What can I give my dog if Benadryl doesn t work

Benadryl Dosage For Dogs: Safe Guidelines & Dosage Charts

Benadryl (diphenhydramine HCI) is one of the very few human over-the-counter medications that are generally considered safe for dogs and that veterinarians often recommend. Many pup owners find this antihistamine helpful in relieving mild allergic reactions, mild itchy skin, and motion sickness in their canine counterparts. The widely accepted guideline is 1mg per pound of your dogs weight.

But before you share the Benadryl in your medicine cabinet with your dog, its important to know a few details to ensure your pups safety. Well tell you which forms of Benadryl are safe to administer to your pup, give you a handy dosage chart, and answer some other questions you may have about giving this OTC medication to your furry friend.

How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?

While Benadryl is safe for most dogs, please remember that its so important to discuss giving it or any medication or supplement with your veterinarian. Your vet can make sure any non-prescribed product, like Benadryl, is safe for your dogs specific health conditions and will help give you dosing guidance.

With that said, the general dosing guide for Benadryl is pretty straightforward. Most vets and experts recommended a standard dose of roughly 1mg/pound. The standard Benadryl youll find in stores is 25mg/tablet for adult Benadryl. You can also use Childrens Liquid Benadryl, which is 12.5mg/5 ml. However, vets usually only recommend Childrens Liquid Benadryl for dogs under 10 pounds because its easier to achieve an accurate dose vs. tablets.

You can increase this dose a bit if needed, but be sure to get your vets okay. Benadryl is safe to give to dogs every eight to 12 hours (one to three times per day) in the short term. But for long-term use, its a good idea to consult your vet.

Benadryl For Dogs: Dosage By Weight

Did You Know?

When comparing Benadryl dosage levels for dogs to what adult humans can take, you may wonder why recommended doses for our canine counterparts are so high. Theres a simple reason for this. Dogs metabolize Benadryl and other antihistamines much faster than humans.

Childrens Liquid Benadryl For Dogs Dosage Chart

In general, vets usually recommend tablets for dogs over 10 pounds. However, if your dog loathes taking pills or you have trouble cutting up tablets, Childrens Liquid Benadryl is also safe for dogs of all sizes.

Types Of Benadryl To Avoid Giving Your Dog

Diphenhydraminehydrochloride is the active ingredient in American Benadryl (found in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, Taiwan, Italy, and Hong Kong). However, in the U.K. and Denmark, the active ingredients areacrivastinein Benadryl Allergy Relief andcetirizinein Benadryl Once a Day. Limited information exists on acrivastine and cetirizine use in dogs, soif youre in Europe, make sure the active ingredient is diphenhydramine, the only form of Benadryl thats considered safe for dogs.

Regarding American Benadryl, you should avoid giving your pup the following forms:

• Liqui-Gels: Capsules are nearly impossible to break up to get the appropriate dose. Theyre also absorbed differently in dogs than in humans so this may cause issues with your pups dosage.
• Adult Liquid Benadryl: contains alcohol, which is toxic to dogs.
• Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion:This Benadryl formula contains phenylephrine HCl, a common decongestant in human cold medications thats not safe for dogs.
• Extra Strength: While extra strength Benadryl is safe for dogs, it comes in 50 mg/tablet, and most vet dosing guidelines are for the 25 mg/tablet standard Benadryl. So, youll have to do your own calculations. To ensure your pups safety, its best to stick with vet guidelines.

Use Benadryl Cautiously With Some Dogs

Benadryl can make some conditions worse, so you should use caution if your pup suffers from any of the following health issues. Be sure to discuss Benadryl use with your veterinarian in these cases and if theres a possibility of adverse interactions with any other medication your furry friend is taking.

• Pregnancy or nursing
• Glaucoma
• Dry eye
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Our Personal Experience With Benadryl And Dogs

Several members of our team occasionally give our pups Benadryl under our veterinarians recommendations. Weve all found it to be safe and effective.

