Can Dogs Take Benadryl?

If you are a pet owner, then you’re probably careful about what goes in to your dog’s mouth. You probably want to give your dog the best of everything, and this includes the best medication and dog supplements whenever it doesn’t feel too good. While most people would recommend going to the veterinarian whenever your dog isn’t feeling well, there are actually some simple remedies or over-the-counter medications you can purchase for certain conditions.

When you are under the weather, you probably take in some over-the-counter medicines to make you feel better. But have you ever thought about giving it to your pet whenever it isn’t feeling that good?

Seasons change, and just like people, dogs can also catch certain conditions that can make them feel unwell because of the constantly changing weather. Does your dog experience seasonal allergies? Does your dog often scratch its nose? Does your dog suffer from asthma, congestion, or coughing? If your dog is showing these symptoms and conditions, then it can probably benefit from Benadryl.

WHAT IS BENADRYL?

Benadryl is a type of antihistamine that can help alleviate the symptoms related to allergies such as sneezing, a runny nose, and itchiness. It is an over-the-counter medication that can easily be bought at your local pharmacy.

IS BENADRYL SAFE FOR MY DOG?

Benadryl is generally safe for your pet to take. It has the active ingredient that is referred to as diphenhydramine. If your dog is suffering from seasonal allergies, this is one of the best and most highly recommended medicines to give it in order to alleviate the symptoms and make your pet feel better.

SOME PRECAUTIONS

Benadryl For Puppies

If your dog is still a puppy, you probably need to consult your veterinarian first. This is because puppies are still babies, and pet owners need to be careful about what you make them ingest because they aren’t fully grown dogs yet.

Don’t Combine Benadryl with Other Medications

While the active ingredient diphenhydramine is safe for your dog, combining it with other medications at the same time could be dangerous – when in doubt, consult your veterinarian.

Does Your Dog Have a Condition?

If your dog has certain medical conditions, you should ask your veterinarian before letting it take Benadryl. This is vital especially if your dog is suffering from glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, and other medical conditions.

HOW MUCH DOSAGE SHOULD I GIVE?

Let’s say you’ve decided to give Benadryl to your dog. You’re probably curious about the dosage. How much Benadryl can you give your pet? It will depend on the size of your dog. Generally, if your dog is approximately less than 4.5 kilos, then you should give it no more than 10 mg of the medicine. If your dog is more than 10 kilos, then you can give it up to 25 mg. This increases depending on the size of your dog. If you aren’t sure about how much Benadryl to give, you can consult your veterinarian. You can let your dog take the medicine three times per day, with eight hours apart.

SIDE EFFECTS

The good thing is that Benadryl doesn’t have many side effects when you let your dog take it. However, some common side effects can be drowsiness and/or lethargy. Your dog can also end up with a dry mouth, diarrhea, and urine retention. Some of the less common side effects are vomiting and a decreased appetite.