Precautions When Using Benadryl
When using Benadryl, keep these precautions in mind:
- “Benadryl is available over the counter for pet parents to purchase but should only be done under the direction of a veterinarian,” Price says. Your vet can determine the best starting dose and check if Benadryl has a negative interaction with any other medications your dog takes.
- If you’re purchasing Benadryl over the counter, “you want to make sure it’s Benadryl that is only diphenhydramine, no other ingredients added in,” Lee says. Watch out for ingredients like acetaminophen or decongestants that may not be safe for dogs.
- Always check the box to make sure the Benadryl isn’t expired, as expired medication can be unsafe for your dog, Price says.
Benadryl And Other Allergy Medications For Dogs
Allergies are frustrating! There is nothing more miserable than watching your furry friend lick incessantly at their paws or scratch themselves raw. Canine allergies are one of the most common medical conditions seen in dogs. While allergies can be bothersome, there may be some potential solutions to helping your pup finally get the rest he or she deserves.
Many effective allergy treatments currently exist for dogs. From over-the-counter Benadryl for dogs to dog allergy supplements and prescription veterinary medications, there are numerous options for treating allergies in dogs.
Remember that prior to starting a new medication, it is always important to consult with your veterinarian. This complete guide will review Benadryl and other allergy treatments for dogs.
Can Dogs Take Liquid Benadryl
Benadryl often alleviates the allergy symptoms of seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and even allergy symptoms to snake and bug or insect bites.
When prescribed in the correct dosage, Benadryl can help settle agitated dogs. The medication also helps alleviate and relieve motion sickness.
Veterinarians also give Benadryl to dogs with mast cell tumors to reduce the consequences of mast cell degranulation-induced histamine production.
And Benadryl is a great item to keep in your first-aid kit in case your dog has a severe allergic reaction. The medication helps ease itchy skin, usually caused by allergies.
If you give your dog liquid Benadryl, avoid the adult formula because it often contains alcohol, which is toxic for dogs.
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How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog
The amount of Benadryl that you can safely give to your dog will be impacted based on your dogs weight, the symptoms they are suffering from, and their current health condition. Many veterinarians will recommend following the guideline to only give your dog roughly 1 milligram of Benadryl per pound of weight of your dog. This number is just a guideline and you should always speak with your veterinarian before you begin giving your dog Benadryl or other kinds of medicine. Your veterinarian will have a better understanding of your dogs current health and how Diphendydramine or other antihistamine or allergy relief medicine will impact your dog.
Can You Use Benadryl For Dogs
Benadryl wins the award for being the human medication that my veterinary clients most commonly ask me about administering to their dogs.
I find myself frequently answering my clients questions about Benadryl use for allergies, anxiety, travel, and other doggie dilemmas.
The good news is that Benadryl is safe for dogs. Unlike many other human medications that have potential for causing serious harm, oral Benadryl has a wide margin of safety.
But before you grab for the Benadryl, always check the label to make sure it doesnt contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener that is dangerous for dogs. Also, Benadryl may be contraindicated in dogs with certain health conditions. Well get to more on both of these caveats at the end of this article.
Despite the fact that over-the-counter Benadryl is not FDA approved for veterinary use, its safe and helpful for treating several conditions in dogs including the condition the dog is presenting in photo below.
What do you think is going on with the dog in this picture?
If you guessed anaphylactic allergic reaction, you are correct! These types of reactions can occur due to anything from vaccinations to insect bites or stings.
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Dosage Of Benadryl For Dogs
The best way to determine the correct Benadryl dosage for dogs is to consult your veterinarian. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends administering 2-4 milligrams of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight, two to three times a day. However, this dosage can vary depending on your dogs medical conditions.
Dr. Jerry Klein, AKC chief veterinary officer, warns that you should always consult with a veterinarian before giving Benadryl to a puppy because young puppies can be very sensitive to certain medications. The drug is also not recommended for pregnant or nursing dogs
Never use time-release capsules for dogs, as capsules are absorbed differently in dogs than in humans and may affect your dogs dosage. They may also break open when chewed and deliver too much medication at one time, putting your dog at risk of an overdose.
Its best to avoid using liquid Benadryl if it contains sodium, which can cause other side effects. Also avoid any form of Benadryl that contains alcohol.
Childrens Benadryl pills or tablets can be used safely if you ask your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage.
How Long Does Benadryl Take To Start Working
The amount and frequency your dog needs to take Benadryl will depend on his specific allergies, symptoms, size, and possibly even breed. Since medication is absorbed into the body at different speeds, it may take a shorter or longer amount of time than the average, which is 30 minutes, according to your pets condition. Because of the absorption rate differentiation, avoid using time release capsules.
