What Antibiotics Can You Give Dogs? Common Antibiotics & Their Uses

This is not medical advice. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any new medication, supplement, or food.

When your dog is sick, all you want is for them to feel better. If your pup is suffering from a bacterial infection—such as an ear infection, urinary tract infection, or respiratory illness—your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to help fight off the infection and support your dog’s recovery.

However, it's important to have a proper diagnosis before starting any antibiotic treatment. Giving your dog antibiotics without knowing the cause of illness can lead to ineffective treatment and contribute to antibiotic resistance.

According to veterinarian Dr. Michelle Burch, it’s best to request a bacterial culture to identify the specific bacteria at play. This helps ensure your dog receives the most effective antibiotic for their condition.

There is little that is more troublesome and stressful than when your precious pup is sick. When your dog is sick, all you want to do is help them heal and feel better. If your dog has a bacterial infection, like the common cold, an ear infection, or a urinary tract infection, then your vet may prescribe antibiotics to kill off the infection. 

Can You Give Your Dog Human Antibiotics?

If you’re wondering whether you can give your dog leftover antibiotics from your own prescription, the answer is no. Human antibiotics are not formulated for dogs and could be harmful—even if the drug name is the same.

Dogs process medications differently, and dosage, absorption, and potential side effects can vary greatly. Some human medications are even toxic to dogs. That’s why veterinary oversight is essential for antibiotic use in pets.

Common Antibiotics Given to Dogs

Below are the most common antibiotics prescribed by vets for dogs. While some names may sound familiar, these medications should only be administered under veterinary guidance and in formulations designed specifically for dogs.

1. Amoxil (amoxicillin)

Amoxicillin is an aminopenicillin antibiotic that is used to treat bacterial infections. It is most commonly used for infections of the skin, respiratory system, and urinary tract. This medication is off-label, which means that the instructions on the bottle will be different than what your vet tells you to do.

2. Clavamox (amoxicillin-clavulanic acid)

Clavamox is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is a type of penicillin. This drug is the veterinary equivalent of Augmentin, which is an antibiotic for humans. Clavamox was designed specifically for veterinary usage and is primarily used to treat skin infections, infections of the soft tissues like wounds or abscesses, and periodontal disease.

3. Flagyl (metronidazole)

Flagyl, or metronidazole, is a strong antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections and some parasites. Flagyl is most often used to treat diarrhea or general inflammation of the large intestine. Not only is this medicine safe for dogs, cats, and horses, but it’s also used to treat humans. This medicine is taken orally or used as topical on the skin.

4. Cleocin (clindamycin)

Clindamycin is used to treat a wide variety of bacterial infections in both dogs and cats. Vets will often prescribe this medicine to treat wounds, bone, and dental infections, and toxoplasmosis. If you’re giving this drug to your dog in pill form, always give it with a wet treat or some liquid. It can hurt your dog’s esophagus if it gets stuck in there.

5. Baytril (enrofloxacin)

Enrofloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that’s an off-label prescription, which means that the instructions your vet gives you will be different from what’s on the bottle’s label. This medication comes as a tablet and works best when given on an empty stomach. In addition to dogs, enrofloxacin is also used with small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

6. Garamycin (gentamicin)

Gentamicin is a type of aminoglycoside antibiotic. This medicine is commonly used to treat infections of the eyes and ears in dogs as well as humans and small animals. Garamycin helps prevent infections from wounds, and can also be used on sinus infections, bladder infections, and infections in the bloodstream.

7. Bactrim (sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim)

Bactrim is an antibiotic and antimicrobial that vets use to treat specific kinds of infections like bladder or prostate infections, or parasitic infections. Not only is this drug used on dogs, but vets can also use it on cats, birds, reptiles, and small mammals. Be sure to follow your vet’s instructions carefully, since they will be different than the label on the bottle. Make sure your dog has plenty of water when giving them this medication.

8. Vibramycin (doxycycline)

Doxycycline has a broad range of uses in veterinary medicine and is used to treat anaplasma, which is a disease from ticks, heartworm disease, and periodontal, or tooth and gum, disease. This medicine comes in tablets, capsules, and liquid form. Give your dog lots of water after administering this medication.

9. Keflex (cephalexin)

Cephalexin is used to treat skin and urinary tract infections. This medicine comes in capsules, liquid, and a chewable tablet. This medicine can be given with or without food, but if your dog vomits after taking this medicine, try giving it with a small amount of food.

How to Support Your Dog’s Gut Health During and After Antibiotics

Antibiotics can be tough on your dog’s gut, often disrupting the balance of healthy bacteria in their digestive system. That’s where postbiotics come in.

Postbiotics are the beneficial byproducts created when probiotics (good bacteria) break down prebiotic fiber in the gut. These byproducts include compounds like short-chain fatty acids, enzymes, and peptides that help support gut lining integrity, reduce inflammation, and promote immune health.

Unlike probiotics, which are live organisms, postbiotics are non-living, which makes them more stable and easier to incorporate into your dog’s routine—especially during antibiotic use.

Veterinarians recommend giving postbiotics alongside antibiotics to help maintain digestive balance and protect the gut microbiome. Just be sure to give them at least 2–3 hours apart from antibiotics so the medication doesn’t interfere with their benefits.

Once your dog finishes their antibiotic treatment, continue using postbiotics for a few weeks to support recovery and help restore optimal gut health.

In addition to postbiotics, you can support your dog’s gut by offering gut-friendly foods that naturally promote a healthy microbiome. These foods can help nourish beneficial bacteria, improve digestion, and support your dog’s overall well-being—especially during and after a round of antibiotics. Here are a few pet-safe options to consider:

Prebiotic-Rich Foods

Prebiotics are fibers that feed the good bacteria in your dog’s gut, helping them grow and thrive. These are especially helpful when paired with Postbiotics.

• Chicory root

• Mushrooms like maitake, reishi, and shiitake (must be cooked and dog-safe)

• Bananas (in moderation)

• Apples (without seeds or core)

• Dandelion greens

Probiotic Foods

Probiotics are live bacteria that support gut health by replenishing beneficial microbes. While Postbiotics are more stable and easier to use during antibiotic treatment, probiotic foods can still be helpful addition after treatment ends.

• Plain Greek yogurt (higher in probiotics, lower in lactose)

• Kefir (unsweetened, unflavored, in small amounts)

• Fermented vegetables like plain sauerkraut (no added salt or spices) in tiny portions

Always introduce new foods gradually and in moderation, and be sure they are free of added sugars, artificial sweeteners (especially xylitol), and seasonings that can be harmful to dogs.

Remember, when your dog needs antibiotics, working with your vet is key to making sure they get the right treatment. To support their recovery, don’t forget to care for their gut, too. Adding Postbiotics and gut-friendly foods can help maintain a healthy microbiome during and after antibiotic use, keeping your pup’s digestion—and overall health—on track.