Prednisone is a type of medication known as a corticosteroid. Veterinarians prescribe this medication to dogs to treat inflammation and aid their immune system.
Prednisone is a generic medication called a corticosteroid. Doctors commonly prescribe it to people for a variety of conditions, but it’s also an approved medication for dogs. In dogs, it is used to treat allergic, inflammatory, and immune-related conditions, including arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Some veterinarians may also prescribe prednisone as an off-label medication to treat other conditions that can affect your dog.
Vets may prescribe prednisone to your dog as a short-term treatment for their skin or as a part of a treatment plan for managing a chronic condition. Prednisone can help reduce inflammation and regulate the activity of their immune system.
Prednisone for dogs
Lucas Ottone/Stocksy United
Vets may prescribe prednisone (Deltasone) to your dog as treatment for a variety of conditions. Prednisone is frequently used in the short term for treating different types of skin conditions in dogs, including:
a bacterial skin infection called pyoderma
flea allergy dermatitis
contact dermatitis
lupus
Prednisone may also help your dog with ear infections, neck pain, cysts between the pads on their feet, and anal gland abscesses.
Prednisone can help suppress the response of your dog’s immune system and manage health conditions that can lead to inflammation.
When you give prednisone to your dog, their liver processes the medication and turns it into prednisolone, another type of corticosteroid, reducing inflammation.
If your dog has liver problems, such as liver diseases, the vet may prescribe synthetic (human-made) prednisolone. This may be a better choice to avoid putting your pet’s liver under additional stress and to make sure their body effectively processes the medication.
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Prednisone is typically very effective and safe for treating dogs, but if you do not follow the vet’s recommendations when giving the medication to your dog, it may cause some serious side effects.
The possible side effects that your dog may experience with prednisone may include:
increased urination (polyuria)
excessive thirst (polydipsia)
increased hunger (polyphagia), potentially resulting in obesity
rapid or panting breaths
vomiting
diarrhea
lethargy
Additional short-term side effects
When taking prednisone, your dog may also experience:
general loss of energy
new diagnosis of a pre-existing infection
temporary development of diabetes in dogs with prediabetes
changes in heart function due to increased fluid retention
Potential long-term effects
With prolonged use of prednisone, your dog may experience:
increased risk of urinary tract infection, requiring routine urine cultures for monitoring
development of thin skin, blackheads, or areas of hard skin due to calcium deposits
reduced ability to heal wounds or grow hair
obesity
muscle weakness
increased risk of infection
increased risk of Cushing syndrome
If your dog is receiving prednisone, either as a temporary treatment or as part of their ongoing treatment plan, and they develop any of these symptoms, you should contact a veterinarian.
Prednisone is often used as a short-term treatment. If a vet prescribes this medication to your dog for a period of time longer than 4 months, they may want to periodically monitor the health of your dog’s liver and kidneys and check whether your pet has developed a higher risk for diabetes.
Corticosteroids can also suppress your dog’s immune system. Giving prednisone to your dog can delay their recovery from injuries or other illnesses.
Dosage
When prescribing medications like prednisone, veterinarians work to find the lowest effective dosage. They may gradually decrease the amount or frequency of the medication over time to find the lowest dosage that reduces symptoms.
Always talk with a veterinarian before giving any amount of steroid, including prednisone, to your dog. The dosage of prednisone vets recommend can vary depending on several factors, including:
the condition being treated
the size and weight of your dog
other medications your dog may be taking
other conditions your dog may have
For example, prednisone is typically prescribed in milligrams per kilogram of your dog’s weight to be given each day (mg/kg per day).
Some 2023 research into short-term prednisone use for conditions like dermatitis found that starting dosages ranged from 0.36–2.64 mg/kg per day, and the starting dosage differed depending on the size of the dog breed.
If your dog needs prednisolone to reduce inflammation or to maintain low levels of inflammation, veterinarians typically do not prescribe more than 1 mg/kg per day.
Vets may also prescribe prednisone as a treatment for managing other conditions, such as hypoadrenocorticism, that can cause deficiencies of natural glucocorticoids in your dog’s body. Some 2018 research suggests that the usual dosage is 0.1–0.25 mg/kg per day, but some bigger dogs may only need 0.05 mg/kg per day.
Higher dosages may be prescribed if your dog needs immunosuppression. This may occur if your dog develops chronic conditions such as arthritis or lupus erythematosus. A 2020 study finds that a dosage of 2 mg/kg per day for 7 days has an immunosuppressive effect, although this was studied in healthy dogs.
Potential risks and cautions
Your veterinarian will evaluate your dog’s health to determine if there are any reasons why your dog should not take prednisone. This includes factors such as:
current medications your dog may be taking, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or diuretics
presence of heart failure or a restricted sodium diet
diabetes
pregnancy
It is important to talk with the prescribing veterinarian before having your dog stop their prednisone treatment. Your doctor can develop a schedule to taper your dog off the medication.
Summary
Prednisone is a corticosteroid that veterinarians prescribe to dogs to treat a variety of conditions. Dermatitis is one of the most common conditions treated with prednisone.
However, vets also prescribe this medication to suppress your dog’s immune system and manage conditions such as arthritis, seizures, and other chronic conditions that cause systemic inflammation.
Prednisone can cause several side effects, including excessive thirst, hunger, and urination. To reduce the risk of side effects, you should always follow the recommendations of the vet and give the correct dosage of prednisone to your dog.
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