Can I give my dog Benadryl?

It’s incredibly common for dogs to have allergies, leaving pet owners looking for a solution with the least potential side effects. The good news is the same Benadryl that’s in your medicine cabinet can work wonders for canines too.

Although it’s not yet been approved by the FDA for use in animals, it’s fairly common for veterinarians to suggest giving your dog a dose of over-the-counter medication like Benadryl to counteract the symptoms of seasonal allergies, environmental allergies, food allergies, integumentary diseases (skin-related conditions), and one-off allergic or histamine reactions.

Although there are factors like pre-existing conditions and breed type that may come into play (consult with your vet), the  suggested dosage is typically 1-2 mg of Benadryl Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source for every pound of body weight. You can start by giving your dog the lowest dosage up to twice daily, working up to the normal dose as you see that your dog can tolerate it.

So, if you have a 25-pound dog, start with the low-end dose of 25 mg and observe the results. If you don’t see an obvious difference in the next 30 to 60 minutes, try the high-end dose of 50 mg at the next interval. The recommended dosage may vary depending on a range of other factors, including your dog’s age and any other previous health conditions they may have.

Give your dog the Benadryl tablets, not liquid Benadryl caplets. Benadryl comes in 25 mg tablets, which makes it easier to get closer to the exact dosage you need when preparing them for your pet, as opposed to the liquid caps. Plus, they’re easier to break in half for smaller dogs.

Like mentioned above, it’s recommended to give your dog 1-2 mg of Benadryl per pound of body weight Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source (or 2-4 mg per kilogram). This amount can generally be given two to three times per day, depending on any medical conditions your dog might have.

We do want to note that not all Benadryl products are created equal. Time-release capsules may not give the correct dosage to your dog at any given time and can cause overdoses. Additionally, liquid Benadryl can be formulated with sodium or alcohol, which can cause other problems for your pet.

With this in mind, many pet parents choose diphenhydramine in liquid form, capsule form, or “chew” form if the pet has difficulty with medication delivery methods. Children’s Benadryl tablets might also be effective and can be given at the discretion of your vet.

The reasons you’d consider giving your dog a dose of Benadryl are similar to the reasons you’d give it to a person:

• Symptoms of allergies (sneezing, redness of eyes, watery eyes, itching)
• Reaction to an insect bite or bee sting (facial swelling, difficulty breathing)
• Skin allergies (redness, itchy skin, inflammation, hives)

Since Benadryl is an antihistamine, it works by blocking the naturally occurring histamines in your dog’s body and some of the symptoms it causes. (Benadryl is the brand name for diphenhydramine HCl, which is the active ingredient.)

Keep in mind that when taken by mouth, it takes about 15 to 30 minutes to begin working. If your dog is experiencing some extreme sneezing or itching, it will take a bit of time before they’ll get relief. Don’t rush to give your dog a larger dose until sufficient time has passed for the Benadryl to start working. If you notice that your dog is having difficulty breathing or worsens, please go to the vet for further care.

As with any other drug, there can be side effects. Benadryl can have side effects in humans, not just dogs, so before giving your pup a dose, consider what some of the negative effects can be:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth

These are signs that Benadryl is probably not the best solution for your dog. Additionally, make sure to check with your vet before giving your dog any Benadryl if they have pre-existing conditions like:

• Glaucoma
• Heart failure
• Lung disease
• Prostatic hypertrophy Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source

Benadryl can cause adverse reactions in dogs that have these conditions and those that are similar. One final thing to note is that if your dog is pregnant, it’s unlikely your veterinarian will give you the go-ahead to give them Benadryl at all.

If your dog struggles with allergy-related conditions like atopic dermatitis, consider a few of these OTC alternatives that can help make a small dent in your dog’s symptoms.

• Quercetin —  Quercetin is a flavonol found in many fruits and vegetables that has positive anti-inflammatory qualities. Foods like kale, spinach, blueberries, and strawberries are all rich in quercetin and safe to feed your dog.
• Turmeric — The anti-inflammatory qualities of turmeric are well-documented in humans, but they’re just as real with dogs, too. The best part is that it’s more common than ever now to find special pet treats specifically made with turmeric (no need to get messy with turmeric powders).
• Baking soda — Funny enough, you can use a basic paste of baking soda and water to treat a red, itchy spot of skin on your dog. Leave the paste on for a few hours before washing it clean, and do your best to keep it covered to prevent licking.