Is It Ok to Give Dogs Benadryl?

Is it ok to give dogs Benadryl?

I am pretty sure that we all, at least once, have gulped down Benadryl to help with allergies or colds. But can you give a dog Benadryl for the same reason?

Benadryl is a popular antihistamine that eases symptoms of allergies like a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and watery eyes in some people. Benadryl, however, has not been approved by the FDA for use on animals. Regardless, it is a popular off-label vet medication that helps treat allergies or other issues in some animals, and mostly dogs.

Benadryl is not just affordable but is also considered pretty safe when it comes to dogs. However, there are safety precautions that you need to take care of as a pet owner, too. Just because it is safe to use, there are limits to which you can give Benadryl to your dog.

In this article, we shall discuss everything there is about dogs and Benadryl so that you don’t end up doing anything that is unsafe for your fur baby.

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Is It OK to Give Dogs Benadryl?

Yes, you can give your dog Benadryl to treat certain issues in their bodies. Some of the most common reasons why vets would you to give Benadryl to your dog are:

Allergic Reactions

Dogs are way more allergic than humans. Hence, Benadryl is a great medication for allergies to mold, pollen, household mites, insect bites, foods, and even snake bites.

However, when you use it in a routine, Benadryl helps more in preventing allergies than treating them.

Vaccine Reactions

Just like humans, dogs can get vaccine reactions, too. Benadryl is an effective medication for dogs that have high sensitivity to vaccines.

Symptomatic Relief

Benadryl can be used for dogs to treat swelling, hives, redness, sneezing, coughing, and other acute allergies.

Motion Sickness and Anxiety

Dogs suffer from major anxiety and motion sickness while traveling. Benadryl, due to its calming components, can help dogs feel at ease while traveling long distances.

Mast-Cell Tumor Treatment

Mast cells release histamines. This is the reason why using an antihistamine is logical when it comes to dogs. This is particularly important at the time of surgical removal of a mast cell tumor. It is very common for vets to give Benadryl to dogs before beginning the procedure.

Is Benadryl Safe for Dogs?

When you use it under the inspection of your dog’s veterinarian, Benadryl is as safe as it can be for dogs. The main reason why Benadryl is used is to treat allergies and colds. So, if the vet suggests it, you can easily use it for your dog.

But just because you read somewhere that Benadryl is safe for dogs does not mean that you are going to pull out a bottle and feed it straight to them. There are limitations and dosages that would depend on the health of your dog.

Only a medical professional can determine if Benadryl is warranted and safe for use by your dog.

Dosage And Administration

Determining the correct dosage of Benadryl for your dog depends on their specific allergies, weight, itching symptoms, and, of course, the potential side effects.

“The dosage of Benadryl for dogs is based on their body weight, with a recommended range of 2 to 4 milligrams per kilogram (or 0.9 to 1.8 milligrams per pound) of their weight. ???? See the chart below for easy dosing based on your dog’s weight.”

If you see your dog experiencing some very mild itching or allergies, it is better to give them a very low dose. However, if the symptoms are more severe, like sneezing or swelling, it is better to get a higher dose recommendation from their veterinarian.

Benadryl is reported to work better when you start it at the earliest onset of allergy symptoms than when the symptoms are at the peak. The sedative effects, however, vary depending on one dog to the other, but mostly on the dosages. With a higher dose, the chances of sedation are higher.

With that, some dogs may come across lethargy or drowsiness after they take the medication. And others may not be affected one bit. It is necessary to monitor how your dog responds to the medicine and change the dose accordingly.

Benadryl Dosage Chart for Dogs

Side Effects of Benadryl in Dogs

Benadryl usually suits most dogs well, but that does not mean it is 100 percent safe for dogs. You need to know that the medicine does have some potential side effects that can get as serious as it can get if you are not careful enough.

Here are the potential side effects that you need to be careful of:

• Sedation or drowsiness. However, it is not as prominent as it is in human beings.
• Digestive issues like vomiting or diarrhea. However, this problem can be solved when given food.
• Agitation is more common for the higher doses.
• Dry mouth
• Seizures
• Urinary retention
• Constricted pupils

In addition, if your dog already has conditions like cardiovascular disease, glaucoma, or seizure disorders, if the dog is pregnant, it is very important that you discuss it first with a vet if it is at all safe to give them Benadryl.

“NEVER GIVE YOUR DOG AN “ALLERGY AND SINUS” FORM OF BENADRYL OR ANY ANTIHISTAMINE TO YOUR DOG. THE SINUS COMPONENT OFTEN REFERS TO TO ADDITION OF PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, WHICH IS EXTREMELY TOXIC TO DOGS. MAKE SURE YOUR BENADRYL ONLY CONTAINS DIPHENHYDRAMINE AS THE MEDICINAL INGREDIENT.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)!!!

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The Bottom Line

The internet is flooded with questions like “Can dogs take Benadryl?” or “Is it ok to give dogs Benadryl?”

In one simple line – yes, it is safe to give your dog some Benadryl, but only when you are being extra careful about it. Benadryl is great for reducing allergy symptoms, but every dog has a different physic, so it is better to get them checked by a vet first before making any rash decision. Once you get the seal of approval, you are good to help your little fur baby with the right amount of medication that they need.

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