Benadryl For Dogs: Uses, Dosage, Do’s and Don’ts and Side Effects

Veterinarians prescribe Benadryl to dogs who need treatment for diseases such as allergies and motion sickness. It’s a good cure for mild to moderate allergies for those of you who don’t know what Benadryl is. The diagnosis of itchiness in pooches caused by allergies is also commonly prescribed by vets. Additionally, it is also used to reduce other allergy symptoms such as hives, sneezing, swelling, vomiting, irritation, and itching.

What else should you know about Benadryl for dogs? 

· Benadryl is the brand name for the active ingredient diphenhydramine HCI. 

· Diphenhydramine is the most active ingredient in Benadryl.

· Diphenhydramine decreases the effects of the chemical histamine found within the pooch’s system. 

· Benadryl is commonly used to ease allergies. 

What are the several other uses of Benadryl for dogs?

Experienced dog owners may be familiar with the possibility of using this medicine in other diseases. In other words, it’s not just for skin allergies, but also anxiety, hives and motion sickness.

· Anxiety – vets prescribe Benadryl to help your pooch from easing the symptoms of anxiety. Adding on, it is also used to calm down anxious dogs. 

· Hives – Benadryl can also be used to treat hives. It is common among dog owners as it is also regarded as an effective medicine that is used to treat hives in humans. This medicine provides both humans and dogs with immediate relief. Although it is a common drug, it is not prescribed and used to treat or cure long-term diseases.

Once you’ve found hives in your dog, don’t panic! No need to feel too stressed about it as there are plenty of ways to treat this problem and it can be fixed without any problems. It’s best to arrange a vet check-up aside letting your pooch take Benadryl, so you’ll know what the other options to treat it are.

· Motion sickness – Benadryl is recommended by veterinarians for dogs that often travel with their owners. It is prescribed as it can help ease dizziness. 

What else? 

Benadryl can use as medicine for the following:

1. Vets prescribe Benadryl to dogs suffering from mast cell tumors. Why? Because it eases the symptoms of the illness. 

2. Vets usually prescribe Benadryl to dogs that have heartworm. Treatment for heartworm includes killing adult heartworms. The death of these adult heartworms can cause an allergic reaction. To treat this reaction, the vet prescribes Benadryl. 

Is Benadryl dangerous for dogs? 

Benadryl is safe for dogs. However, consulting your vet is the best way to know if your dog can take the medicine. 

Many first-time dog owners are afraid to buy medication for their pooches because they feel it could exacerbate the condition of their dog. That’s why it’s best to arrange a check with your vet. However, dog owners can trust Benadryl to provide a temporary remedy for urgent situations. You can have faith in this medication. Benadryl has already been proven to be a truly effective treatment not only for humans but also for animals.

During the allergy season, many dog owners prefer to buy over-the-counter medicines like Benadryl as it is very helpful in alleviating their symptoms. If you are one of these owners of pets, take note that whenever you choose to buy medicine over the counter, you should always be careful. For Benadryl, it is better to check the dose and how to use it with your physicians.

Who can take Benadryl?

If you’re nursing a pup, it’s advisable to consult your vet. Note that puppies are more susceptible to a more severe allergy or disease. Also, when giving medicines to elderly dogs and pooches with chronic disease, you should be careful.

Meanwhile, nursing dogs and pregnant dogs should not use Benadryl. The medicine could be passed through their milk to the newborn puppies, which could be harmful to newborn pups.

Ways to take Benadryl

Benadryl is available as:

1. Oral medicine

2. Injection

3. Topical solution

What is the right dosage for Benadryl for dogs?

· The standard dosage of Benadryl for dogs is 1 mg for every one pound (weight). It should be taken two times a day.

Note: Do not forget to pay further attention to the drug tag. Never overlook this section. The dosage of each product is not always the same, so better check the dosage that can be found on the package before buying.

