Narcan/Naloxone for K9s
💊 Opioid exposures happen fast.
With fentanyl & carfentanil on the rise, every working dog handler needs to understand the risk, the myths and be ready.
⁉️ FAQ:
Are environmental opioid exposures common in First Responders (Human or K9?)
Actually, despite what some dramatic social media stories suggest, environmental opioid exposures in First Responders — human or canine — are extremely rare.
💡 Here’s why:
Opioids cause harm by slowing or stopping breathing. Many “overdose” videos circulating online actually show the opposite — symptoms like panic or shaking, which are not consistent with opioid effects.
To cause an overdose from the air alone, the opioid concentration would have to be incredibly dense.
Opioid absorption through healthy skin is very slow — for example, fentanyl patches take more than 12 hours to start working.
- And for K9s… they require a higher dose than humans to be effected!
🐾 For dogs, the real danger is ingestion.
K9s explore the world with their mouths — meaning prescription meds, pain patches, and recreational drugs can all be a risk if they’re accessible. Ingestion remains the most common route of K9 opioid exposure.
💊 Bottom line:
Environmental exposure? Rare.
Accidental ingestion – most common route for K9s
Better to be safe than sorry! Carry Narcan and know how to use it! ☑️
What is Narcan?
Narcan® is the brand name for naloxone, a fast-acting drug that temporarily reverses the effects of opioids like fentanyl, heroin, and morphine — in dogs and people.
What drugs does Narcan/Naloxone reverse?
Narcan/Naloxone is only effective in reversing Opioids, including Morphine, Fentanyl, and Carfentanyl
Remember that “Narcotics Dogs” actually detect a much wider range of drugs than solely opioids!
Can Narcan harm my dog or effect their scenting ability?
Fortunately, Narcan is an incredibly safe drug. It will not harm your K9 if you administer it in the absence of opioids.
Also, research by Dr. Cindy Otto demonstrates that their scenting ability is not effected.
Are dogs likely to sneeze when administering Narcan?
No. Narcan is given specific to reverse a severe depression (slowing) of breathing. By the time a K9 needs Narcan, the sneeze reflex is also dulled.
However, if you try to ‘pretend’ to administer a water spray to a conscious dog, then yes, they may sneeze. While we love real-world training we don’t recommend training with water on live demo dogs as it is not realistic and can create training scars (ie creates a false learning environment that could have negative learning and performance outcomes).
🖥️ Narcan Administration for K9s OnLine Module
The course is federally mandated for certain K9 handler programs and is trusted by agencies nationwide. Includes video instruction, interactive learning checks, and a certificate upon completion.
Coming Soon – K9 Narcan Kits
We are partnering with Integrated MedCraft to offer complete K9 Narcan Kits, designed specifically for working dog handlers.
Kits will include:
Two doses of intranasal Narcan
Made in the USA Molle belt pouch for secure carry
