Raised in Northern Virginia, Dr. Sam Gilbert received both his BSE and VMD degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Gilbert completed a one-year small animal internship and additional surgical training before relocating to New Jersey for roles in the medical device and animal health industries. Dr. Gilbert currently serves as the Zoetis Petcare HQ Medical Lead for pet owner directed initiatives in dermatology and cross-portfolio therapeutic areas. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and cat.
Is Benadryl for my dog safe? Dosage, side effects, and more
Yes! *Deep exhale* Giving a dog Benadryl is safe. In fact, Benadryl is a fantastic medication to treat dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. It’s most commonly used to treat skin allergies, but it can help aid with anything from seasonal allergies to environmental allergies to food allergies to an allergic reaction to a snake or insect bite.
If your dog is experiencing any of the allergy symptoms below, Benadryl can surely help with your dog’s health:
These may be signs of a serious allergic response that needs immediate treatment. Similarly, if your dog has been bitten by a snake or stung by an unfamiliar insect, call your vet immediately to ensure your dog has not been poisoned.Â
Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that helps relieve the symptoms of allergies in both humans and animals. It can also be used to relieve the symptoms of motion sickness if a dog needs to be transported long distances. For most dogs, the appropriate dosage of Benadryl is perfectly safe. It will begin to reduce symptoms like skin rashes in about an hour.Â
When to call your vet. In an emergency, you should always call your vet first. Your dog may experience anaphylactic shock from their allergies, or in rare cases, from Benadryl itself. Call the vet immediately if your dog is:Â
Almost all symptoms due to medication will be noticeable during the first hour after consuming the substance, so keep an eye on your dog for any changes in behavior. Dogs may also experience a number of more common, less dangerous side effects to Benadryl, like:
Your dog doesnât need to suffer, though. With a vetâs guidance, you can use diphenhydramine (Benadryl) to ease the worst of their allergy symptoms. Hereâs how Benadryl can be given to dogs safely.Â
Does Benadryl Work?
NOTE: It is best to contact your veterinarian for guidance before administering any medication to your pet.
If your dog suffers from mild allergies or is experiencing an allergic reaction from an insect bite or sting, for example, it may surprise you to know that you can reach to your medicine cabinet for help. While other human drugs should NOT be used on our canine companions, Benadryl, when given in the correct dose, is generally safe to use, well tolerated and has a low risk of overdose in dogs.
Benadryl, also known by its active ingredient diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that alleviates both human and dog allergy symptoms. Histamines are produced by the body in response to an allergen it wants to get rid of, triggering sneezing, itching, etc. Benadryl works by blocking histamine receptors, in turn, reducing allergy symptoms. It is important to bear in mind that Benadryl is not as effective for dogs as it is for humans, and is typically only mildly to moderately effective in alleviating mild allergy symptoms.
In this article, I will discuss when you can give your dog Benadryl, the proper dosage according to body weight, and its potential side effects.