What happens if Benadryl doesn t help hives on dogs

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.

What to Do When Antihistamines Arent Working for Hives

Antihistamines may not work for some people, depending on the severity of their hives. You may need an increased dosage or a different medication altogether.

After a chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) diagnosis, your doctor will likely prescribe an oral antihistamine to treat your symptoms. However, antihistamines arent always effective.

If youve already tried an antihistamine and you arent seeing results, schedule an appointment with your doctor to learn about possible next steps.

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor at your follow-up appointment and some information about what you might hear in response.

Its hard to say why antihistamines work for some people and not for others. But its not uncommon for antihistamines to be or become ineffective.

Research on the effectiveness of antihistamines for chronic hives has shown a response rate as low as 43%. It took a secondary treatment with additional medications to bring 28% of the subjects into remission.

Antihistamines may stop working because hives can become worse over time or because the intensity of hives can wax and wane over time.

Its also possible that antihistamines become less effective because people arent taking them as prescribed.

Even if you cant identify the cause of your CIU, you may be able to pinpoint triggers that bring on outbreaks or increase the severity of your hives.

See whether any of the following common triggers seem to affect you:

• pets or pet dander
• exposure to extreme heat or cold
• exposure to direct sunlight
• vigorous exercise
• pressure on the skin
• stress or anxiety
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (like ibuprofen)

By understanding your personal triggers, you can put yourself in a better position to avoid them.

After seeing little to no results from an antihistamine, your doctor may suggest that you try the following treatments, usually in the following order:

• Higher dose: Sometimes increasing the dose of your current antihistamine can yield better results.
• A different antihistamine or a combination of several different antihistamines. Your doctor may consider switching you to a different antihistamine or putting you on a regimen of two types of antihistamines. For example, they may recommend an H1-antihistamine combined with an H2-antihistamine, which targets different receptors in the body.
• Oral corticosteroids. While doctors usually dont recommend prolonged use of steroids due to potential side effects, they may recommend a short course. This is especially likely if your hives are severe or if theyre accompanied by swelling.
• Cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune): This is an immunosuppressant drug that has led to remission from hives in 50% of cases, according to research.
• Omalizumab (Xolair). Your doctor may recommend omalizumab, a medication thats injected once a month if your hives are difficult to treat, but is effective in 80% of cases.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs): Two drugs, zafirlukast (Accolate) and montelukast, might be prescribed in cases of hives caused by Aspirin, and there isnt enough data on their effectiveness on hives overall.

If your medication isnt giving you the relief you need, you can try the following methods to ease itching:

• Moisturize regularly with lotion.
• Use cool water when you shower.
• Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to affected areas.
• Try using over-the-counter creams such as calamine lotion.
• Wear loose clothing made from 100% cotton or 100% silk.

While none of the above methods will treat your CIU, they can at least provide comfort during a flare-up.

Dietary changes to help prevent hives

Researchers are still studying whether changing your diet can impact the severity and duration of CIU flare-ups.

A 2018 preliminary Korean study suggests that an antihistamine diet, where you avoid foods that contain high levels of histamine, may help reduce the severity on an individual level.

Since this and other similar studies only involved a small group of participants, researchers arent ready to draw wide conclusions about the diets success rate.

Even so, it may be worth talking with your doctor to see whether changing your diet is a good option.

No. Hives are never contagious, so you dont need to worry about spreading them to friends, family members, or others who are in close contact.

You also dont have to worry about the hives spreading if you touch other parts of your body after touching your hives.

If youre concerned about what other people will think when they see the welts on your skin, you can ask your doctor to provide a note explaining the nature of CIU and its symptoms. This can be especially useful for school-aged children.

No. While it may be frustrating to learn that antihistamines arent effective at treating your hives, you dont need to worry that they will leave any permanent marks or scars.

Most hives last for no longer than 24 hours and should fade and disappear after that.

While most cases of CIU arent dangerous, there are several warning signs that you should be aware of. Sudden and severe hives can mean youre experiencing an allergic reaction and need urgent medical attention.

If you experience any of the symptoms of anaphylaxis alongside a hives outbreak, call 911 or go to the emergency room:

By definition, chronic means that your hives will last for 6 weeks or more. But theres no way to say for sure exactly how long a specific outbreak episode will last. It could be months or even years.

Each individual welt will probably last for several hours, but theyre often quickly replaced by new ones.

The good news is that CIU can go away, its just hard to predict when.

Should I see an allergist?

If youve already been diagnosed with CIU, your doctor believes the cause is unknown and an allergy isnt to blame. But if you suspect that your doctor overlooked an underlying allergy, you may want to consider seeing an allergist.

What happens if hives dont go away with Benadryl?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is an over-the-counter antihistamine that can be used to treat mild allergic reactions, including hives. It is an H1 antihistamine, which means it is one of the ones your doctor may want you to try first. It is also available in higher doses as a prescription if the OTC version doesnt work for you. If its still ineffective, your doctor will likely switch you to H2 antihistamines, other medications, or a combination of drugs.

Why is Benadryl not stopping my allergic reaction?

If there is an ongoing trigger for your hives in your environment, you might continue to develop them or they may worsen even if youre taking an antihistamine like Benadryl. In addition to taking medication, its important to try to identify the trigger and eliminate it. To do this, make an appointment with a dermatologist or allergist for testing, and track your flare-ups. That said, sometimes there is no identifiable cause. Make sure you are taking your medication exactly as prescribed or following the directions on the box of any OTC drug.

If antihistamines dont work for you, dont become discouraged. This happens for certain people and under certain circumstances.

Ask your doctor about possible next steps. Whether that involves a different form of medication or introducing some natural steps to reduce itching, you have options to decrease CIU-related discomfort.