The most common symptoms that Benadryl can help alleviate:
While Benadryl can be used for motion sickness, there are more effective over the counter options for motion sickness than Benadryl. If your dog is experiencing motion sickness, speak with your veterinarian.
What Can Benadryl Treat In Dogs?
Benadryl is typically recommended by veterinarians for dogs experiencing mild allergic symptoms caused by insect bites or stings, medications or vaccinations. It can be given to dogs prior to vaccination for those who typically experience a reaction. If your dog is experiencing an allergic reaction that is accompanied by facial swelling or difficulty breathing, please contact a veterinarian immediately as this can be life threatening.
Benadryl can also be used to treat symptoms of environmental, flea or food allergies. While veterinarians generally approve of using Benadryl for dogs with mild allergies, it is important to keep in mind that Benadryl is not as effective for dogs as it is for humans, and it should not be used to treat severe allergies. Additionally, if your dog is experiencing a food allergy, it is likely due to one of the top food allergens in dogs which are beef, dairy, and chicken, and removing the offending food is key.
Can you give a dog Benadryl for allergies?
Benadryl may be an effective dog medication to use in canines with allergies. Seasonal, environmental, and food-related allergies — as well as allergic reactions to bites and stings — can be alleviated with diphenhydramine HCl.
A veterinarian may recommend your dog Benadryl to alleviate symptoms induced by an inflammatory histamine response, such as:
It’s always wise to talk to your vet before introducing your pup to a new medication. Certain allergy symptoms (like red, itchy eyes) may be signs of a more severe condition, such as glaucoma, in which case Benadryl will not help.
In fact, if your canine companion does have glaucoma, the drug could make their condition worse. If you give your dog Benadryl, make sure to monitor your pet and call your vet if you notice an adverse reaction or unusual symptoms.
Keep in mind, Benadryl is only safe and effective for use in dogs experiencing mild to moderate allergic symptoms. If your dog displays symptoms of an acute allergic reaction to a food allergy with difficulty breathing, facial swelling, or severe itching, then take them to the vet as soon as possible. In these cases, the doctor may need to inject antihistamine so the drug can act more quickly.
Pro tip: An allergic reaction can last a few minutes or a few hours, but chronic allergy symptoms will be a part of your pups day-to-day life. Fortunately, these are manageable with the right medical supervision, and many pet insurance policies cover vet visits related to allergy issues.