Can I Give My Dog Benadryl? How This Pink Pill Affects Our Pets – The Native Pet (2024)

Anyone whose fur baby has allergies might wonder, “Can I give my dog Benadryl?” You usually can, but here’s why it isn’t a good long-term solution.

Manyhuman medications are toxic to dogs, but Benadryl is an exception. So, if you're asking yourself, "CanI give my dog Benadryl?," the answer is generally yes. But, there's a lot more you need to know before you hand over that pink pill.

Benadryl is the most commonbrand name for allergy medications that contain theactive ingredient diphenhydramine. Not every variety of Benadryl is safe for dogs. Dogs also metabolize medicine differently from humans, so thedosing instructions on the side of the box won't work for your furry friend. Plus, Benadryl can interact with other medications and causeadverse reactions in dogs with certain pre-existing conditions.

Below, we'll give you an in-depth look at how this medication affects your best friend. But, before you give your dog Benadryl, talk to your vet to make sure it's safe for your pet's specific needs. This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for veterinary advice.

How Does Benadryl Work in Dogs?

Benadryl works the same way in dogs as it does in people — by blockinghistamine.

When your dog comes into contact with an allergen, their immune system produceshistamine, a natural compound that tries to flushallergens out of the body. If your pet hasenvironmental allergies, histamine is responsible foryour dog'ssneezing,runny nose, watery eyes, anditchy skin. If they experiencefood allergies,histamine can causehives, diarrhea, andvomiting in dogs. And during a severeallergic reaction,histamine is responsible for swelling and anaphylactic shock.

The active ingredient in Benadryl,diphenhydramine, bonds with a specific type ofhistamine receptor, known as an h1receptor. Whendiphenhydramine is bonded to thesereceptors,histamine can't bond with them and can't cause anallergic reaction.

What CanI Give My Dog Benadryl For?

The most common use for Benadryl is allergy treatment. But, this medicine is also effective against a number of conditions, including:

• Allergies: Benadryl can help treat and preventallergic reactions in dogs. It also eases thesymptoms of allergies, includingsneezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, andrunny nose.
• Insect bites: Benadryl can help ease the swelling anditchiness that often accompanyinsect bites. If your dog is having a bad reaction to mosquito bites, fire ant bites, or a bee sting, call your vet and ask if it's okay to treat them with Benadryl. If, however, your dog was stung or bitten by an unknown insect or a snake, go to your vet immediately. Your pet may be reacting to the animal's venom.
• Motion sickness: If your dog often gets sick on long car rides,Benadryl may help prevent motion sickness. Ask your vet if it's okay to give your dog this medication before your next road trip.
• Anxiety: Aspet owners, we often want to ease our pet's fear duringthunderstorms or fireworks. Benadryl has a sedative effect, which can help keep our pets calm. However, you should always talk to your vet before using Benadryl as a sedative. It may not be the most effective treatment for your pet's anxiety, and in a small percentage of dogs, it can actuallycause hyperactivity instead ofsedation.
• Side effects ofheartworm treatment: Heartworm treatment can cause a variety of uncomfortable side effects. Vets often prescribe Benadryl alongside this treatment to ease theside effects and keep your pet comfortable. If your dog is being treated forheartworm, ask your vet about using Benadryl at home.

When Should I Avoid Giving My Dog Benadryl?

While Benadryl is good for treating occasionalallergic reactions, it shouldn't be your drug of choice if your pet has on-going food, environmental, or seasonal allergies. Because it causesdrowsiness and acts as a sedative, regularly giving your pet Benadryl can decrease their quality of life. They won't be able to enjoy their daily activities or time with their family if they're mildly sedated.

Instead, tryallergy testing to identify what's causing yourdog's symptoms. For environmental andseasonal allergies, support your pet's immune system with anall-natural allergy supplement for dogs, and talk to your vet about alternativeantihistamines that won't causedrowsiness.

You should also avoid giving your dog Benadryl if they're having a seriousallergic reaction that includes swelling ordifficulty breathing. Instead, take your dog to your vet or the nearest 24-hour emergency vet immediately.

How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?

Dogs metabolize Benadryl faster than people, soBenadryl dosage for dogs is higher than it is for usdog owners. But, it's still possible to cause aBenadryl overdose if you don't give thecorrect dosage of Benadryl or the correct formulation of this medicine. Always talk to a qualified doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) before giving your dog Benadryl.

Make sure you check the other ingredients in your Benadryl before you share it with your pet. Some formulas contain decongestants, Tylenol, or alcohol, which can be toxic to dogs. The onlyactive ingredient in Benadryl for dogs should be diphenhydramine. Check the full list of ingredients to ensure the formula doesn't contain alcohol.

Never give dogs time-releasedBenadryl tablets because they can cause an overdose. And talk to your vet before giving your dogliquid Benadryl because the dosage instructions will be different.

According to theMerck Veterinary Manual, theproper dosage ofdiphenhydramine for dogs is 1 mg perpound of body weight. A standardBenadryl tablet contains 25 mg ofdiphenhydramine, so a25-pound dog should take one tablet.

If you have asmall dog, it can be harder to get the dosage right.Children's Benadryl tablets may help because they typically contain half the amount ofdiphenhydramine — 12.5 mg — as a typicalBenadryl tablet.

If you're worried about finding the right dosage for your dog, your vet can help. They can tell you the type and amount ofover-the-counter Benadryl to give your dog. And often they can give you a prescription fordog-specific medication, formulated for your pet's size.

Will My Dog Experience Side Effects?

Even though Benadryl is considered safe for dogs, it comes with a variety ofpotential side effects, including:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Urinary retention
• Rapid breathing

In addition to thesecommon side effects, your dog can also experience more severeside effects. While it's rare, some dogs can have anallergic reaction to the Benadryl itself. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet or an emergency vet immediately. They can be signs of a Benadryl allergy or overdose:

• Elevatedheart rate
• Difficulty breathing
• ​Swelling
• Skin rashes
• Dilated pupils
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Agitation
• Constipation
• Seizures

What Other Precautions Should I Take?

In addition to thepotential side effects of Benadryl, this medication can interact with other drugs, including anti-coagulants and drugs that suppress thenervous system. If your dog is taking any other medication — regardless of whether it's a prescription orover-the-counter medication — talk to your vet to make sure it's compatible with Benadryl.

Dogs with certain pre-existingmedical conditions — includingglaucoma, low blood pressure, pregnancy, lactation, enlarged prostate, thyroid disease,cardiovascular disease, orlung disease — shouldn't take Benadryl. Again, your vet can help you determine whether Benadryl is safe for your dog.

So, Can I Give My Dog Benadryl?

While Benadryl isn't right for all dogs, it's generally safe for our furry friends. It's most often prescribed to treatdog allergies, but it can also offer relief if your dog has a reaction toinsect bites, experiences anxiety duringthunderstorms, or getsmotion sickness on longcar rides.

But, Benadryl isn't a good long-term solution for seasonal andenvironmental allergies. Because it causesdrowsiness, this medication can interfere with your dog's ability to enjoy their daily activities. Instead, look for all-natural remedies, likeallergy supplements to support your dog's immune system, or talk to your vet about alternativeantihistamines that won't causedrowsiness.

For more information on your pet's health and wellness, visit theNative Pet blog.

July 21, 2021

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Pet Health Pet Nutrition