Lily got a hornet sting on her left back leg while on a walk. It swelled up quickly. When we got home, we immediately gave her Benadryl and monitored her symptoms closely for any changes. Additionally, we applied ice for 10 minutes once an hour. While she was still limping a few hours later, this treatment combo helped reduce some of the swelling and discomfort. Thankfully, within two days, Lily was feeling significantly better.

Michelle Schenker, co-founder of Canine Journal and pet parent of two rescue dogs

Frequently Asked Questions

How Often Can I Give My Dog Benadryl?

Typically, the effects of Benadryl last in your furry friends system for six to eight hours. But most vets and experts recommend giving your pup Benadryl every eight to 12 hours to account for differences in metabolism.

How Long Does It Take For Benadryl To Kick In For Dogs?

In most cases, it only takes about 1/2 hour to one hour for Benadryl to become effective for dogs. However, this time frame may vary depending on the dose you gave your pup as well as her age, weight, and health status.

Are There Side Effects & Overdosing Concerns With Benadryl Use In Dogs?

Most dogs tolerate Benadryl extremely well, and the risk of overdose is low. Side effects and overdosing are rare, but see our ultimate guide on Benadryl use in dogs to learn more about both of these concerns, as well as more detailed information about how Benadryl can help your pup.

Is Benadryl Effective For Dog Anxiety?

The sedative effects of Benadryl may help some dogs with situational anxiety, such as for fireworks, thunderstorms, or car rides. However, Benadryl can cause hyperactivity rather than sedation in some dogs. So many experts believe you have better options for anxiety relief for your furry friend. Alternatives to Benadryl include CBD oil, dog-specific calming supplements, or prescription medications for chronic anxiety.

Can I Use Childrens Chewable Tablets For My Dog?

Yes, Childrens Chewable Benadryl tablets are safe for dogs. Theyre ideal for smaller dogs. A full chewable childrens tablet contains 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine, so you can cut one in half for dogs weighing less than 10 pounds as an easy alternative to Childrens Liquid Benadryl.

Alternatives To Benadryl In Treating Chronic Allergy Symptoms

One of the most popular uses of Benadryl in dogs is to treat allergic reactions. This application can be extremely effective for temporary or short-term allergy symptoms, such as reactions to an insect bite or bee sting or mild seasonal allergies from pollen. However, Benadryl isnt your best line of defense if your pup suffers from long-term allergy problems.

If youve noticed that your pup is incessantly scratching her skin no matter what time of year, she could have a food intolerance or allergies to household environmental factors, such as dust mites or mold. For chronic allergic symptoms, which can include itchy, irritated skin and/or digestive issues, you may want to consider dog allergy supplements,daily medications, or monthly injections.

However, for chronic allergy symptoms, we recommend first consulting your veterinarian. Alternatively, you can give your pup anat-home dog allergy test kit. Thesekits test forintolerances to many food and environmental factors.Then, you can share these results with your vet to work on further diagnostics and a treatment plan.

Can Benadryl Help With Dog Anxiety?

While some sources of dog stress are chronic in nature, such as separation anxiety, many are temporary and situational. Thunderstorms, fireworks, and even holiday gatherings can be stressful for dogs.

For these short-lived events, what can a pet parent do to help their anxious dog?

With good intentions, pet parents may rummage through their own medicine cabinets for potential solutions. Perhaps you have done so yourself and youve wondered if Benadryl can calm dogs. If so, you are not alone.

But is Benadryl safe for dogs? Can Benadryl ease a dogs anxiety? These are questions I often hear as a veterinarian.

The answer isnt a simple yes or noits a little more complicated than that. Heres what you need to know about using Benadryl for dogs and what you need to be careful of.

Can You Use Benadryl to Calm Dogs?

Benadryl is sometimes referred to by healthcare professionals by its generic name, diphenhydramine.

Its an antihistamine, meaning that it acts to stop or prevent allergic reactions. For this reason, Benadryl is often used for the treatment of environmental allergies and allergic reactions to insect bites and bee stings.

