development, leading to various specializations, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, neurology, cardiology, neurosurgery, and emergency treatment.
When it comes to your dog’s health, you want to be sure that the medication he or she is taking has been tested and approved by the FDA.
Prescription medications have been thoroughly tested for safety and efficacy, so you can trust that they’ll work as intended. Over-the-counter alternatives may not undergo this same level of scrutiny, which could mean that their effectiveness is inconsistent, and they may contain harmful ingredients that aren’t listed on the label.
If you’re considering an over-the-counter alternative because it seems safer than a prescription drug, think again. You don’t know what ingredients are in any given product. And even if you did know them all (which would require reading every single ingredient list), there’s no guarantee that those specific ingredients will work together safely with your pet’s other medications or daily diet plan.
Targeted Treatment
Prescription dog medications are specifically formulated to treat a particular condition or disease, which means they are often more effective at treating specific health issues than over-the-counter alternatives.
Additionally, prescription medications may have fewer side effects or interactions with other medications. A vet can also advise on other treatments that could help your dog with its symptoms, such as diet changes and exercise recommendations.
Over-the-counter products don’t always target the root cause of your pet’s discomfort. They just try to relieve symptoms temporarily by acting on one part of the body (e.g., reducing inflammation).
In contrast, prescription medication targets multiple parts of the body to address underlying causes of pain or discomfort. And this makes them much more effective at treating chronic conditions such as arthritis or hip dysplasia.
For example, Carprofen for dogs is a prescription medication that offers several benefits over over-the-counter pain medications for dogs. It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that effectively relieves pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis.
Carprofen is also safe for long-term use, has fewer side effects, and is more targeted in its pain relief action compared to over-the-counter options. However, it should only be administered under the guidance of a veterinarian.
In case Carprofen or any other prescribed medication for your dog is not available at your local store, it is advisable to check online stores such as PetRx. These online pet pharmacies typically offer a wide range of medicines and often provide free delivery services.
Strength and Dosage
The strength and dosage of prescription medication are something you want to be sure about before giving it to your pet. A professional vet can prescribe the right dosage for your pet’s weight and age, but if you choose an over-the-counter alternative instead, you must know what strength (mg/ml) of medication is available in each product.
Many people prefer using OTC drugs because they’re less expensive than prescriptions. But it’s important to keep in mind that these medications may not provide adequate relief from certain conditions such as arthritis or inflammation due to their lower potency compared with prescription equivalents.
Prescription medications are often available in higher strengths or dosages than over-the-counter alternatives. This means they can provide more effective relief for certain conditions.
Professional Guidance
Veterinarians are uniquely qualified to help you choose the right medication for your dog. They can also help you decide whether to use prescription or over-the-counter products and how best to administer them.
This professional guidance is particularly important for dogs with complex health issues or chronic conditions.
Cost-Effectiveness
One of the biggest benefits of prescription dog medications is that they tend to be more cost-effective than over-the-counter alternatives. While prescription medications may initially appear more expensive, they may be more cost-effective in the long run.
Prescription medications can be more effective at treating specific health issues, which means your dog may require fewer trips to the vet or fewer medications overall. Additionally, some insurance plans cover prescriptions but not over-the-counter options ( this varies depending on your plan, though).
According to Forbes Advisor, an accident and illness coverage plan is the most common pet insurance plan. It covers a wide range of issues, including accidents, ailments, and injuries.
The advantages of the plan are:
- Includes chronic illnesses and hereditary conditions
- Assists with expenses related to diagnostic tests, procedures, and hospitalizations resulting from accidents or illnesses
- Helps pay for prescription medication for accident and illness-related treatments.
Conclusion
When it comes to your dog’s health and safety, you have to make sure that you’re doing everything in your power to protect him. If you’re not sure about the benefits of prescription medications versus over-the-counter alternatives, we hope this article has helped clarify some things for you.
We would always recommend consulting with a veterinarian before making any decisions about your pet’s treatment plan.