According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the safe dosage is 2-4 milligrams of medication per kilogram of weight, or 0.9 to 1.8 milligrams per pound. This amount can be administered two to three times daily, depending on your dog’s symptoms.
If the right dosage and veterinary recommendations are followed, the popular over-the-counter drug Benadryl can also be used to treat dogs with allergies. Additionally, some dog owners administer it to their canines as a sedative, particularly during boisterous occasions like New Year’s Eve and Fourth of July celebrations.
Diphenhydramine, the most prevalent active component in Benadryl, blocks the uptake of histamine and reduces inflammation and other allergy symptoms. With veterinary supervision, diphenhydramine, an ingredient in sleep aids, is generally safe for dogs.
Before giving your dog any medication, including Benadryl, you should always consult your veterinarian to determine the proper dosage and any possible side effects that you should be aware of.
Benadryl is readily available here online or at any major pharmacy. Here are some things to know about Benadryl and how it can be used on dogs.
An over-the-counter antihistamine called Benadryl soothes allergic reactions to things like pollen, dust mite stings, and some vaccine reactions. Even though the FDA has not approved it for dogs or other animals, you can give your dog the medication without risk if your veterinarian gives the go-ahead.
The brand name for the medication used to treat allergies is Benadryl, not its actual name. There are numerous other companies that produce comparable goods, and there are additional medications sold under the Benadryl brand that you should avoid.
Before giving a medication to your dog, review the ingredients. The substance in Benadryl that is safe for dogs is called diphenhydramine. It’s not necessary to expose your dog to cetirizine even though it may be safe because it may not be present.
Acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine, which are not safe for dogs, are also present in some products. Use of these items is prohibited because they are poisonous to dogs.
For dogs, the usual dosage recommendation is one milligram of Benadryl per pound of body weight. However, as there are a number of factors that can alter this dosage recommendation, you should always consult your veterinarian.
Given that a tablet typically contains 25mg of medication, a 25-pound dog should receive one tablet. But be sure to read the dosage instructions on the package; don’t assume that all products will have the same dosage.
The liquid form may contain alcohol, which is toxic to dogs, so stick to the pill form.
Use the children’s formula for small dogs because it has less of the active ingredient and may be simpler for you to measure out. The children’s formula of liquid Benadryl contains no alcohol.
There’s also a topical form that can help with itching. Follow your vet’s guidelines for any creams or gels.
Every eight to twelve hours, or two to three times daily, you can give your dog Benadryl. The product may eventually start to lose its effectiveness if you use it frequently.
Most of the time, it’s preferable to give medication before being exposed to allergens Observe your veterinarian’s recommendations, and if they suggest a regimen, adhere to it for the duration of their advice even if symptoms appear to go away.
It’s important to strictly follow your vet’s guidelines. Symptoms of an overdose of Benadryl in dogs include:
The medication itself may cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. After your dog has taken the medication for the first time, always keep an eye on them.
Many allergic reaction symptoms in dogs, such as swelling, watery eyes, headaches, itching, and sneezing, are lessened by benadryl. These reactions can be brought on by a number of things, such as seasonal or environmental allergens, insect stings and bites, medications, and vaccines.
It can be used to treat nausea and motion sickness because the active component, diphenhydramine, is comparable to the active component in Dramamine. Before flights or car rides, it may be advised to lessen symptoms.
Benadryl’s sedative qualities can also make it a successful anxiety medication. When dogs are exposed to stressful situations like thunderstorms or fireworks that could cause an anxiety attack, some pet parents give them this medication.
What Does Benadryl Treat in Dogs?
Use of Benadryl is highly recommended for canines with mild to moderate allergies. Benadryl typically alleviates symptoms of seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites. Benadryl is frequently used to treat itching in dogs brought on by skin allergies, and it also lessens many other allergy symptoms, such as:
Drowsiness, one of Benadryl’s side effects, aids in calming anxious dogs. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, diphenhydramine may help pets who are experiencing mild-to-moderate travel-related anxiety symptoms. It also may help relieve motion sickness. Although Benadryl may occasionally help with anxiety, it’s best to speak with your veterinarian or an animal behaviorist to identify the cause of the anxiety and treat it.
For dogs with mast cell tumors, veterinarians prescribe Benadryl to lessen the effects of the significant histamine release brought on by mast cell degranulation. Diphenhydramine is occasionally prescribed by veterinarians for use during heartworm treatment because it lowers the possibility of an allergic reaction to the medication. A great addition to your pet’s first aid kit is Benadryl.
Can You Give A Dog Benadryl?
Caring dog owners are always super cautious about what they let their dogs ingest, from the food they eat to the medicines they take. While you should never give your pup medication without advice from your vet, there are a few over-the-counter drugs for humans your canine may benefit from in certain instances. If you are looking for the correct dosage of Benadryl to give your dog, we found a great infographic from Dog Health Coach.
You may be aware that dog owners occasionally give their dogs Benadryl to make them drowsy and prevent motion sickness during short car rides due to seasonal allergies. Is it safe to give Benadryl to my dog, and how will it affect them? is the most frequent query we receive.
We here at iHeartDogs got in touch with Dr. Michel Selmer, DVM, CTCVMP, to answer some questions for us. Also known as “The Caring Vet,” he offers traditional, holistic, integrative medical, surgical, and wellness care to his patients. He’s also the author of The Best of Both Worlds: An Advanced Guide to Integrative Veterinary Care for Happier, Healthier Pups, available on Amazon (digital copies are $2.99 and it’s free to Kindle Unlimited subscribers).
Once more, prior to giving your dog any type of medication, you should always consult your veterinarian. To determine whether your dog might benefit from taking an antihistamine, read the interview below.
Can Benadryl Be Used for Dog Allergies?
Antihistamine Benadryl inhibits the H-1 receptors on blood vessels’ smooth muscle. Benadryl can be mildly to moderately effective when administered orally to dogs who have minor allergic symptoms.
It is frequently used by veterinarians to treat allergies to the environment and allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. It can also be applied as a preventative measure against potential vaccine reactions.
However, take your pet right away to the veterinarian if they are experiencing an acute allergic reaction with facial swelling or breathing difficulties. A combination of allergy medication and underlying infection treatment is necessary for the treatment of many allergic diseases.
FAQ
Can dogs take Benadryl long term?
Benadryl Dosage for Dogs Your veterinarian might advise routinely giving Benadryl to your dog if it suffers from seasonal allergies. Some canines may even receive long-term treatment for mild allergies with one dose of Benadryl per day.
Can I give my dog Benadryl to sleep at night?
Some pet owners give their dogs Benadryl for insomnia because it induces drowsiness, which helps dogs fall asleep. Although it is frequently dosed at 1 mg/lb, it is safer to contact the veterinarian first because this is not a common application for the medication.
Can I give my dog Benadryl every day for anxiety?
Benadryl is generally regarded as safe to administer to dogs even though it is not currently on the FDA’s list of approved medications for veterinary use. Giving your dog Benadryl is okay as long as they don’t already have any serious medical conditions that require medication.
How many nights in a row can I give my dog Benadryl?
Your pet shouldn’t receive Benadryl more than three times in a single day.