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Other Allergy Medication For Dogs
Antihistamine medications are not the only option for dogs with allergies. As we said, dogs build up immunity to these meds, and over time, they lose their potency. There are also other options available to vets, and if they recommend them, you should probably take their advice. The other two options are corticosteroids and Apoquel.
Giving Benadryl For Dogs With Environmental Allergies
Next, lets look at the effectiveness of Benadryl for dogs with environmental allergies.
Environmental allergies are a common health problem for dogs. Remember, mast cells that trigger allergy symptoms are highly concentrated in their skin.
Unfortunately, while giving dogs Benadryl for seasonal allergies is a reasonable starting point, its not nearly as effective as other categories of drugs. Benadryl just doesnt seem as effective for dog allergies as it is in people. In other words, while Benadryl played a role in saving Coopers life after his acute allergic reaction, Benadryl is unlikely to play the role of hero for dogs with environmental allergies.
Fortunately, there are many other allergy medicines for dogs beyond Benadryl for treating environmental allergies. Hyposensitization injections and drugs like Apoquel® and Cytopoint® are just a few choices available. Since the days when I was in vet school, veterinary medicine has made great strides and we now have many safe, effective solutions available for dogs who suffer from atopy.
When it comes to environmental allergies in dogs, there is no one size fits all. This can be a challenging condition to treat, and sometimes treatment can involve a bit of trial and error to see what works for an individual dog. If your dog deals with environmental allergies, your veterinarian will work with you to come up with a plan to suit your dogs specific needs.
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When Should I Avoid Giving My Dog Benadryl
While Benadryl is good for treating occasional allergic reactions, it shouldn’t be your drug of choice if your pet has on-going food, environmental, or seasonal allergies. Because it causes drowsiness and acts as a sedative, regularly giving your pet Benadryl can decrease their quality of life. They won’t be able to enjoy their daily activities or time with their family if they’re mildly sedated.
Instead, try allergy testing to identify what’s causing your dog’s symptoms. For environmental and seasonal allergies, support your pet’s immune system with an all-natural allergy supplement for dogs, and talk to your vet about alternative antihistamines that won’t cause drowsiness.
You should also avoid giving your dog Benadryl if they’re having a serious allergic reaction that includes swelling or difficulty breathing. Instead, take your dog to your vet or the nearest 24-hour emergency vet immediately.
Benadryl Does Work For My Dog But Needs To Be A Little Stronger
It is common for Benadryl to not be enough to treat some conditions such as chronic allergies or allergic reactions. There are several antihistamines on the market and some dogs respond better to different ones. What doesnât work in one dog can work better in a different dog. Other antihistamines recommended by vets are cetirizine and Loratadine , both of which can be more effective in some dogs. See your veterinarian for recommendations based on your dogâs condition.
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Dosing Instructions For Benadryl
The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends giving your dog 0.9-1.8 mg of Benadryl per pound of weight .
If you want to try over-the-counter Benadryl, the best form is usually a tablet, which is typically 25 mg per tab, says Justine Lee, DVM, a board-certified veterinarian who specializes in toxicology and emergency care.
This means that, generally speaking, a 25-pound dog would get one pill and a 50-pound dog would get two.
If you have a very small dog, you may need to use a lower-dose liquid children’s formula to get the proper dose for their weight.
“Veterinarians can also prescribe the dog a form of Benadryl, Vetadryl, which is the FDA approved form of diphenhydramine for dogs and cats,” Price says. Though it is the same medicine and you could technically use any one, Vetadryl has some benefits like:
- A 10 mg option, which may make dosing easier
- Flavoring for dogs, which may make it more appealing to your pup
Maintain A Calm Supportive Demeanor
Never punish your dog for their anxious behaviors . This means physically or by yelling or reprimanding him for things like chewing, digging, or eliminating in the house.
Here are some anxious behaviors your dog may exhibit:
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Elevated heart rate
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Loss of bladder or bowel control
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Hiding or fleeing
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Lowering their body and tucking their ears close to their head
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Opening their eyes wider than usual
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Curling their tail close to their body
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Showing defensive aggression
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Are There Natural Antihistamines
Antihistamines can be found naturally in various foods and plants. For example, stinging nettles have an antihistamine effect, but dont go rubbing them on your pooch or youll make them agitated and itchy! Instead, stinging nettle will need to be taken as a tea or a herbal supplement to benefit from the antihistamine effect.
Another natural antihistamine is bromelain which can be found in pineapple or as a herbal supplement and has an antihistamine effect. You might also find a supplement called quercetin which can also be found in apple skin and works similarly. But eating some apple or pineapple wont fix your dogs itching because there isnt enough active antihistamine inside it to help them. Antihistamines as a supplement or a medication are much more effective because the antihistamine has been isolated and concentrated.
