Benadryl can also be helpful for anxiety about events such as thunderstorms or fireworks, for motion sickness, or as part of treatment for mast cell tumors. For allergies, Benadryl is most effective if given before your dog is exposed to the thing that sparks his allergy. Thankfully, diphenhydramine has a fairly wide safety margin in dogs. A safe and easy dosage to remember is 1 milligram per pound of body weight. For example, a pound dog would get 50 milligrams of Benadryl. Brand name and generic forms generally come in milligram tablets, so that pound dog would get two tablets at a time.
Avoid the adult formula of liquid Benadryl, as this often contains alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. As with any flavored human medication, always check the inactive ingredients for xylitol, a sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs.
Do not give your pet any medication or any other substance containing xylitol. Do not give Benadryl if your dog has a heart condition particularly high blood pressure , glaucoma, seizures, bladder issues particularly an obstruction , or lung disease. If symptoms persist even after giving Benadryl, contact your vet. Nicole Wanner is a veterinarian and published scientific researcher. She studies the effects of CBD as a Ph. Skin Balm For Dogs. Calming Chews. Mobility Chews. Skin and Coat Chews.
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Close search. Table Of Contents What is Benadryl used for in dogs? Natural alternatives to Benadryl What is Benadryl used for in dogs?
Allergies: Benadryl is a brand name for a type of drug known as Diphenhydramine — an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as rashes , itching, and dog eye allergies that can come from seasonal or environmental allergens. Anxiety: Benadryl contains soothing properties, which can promote calmness in dogs during high-stress situations i.
Insomnia: For dogs with trouble sleeping, Benadryl can make your dog feel drowsy and promote sleep. Itching: Diphenhydramine can decrease itching and minimize the reaction of insect bites and bee stings. Motion sickness: Since the active ingredient in Diphenhydramine is similar to the active ingredient found in Dramamine a motion sickness drug , Benadryl can be useful to treat nausea and motion sickness when traveling. Types of Benadryl for dogs Liquid: Benadryl is available in liquid form, but it is toxic for dogs because it contains alcohol.
Therefore, you should not give it to your dog. Tablet: Each Benadryl tablet contains 25 mg of Diphenhydramine. Your dog will likely hate swallowing the pill, so you might need to hide it in a delicious treat each time. Never use the time-release tablets as they are hard to dose correctly in dogs; the reason for this is that tablets are absorbed differently in dogs than in humans.
Children's liquid formula: If you prefer to use a liquid Benadryl, the children's formula contains no alcohol. It is also less concentrated and has a lower dosage range, which might be more suitable for owners of small dogs since it will be easier to measure out. Spray: Benadryl spray can be used in emergency cases where your dog can't breathe due to swelling from insect bites and allergic rashes.
However, spraying Bendaryl on open or raw wounds can sting, causing significant discomfort to your dog. Topical: Benadryl also comes in gel or cream form that you can apply directly to your dog's itchy skin.
Keep in mind though that irritation can occur after prolonged use. Diphenhydramine works by blocking the receptors that receive histamines in the body. This relieves many of the symptoms associated with allergies, like itching, sneezing, and hives. The body still produces histamines, but the receptor antagonist blocks the receptors from registering the histamines. Benadryl is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases.
Benadryl is commonly used to treat itchiness in dogs caused by skin allergies , and it also reduces many of the other symptoms of allergies , including:. One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, which helps to calm anxious dogs. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that diphenhydramine may relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety in pets associated with travel.
It also may help relieve motion sickness. Veterinarians prescribe Benadryl for dogs with mast cell tumors to help mitigate the effects of the massive histamine release caused by mast cell degranulation. Veterinarians sometimes prescribe diphenhydramine during heartworm treatment, as it helps reduce the risk of an allergic reaction to the heartworm treatment therapy.
Benadryl makes an excellent addition to your pet first aid kit. Allergy symptoms like itching and red eyes are also signs of more serious conditions. Red, goopy eyes could be a symptom of allergies, or it could also be a sign of glaucoma or dry eye, which Benadryl will not help treat. Similarly, itching is frequently associated with allergies and other skin conditions.
Your vet will also be able to tell you whether Benadryl will interact with other medications that your dog is taking. There are side effects associated with using Benadryl for dogs that all dog owners should be aware of. Most side effects occur within the first hour of exposure, so monitor your dog carefully during this time.
If your dog has any of the following conditions, only use Benadryl after consulting your veterinarian:. Signs of an overdose include hyper-excitability of the central nervous system, which can be fatal.
Other warning signs to watch for are:.
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