Caring For Your Canine: How Often Can You Give A Dog Benadryl?

Dogs, along with cats, are the most adored pets on earth.

Dogs are considered by many to be a human's best friend. People usually adopt dogs and cats to keep them company.

There are many different species of dogs such as the German Shepherd, Bulldog, Poodle, Boxer, and Siberian Husky. Each kind of dog comes in different sizes and with slightly different features. Yet, all of them are extremely cute and lovable. Dogs are said to be descendants from wolves. They fall under the category of domesticated animals. These cuddly animals actually have sharp teeth and are carnivores in nature. Although over the years, many breeds have adapted and become omnivorous. The average life expectancy of a dog is 10-13 years.

Studies have proved that dogs have a positive influence on the social and emotional wellbeing of an individual. Moreover, dogs also affect children's cognitive development and promote activeness and good social behavior. Some of the studies have also found that dogs can sense particular cancer types and approaching epileptic seizures.

With so many qualities, a dog is a really good choice as a children's pet. Like other animals, dogs need care and love too. Since animals cannot speak like humans, people with pets like dogs have to be attentive to the changes in behavior in order to understand if their pet is ill and suffering. If so, it is necessary to get the pet dog treated by veterinarians.

Once you have finished reading this fun facts article, you might also be interested in discovering can dogs have salt, and can you give a dog Tylenol here on Kidadl?

How much Benadryl can you give a dog?

The most popular brand name of the drug diphenhydramine is called Benadryl. This is an antihistamine drug commonly administered at home to cure mild allergies and other such illnesses. The question that many owners ask is if humans can take Benadryl, is Benadryl safe for dogs too?

Since Benadryl is an antihistamine, it attacks by blocking the histamine in the body. Histamine is a chemical, and it is produced naturally by the body during an allergic reaction. Dogs, like humans, can suffer from allergic reactions too. Unlike a human who can sense the allergic reaction by the changes they see on their body and get medical help, dogs do not have the same privilege.

People who have dogs must pay close attention to any abnormal behavior, skin irritation, or inflammation, and any other signs that display that the dog is suffering from an allergic reaction or any other disease. Benadryl is an antihistamine drug that can also be given to dogs.

What is the correct Benadryl dosage for dogs? Is it the same as the Benadryl dosage for humans? Like most other medications meant for animals, the dosage of Benadryl for dogs depends on the body weight of the dog. Guidelines state that the standard oral dosage of Benadryl for dogs should be 1 mg/lb (2-3 mg/kg) of the bodyweight of the dog. Meaning, if your dog weighs 25 lb (11.3 kg), it should be safe to give it a standard 25 mg tablet of Benadryl.

Moreover, small dogs should be given liquid Benadryl, which is the children's formula of Benadryl instead of the tablet.

How often can you give a dog Benadryl?

Benadryl is a drug that counters histamine production in the body due to an allergy. The drug comes in both tablet and liquid form. Benadryl can also be given to pets such as dogs and cats. How often can Benadryl be given to cats and dogs?

The correct dosage of Benadryl for dogs has been mentioned earlier. The advice from experts about the frequency of Benadryl for dogs is that the drug can be given to a dog two to three times a day or as the veterinarian suggests. Benadryl is one of the medications that can commonly be taken every few hours.

Generally, this drug, be it a tablet or liquid Benadryl, can be taken with a gap of four to six hours between each dose like many other light medications.

Although Benadryl is relatively safe for dogs, there can be complications if there is a Benadryl overdose. In order to avoid an overdose of the drug, it is necessary to follow a veterinarian's instructions for the administration of Benadryl.

There are some warning signs of an overdose in dogs that owners can be aware of and look out for. These signs include dilated pupils, seizures, a rapid heartbeat, fainting, vomiting, constipation, shivering, and extreme drowsiness. If you spot any of these signs and symptoms in your dog after giving it Benadryl, immediately contact a veterinarian and seek dog treatment as soon as possible.