Benadryl is also used to decrease the severity of or prevent vaccine reactions. Occasionally, Benadryl is helpful for mild motion sickness, though it is infrequently effective for this purpose.

But what about using Benadryl for dog anxiety? You may have heard that Benadryl can be used as a sedative to calm your dog while traveling or during fireworks or thunderstorms.

Its true that Benadryl may alleviate symptoms for some dogs, but the sedative effects are mild and not nearly as pronounced in dogs as they are in people.

So overall, Benadryl is not commonly helpful for dogs struggling with anxiety or phobias.

Alternatives for Treating Dog Anxiety

If Benadryls not the answer for dog anxiety, what can you do? Work with your veterinarian to determine ways to decrease your dogs anxiety depending upon the trigger. Here are a few helpful options that they might suggest to ease your dogs stress.

Dog-Appeasing Pheromones

One OTC option that some dog owners have great success with is DAP (dog-appeasing pheromone).

These synthetic pheromones may induce relaxation and help modify your dogs behaviors. They are available in many forms, including sprays, plug-in diffusers, and even collars, a personal favorite of mine.

Dog Anxiety Vests and Head Halters

Dog anxiety vests, mats that reduce static (for thunderstorm phobias), and head halters may help to calm your dog further.

Noise Machines and Music

For noise-induced anxiety, try to provide background sounds from the radio or television.

Music with a lot of constant drumbeats, such as rap, usually helps. Dont turn the music up loud; instead provide a constant distracting rhythm to focus your dogs attention on the music instead of the triggering noise.

Using white noise apps can help alleviate noise-induced phobias as well.

Prescription Medications

Prescription medications can be very helpful in the majority of dogs struggling with fearful or anxious behaviors.

Maintain a Calm, Supportive Demeanor

Never punish your dog for their anxious behaviors (or in general). 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:

• Elevated heart rate

• Panting

• Trembling

• Pacing

• Loss of bladder or bowel control

• Hiding or fleeing

• Lowering their body and tucking their ears close to their head

• Opening their eyes wider than usual

• Curling their tail close to their body

• Showing defensive aggression

• Destructive behaviors, such as chewing and digging excessively

• Excessive vocalization

Remember that punishment for any behavior will only worsen anxiety in dogs. Instead, help to calm your dog and always reward them when they respond positively to things that usually cause anxiety.

In general, a dogs anxiety will be lessened when their owner is calm, patient, and in control.

Featured Image: iStock.com/Tetiana Garkusha

Benadryl for dogs: Vets guide to dosage, uses and side effects

If your pooch suffers from bad allergies, you may be wondering could Benadryl for dogs be helpful in easing their symptoms?

Used commonly in both human and veterinary medicine, in dogs, Benadryl can be given for a variety of reasons; from mild allergies to certain tumors to life-threatening allergic reactions (in which case, it helps to have pet insurance on hand).

Benadryl has only been approved by the FDA for human use, however, so it is important to make several considerations before giving it to your dog. Read on to learn more about this medication, its uses in dogs, and the risks associated with it.

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl is an antihistamine that contains diphenhydramine as its active ingredient. Antihistamines block histamine receptors in the body to alleviate allergy symptoms such as itchiness, sneezing, and rashes. Benadryl comes in several forms, including tablets, capsules, oral liquids, and injections.

Because dogs metabolize drugs differently than humans, you should always consult with your vet before giving your dog Benadryl or other human medications, such as Pepto Bismol.

What is Benadryl used for in dogs?

Benadryl is used commonly in dogs for several reasons, including:

Mild to moderate environmental allergies

Benadryl can sometimes help with symptoms of environmental or seasonal allergies, including itchy red skin, hives, and sneezing.

Many dogs with skin allergies require stronger prescription medications that regulate or suppress the immune system to control their symptoms. Some may also need antibiotics like Clavamox if they have secondary bacterial skin infections.

Allergic reactions

Acute allergic reactions to insect bites or stings, plants, pollen, or other allergens can be treated with Benadryl in dogs.