What most dog owners advise is: Most dog owners prefer the pill type of Benadryl because the liquid form of the medicine has alcohol in it, which is lethal for pooches.

On the other hand, it is advisable to use children’s formula of liquid of Benadryl if you own a small pooch. It is easier to measure, and it contains no alcohol at all.

Aside from the pill and the liquid types of Benadryl, pet owners also like buying the topical form of medicine. The ointment can ease the itching symptom of allergy. 

Remember: Do not give Benadryl to a dog that has an empty stomach as it could upset their tummy.

How often should you give the medicine to your dog?

Benadryl is usually given every 8-12 hours a day for dogs. Take note that giving the medicine too often is not good. Why? It may lead to poisoning, and the medicine may begin to lose potency if used too much as your pooch’s body is resistant to it.

In the meantime, while Benadryl is a drug, dogs may still be allergic to it. So, better observe the behavior and the body of your dog. If symptoms persist and/or irritation occurs, stop using it and schedule a checkup with your veterinarian. Note the allergy may also be life-threatening if not treated properly and may make life miserable for your pet.

What are the side effects of Benadryl?

Expect that you may see the side effects of the medicine right after they ate it when your dog took Benadryl. Dry mouth, urinary retention, drowsiness, and slowness are the typical effects of taking medicine. Add to that, although this is less likely, there is still a risk that your pooch may also experience these side effects, particularly if they are too responsive and picky: loss of appetite, vomiting, heartbeat rate, diarrhea, and/or breathing problems.

What not to do: It is advisable not to combine other medication to Benadryl as it could cause serious and harmful side effects. Better inform and consult your veterinarian about it. 

Who should not take Benadryl?

Do not give Benadryl to dogs that have severe health conditions like heart or lung disease, high blood pressure, bladder problem, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, etc. Giving Benadryl to dogs that had bad reactions to medicine is also not advisable.

What you should do if your dog cannot take Benadryl? 

If you want to stop the side effects or if your pooch is unable to take medicine, you can talk to your doctor so he can give you some prescription you can get for your dog. Speaking to your vet is always recommended because they know the best for your dog. You can also inquire about the medicine’s side effects they are going to prescribe to you. In the meantime, if you want to treat your dog naturally with natural medicines, ask your veterinarian so that he can help you.

Benadryl for dogs: do’s and don’ts

There are several things that dog owners can follow when your dog needs to take Benadryl. 

There are several things that dog owners can follow when your dog needs to take Benadryl. 

Do’s

· If this is your first time giving your dog Benadryl, then you might want to test it out first. Just as is usually done by humans to prevent allergy, it is also best to do some screening first. Give your dog a small amount of Benadryl first to see how he will respond to it before eventually depending on the drug. Wait a few hours, and you’re going to see the impact.

· If your dog is a stubborn one and picky, then you might have a hard time giving him a pill of Benadryl. What you can do is break it up into pieces. If your vet approves, you can also put it in their food so he will not notice it. Just be mindful of the side effects.

· Although most pet owners prefer the pill type, some vet prescribes the liquid form. If you have been given the liquid type of Benadryl, then you might want to mix it up with their wet food for easy intake. If you do this, you will not have a problem with giving them medicine. 

Don’ts

· While Benadryl can be purchased at the counter, it may be dangerous to give your dog medication without consulting your vet, especially if you plan to give it to puppies. So, first talk with your vet before you buy any medication. 

· Do not overdo it. Give the right dosage to your dog, or else you will end up overdosing your pet. 

· Do not just buy a medication that has good reviews. Make sure to talk to your vet and read the label of the medicine that you want to buy. 

Conclusion

Giving Benadryl to your dog is helpful as it could ease the symptoms of the illness that they have. However, although many pet owners commonly use this, you should keep in mind that it is better to consult your doctor first. 

Be conscious first of the drug before you give it to your dog to avoid serious complications. Being informed of the medications your dog will take or is taking is your duty as a dog owner–never feel complacent even though it is a common drug and has good reviews.