Pet medicines by condition: dogs and cats
Checked against our pet condition and medication guides: October 2026
Short answer
This page covers 8 conditions vets most often treat with ongoing medicine: arthritis in dogs, allergies and itching in dogs, anxiety in dogs, seizures and epilepsy in dogs and cats, diabetes in dogs and cats, chronic kidney disease in cats, hyperthyroidism in cats and heart disease in dogs. For each, it lists the medicines commonly prescribed, how many a regular pharmacy can fill on your vet’s prescription, and links to a full guide for the condition and every medicine.
Conditions and the medicines vets commonly prescribe
Carprofen, Meloxicam, Gabapentin, Amantadine, Tramadol
A regular pharmacy can fill 4 of 5 on your vet’s prescription
Oclacitinib (Apoquel), Prednisone and prednisolone, Cyclosporine, Cephalexin
A regular pharmacy can fill 3 of 4 on your vet’s prescription
Trazodone, Gabapentin, Fluoxetine, Clomipramine
A regular pharmacy can fill 4 of 4 on your vet’s prescription
Phenobarbital, Levetiracetam, Zonisamide, Potassium bromide
A regular pharmacy can fill 3 of 4 on your vet’s prescription
Insulin for diabetic pets, Famotidine and omeprazole, Prednisone and prednisolone
A regular pharmacy can fill 3 of 3 on your vet’s prescription
Telmisartan, Benazepril and enalapril, Mirtazapine, Famotidine and omeprazole, Maropitant (Cerenia), Ondansetron
A regular pharmacy can fill 5 of 6 on your vet’s prescription
Methimazole, Benazepril and enalapril, Famotidine and omeprazole
A regular pharmacy can fill 3 of 3 on your vet’s prescription
Pimobendan (Vetmedin), Furosemide, Benazepril and enalapril
A regular pharmacy can fill 2 of 3 on your vet’s prescription
How vets choose a medicine
The same condition can be treated in several ways, and the right choice depends on the diagnosis and on your pet: the species, weight and age, other conditions such as kidney or liver disease, other medicines, and how easily the medicine can be given. A cat that will not take tablets may do better with a liquid or a gel rubbed on the ear; a dog on long-term pain relief may need blood tests to keep the treatment safe. Cost matters too, and it is reasonable to tell your vet if a medicine is hard to afford, since there is often more than one suitable option.
Questions to ask your vet
- What are the options for this condition, and why do you recommend this one?
- Is there a human version a regular pharmacy can fill, and is it suitable for my pet?
- How will we know it is working, and what side effects should I watch for?
- Will my pet need blood tests or check-ups while taking it?
- Can you write the prescription so I can compare pharmacy prices?
Long-term medicines and cost
Most of these conditions need medicine for months or for life, so the cost of each refill adds up. Many of the medicines listed are human generics that a regular pharmacy can fill, where prices vary between pharmacies and against the clinic. On Script Unlock, licensed pharmacies quote their own cash price on your vet’s prescription, and you choose one and pay the pharmacy directly. See which pet medicines a regular pharmacy can fill for the full list.
Safety
Give only what your vet prescribes, at the dose prescribed for your pet. Many human medicines that are not prescribed are dangerous to pets, and some human liquids contain xylitol, which is toxic to dogs. See human medicines that are dangerous for dogs and cats.
Frequently asked questions
What medicine is best for my dog’s or cat’s condition?
Your vet decides, based on the diagnosis, your pet’s species, weight, age and other conditions, and how easy the medicine is to give. The guides here explain the common options so you can discuss them.
Can I fill my pet’s long-term medicine at a regular pharmacy?
Often, yes. Many long-term pet medicines are human drugs a pharmacy can fill on your vet’s prescription; the table shows how many for each condition.
Are human versions as good as the veterinary products?
When your vet prescribes the human version, it is the same medicine at the dose chosen for your pet. Some veterinary products have no human equivalent, and your vet will say when a specific product matters.
How can I lower the cost of a long-term pet medicine?
Ask whether a generic human version is suitable, ask about larger supplies for stable long-term medicines, and compare pharmacy quotes with the clinic’s price.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual
- FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine
- Each condition and medicine guide, linked above, lists its own prescribing information and sources.