Dogs experiencing severe reactions with symptoms of life-threatening anaphylaxis (i.e. facial swelling, difficulty breathing, itchiness, rash) usually require additional treatment and should be taken to a vet immediately.

Motion sickness

Benadryl can prevent nausea and vomiting in dogs with motion sickness if it is given one hour before travel.

Mild sedation

Benadryl can cause drowsiness in both dogs and humans, so it is sometimes used as a mild sedative.

Pre-treatment before vaccination

Vets often recommend that Benadryl is given for two or three days before and after vaccination in dogs who have had previous vaccine reactions.

Mast cell tumors

Mast cell tumors release histamine into the body, so vets often prescribe Benadryl to dogs with these tumors to prevent symptoms.

Some 'allergy' symptoms can be due to more serious underlying health conditions. In addition, some medications can influence the effectiveness of Benadryl. You should always consult with your veterinarian before giving Benadryl to ensure that it is safe for your dog.

What is the recommended dose of Benadryl for dogs?

According to MSD Veterinary Manual, the recommended dose of Benadryl for dogs is 2-4mg/kg (or 0.9-1.8mg/lb) given two or three times per day.

Since Benadryl is given off-label in veterinary medicine and because underlying diseases and other medications can affect the optimal dosage, the human guidelines should not be followed and dogs should be given the dose recommended by their vet.

The form of Benadryl should also be considered when determining the dose. Childrens Benadryl is considered safer than adult Benadryl, especially in small dogs, because the dose can be adjusted more carefully. Time-release capsules should be avoided because they may break down quicker in a dogs stomach, increasing the risk of overdose.

Additionally, liquid medications are absorbed differently than pills, so a different dose may be required. The ingredients list should be examined carefully to ensure that the only active ingredient is diphenhydramine, as some formulations contain alcohol or decongestants that can be toxic to dogs.

Side effects of Benadryl in dogs

Benadryl usage comes with several possible side effects, including:

As with all medications, dogs can be allergic to Benadryl and show symptoms such as skin rash, hives, itchiness, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. If a dog is showing any of these signs, veterinary attention should be sought as soon as possible.

Although Benadryl is considered quite safe in dogs, overdose can occur. Signs of overdose typically appear in the first hour after Benadryl is given and include:

• Hyperactivity or severe lethargy
• Aggression or agitation
• Hypersalivation
• Rapid heart rate and respirations
• Difficulty breathing
• Seizures

Benadryl overdose can be life-threatening, so dogs showing any of these symptoms should be taken to a vet immediately.

How long will Benadryl make my dog sleepy?

Benadryl typically starts taking effect one or two hours after it is given in dogs, and its effects, including sleepiness, can last up to 24 hours. Several factors can influence this, however, such as age, dose, and underlying medical conditions. For example, the effects of Benadryl may last longer in dogs with liver or kidney disease.

Is it OK to give a dog Benadryl for anxiety?

Although some recommend Benadryl for anxiety related to travel or loud noises due to its mild sedative effect, it does not treat the root cause of anxiety.

In some pets, it may even worsen anxiety symptoms. For this reason, the underlying cause of anxiety should be targeted with behavior modification and environmental changes, which may require assistance from a veterinary behaviorist in some cases.

Considerations before giving Benadryl to dogs

Many factors can influence whether a dog will benefit from Benadryl:

Other medications

Some medications and supplements can interact with Benadryl, affecting one or both drugs efficacies.

These include anticholinergic drugs, anticoagulants, tricyclic antidepressants, sedatives, and some pain medications. For example, gabapentin has mild sedative effects that can worsen the drowsiness associated with Benadryl.

Other health conditions

Benadryl should be given with caution in dogs with certain health conditions as well, including heart disease, glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and seizures.

It should also be avoided in young puppies and dogs who are pregnant or lactating unless specifically recommended by a vet. It should not be given to dogs with known allergies to Benadryl or other antihistamines.

Summary

It is important to consult with a veterinarian before giving your dog Benadryl so that they can obtain a full medical history and perform a thorough physical examination with relevant diagnostic tests to determine that it will be safe and effective.