Although it isnt an antihistamine, omega-3 works wonders on many pups with allergies and its perfectly safe to use, even if your dog has another condition or medication. Omega-3 can be found naturally in some foods, like oily fish, but its also readily available as a safe supplement. Omega-3 doesnt have an antihistamine effect, but it does have an anti-inflammatory effect and it has a proven benefit for pups with allergies, especially when its given to them alongside antihistamines.
How Benadryl Works For Dogs
Can you give dogs Benadryl? Like humans, dogs are also prone to allergies. Antihistamines are often used to relieve the symptoms brought by these allergies. Benadryl is one of the well-known antihistamines available for humans. Over the years, it has also been used to treat allergies in dogs. But can dogs take Benadryl? And is Benadryl safe for dogs? While it has not been approved yet by FDA for veterinary use as stated by The American Kennel Club, veterinarians have already considered it safe to give Benadryl to dogs and is now commonly used in veterinary practices for several reasons.
In this article, we will talk about what Benadryl for dogs is, how Benadryl works for dogs, Benadryl dosage for dogs, potential side-effects to Benadryl in dogs, and some of the important things about giving dogs Benadryl that every pet parent should know.
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What Allergy Medicine Can I Give To My Dog
Author WDF Staff
03.02.2021.
Just like humans, dogs too can suffer from allergies. Since they are a part of our family, we immediately want to help them. Our mind directly goes to – Allergy medicine!
There are several available human allergy medications, and not all are safe for our dogs to use. Generally, reaching into our own medicine cabinet to help our dogs is not the best idea. They can use some over-the-counter medicine, but only after you consult your vet first.
These three allergy meds are usually used by humans, and they can be given to dogs under strict regulation and specific dosage – Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. They all have different active ingredients, but they are generally safe for dogs to use. We will tell you all you need to know about them, but we need to start with the basics first.
How Do I Calculate The Benadryl Dose For Dogs In Ml
To calculate the liquid Benadryl dose:
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Can You Give Dogs Antihistamines
Some types of antihistamines are safe to use in healthy, adult dogs and they can be an effective part of a treatment plan to combat canine allergies.
However, dogs dont respond to all kinds of antihistamines. Some will work, while others dont seem to do anything. This varied reaction seems to depend on the individual dog, which means you might have to try several different kinds of antihistamines to find one that works for your pooch. In addition, antihistamines just dont offer a complete fix for your poochs allergies on their own.
What Is Benadryl Used To Treat
Most veterinarians use Benadryl to treat allergic reactions in dogs.
Diphenhydramine, the antihistamine in Benadryl, works by blocking the receptors that react to histamines.
While this doesnt stop the histamines from being produced, it stops the body from registering and reacting to them.
Because of this effect, many vets use it to treat seasonal, environmental, and food allergies in dogs.
It can also be used when a reaction stems from a snake or insect bite.
Most commonly, Benadryl is prescribed to treat skin allergies, although it can also help combat other allergy symptoms such as:
- Redness and swelling
- Runny nose and eye
- Anaphylactic reaction
Along with treating allergies, one of Benadryls main side effects is drowsiness, which can be useful for calming anxiety in dogs, especially during long periods of travel.
However, before using it for this purpose, you should speak to your vet to ensure that it is okay to administer it.
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When To Use Benadryl For Dogs
You can use Benadryl when dealing with a dogs allergic reaction for symptoms management. Alternatively, you can use this medicine to prevent certain scenarios for your pup.
For example, if your dog suffers from anxiety during fireworks, giving it Benadryl before the celebration starts will prevent stress and keep your pup calm and relaxed.
If you are unsure whether your dog can benefit from regular or occasional Benadryl use, do not hesitate to talk to your trusted veterinarian.
Can I Give My Dog Claritin Every Day
The dosage of Claritin for dogs varies depending on the severity of the allergy and the weight of the dog. Claritin for dogs is safe when used according to the recommended dosage by a veterinarian. The dosage should be based on the weight and age of the dog. If your dog has had allergies in the past, Claritin can be an effective remedy for them. However, you must always consult your vet before giving your dog this medication.
Claritin is an antihistamine, which means that it blocks the histamine reactions that your dog might be experiencing. Histamines are the chemicals produced by the body to help with discomfort, and they start the removal process of allergens from your dogs body and skin. Claritin is a prescription drug. While it may be beneficial for some dogs, it can have side effects.
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Ease Your Pups Allergy Symptoms With Benadryl
Benadryl is safe for your pet and will help with their allergies or other symptoms. If you are considering Benadryl for your dog, it is vital that you make sure to give them the right dose.
If you are wary of giving your dog Benadryl, you have options. Natural alternatives to Benadryl for alleviating your dogs allergy symptoms include quercetin, CBD, and baking soda.
If you are still unsure about which method is best for you and your pet, consult your veterinarian.