Can I give my dog Benadryl for itching?

Unlike the symptoms of allergic reactions in a human, the symptoms of allergic reactions in dogs are somewhat different. Your pet dog may either suffer from a seasonal allergy or food allergy. An allergic reaction can cause symptoms similar to those seen in humans, yet there are other particular symptoms and signs of allergy in dogs that owners should be aware of.

These signs and symptoms of allergic reactions in dogs include coughing or hacking, red and watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, difficulty breathing, insomnia, and itchy skin. A heavy wheezing or whistling sound when a dog exhales can also be one of the symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Still, other symptoms of allergic reactions in dogs can consist of hives. Hives are red welts on the skin that cause swelling and skin inflammation. Along with the swelling, these red patches also become very itchy. This itchy disease is caused by certain food products that dogs may eat. Therefore, the owners of pet dogs should provide their pets with healthy and organic food.

Although these symptoms of allergic reactions can also indicate other serious diseases, veterinarians generally administer a dose of Benadryl for dogs when they see these symptoms. The owner of a pet dog can also give Benadryl if they see their dog itching but only when a veterinarian has either been consulted over a call, if the doctor has previously cleared the medicine to be OK for the dog, or if it is a situation where a vet cannot be contacted.

Will Benadryl make my dog sleepy?

There are many common side effects of Benadryl, which can also be seen in dogs. These side effects can also include drowsiness. Other side effects of Benadryl in dogs are discussed below.

The side effects of Benadryl can be dry mouth and tongue, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing. Benadryl can also induce the side effects of heightened urinary abnormalities, disruptions of normal appetite, and thirst. Dogs can also suffer from vomiting and diarrhea as side effects of Benadryl.

This antihistamine medicine, whether in tablets or in liquid form, can also affect the central nervous system and the receptors present there, which can, in turn, cause drowsiness, and slight temporary motor impairment. In case of an emergency where the side effects of Benadryl do not pass and instead build up more, then the dog should be taken to the hospital immediately and receive proper treatment.

Although these side effects are mild, owners have to monitor them in case they advance to more severe issues such as dilated pupils and difficulty breathing. If such a scenario takes place, the dog should immediately be taken to a hospital for treatment.

Benadryl for dogs is a good choice as one of its side effects of drowsiness can help to relieve other illnesses or health-related issues with the dog. For instance, Benadryl can counter anxiety symptoms in dogs by making them sleepy. This is also helpful when dogs have to board an airplane. Benadryl can relieve not only itching, allergies, and insect bites but also other health-related issues such as anxiety in dogs.

What medication can you give your dog instead of Benadryl?

The health and safety of your dog should be your top priority.

Benadryl is one of the medications that falls under the mild range. It contains the chemical that counters the natural histamine chemical produced during allergies. A healthy human might not react negatively to the other chemicals that Benadryl contains. However, it is still advised to always take proper precautions and get medical prescriptions before ingesting any kind of medical drug, be it for yourself or your pet.

Is Benadryl safe for dogs? Can you administer it to a dog in case of any emergency? These questions are posed when people are confused and hesitant to use Benadryl for various reasons. In such circumstances, it is, of course, natural to look for other alternatives.

Benadryl might be used to treat dogs and cats, but an overdose of Benadryl or other such drugs can be life-threatening for these animals. There are some natural alternatives too that can be used to cure allergy symptoms and motion sickness.

Quercetin acts as a natural alternative to Benadryl that can treat allergies, insect bites, and hives in dogs. Quercetin is a flavonoid present in the peels of food items such as some specific fruits and vegetables. It contains antioxidants, antihistamine, and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Quercetin is a healthy option for owners with elderly dogs who are afraid of their pet acquiring a kidney disease if they are given Benadryl.

Even then, be it Quercetin or Benadryl, it is better to consult a veterinarian first before giving your dog any medication.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked reading how often can you give a dog Benadryl, then why not take a look at are daylilies poisonous to dogs or Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepard facts?