Benadryl and Dog Anxiety
We’ve answered the questions, “How much Benadryl can I give my dog?” and “Can I give my dog Benadryl for allergies?” But there are some other instances where diphenhydramine HCL is used for dogs. Here’s what you need to know.
Due to its side effect of drowsiness, some pet parents use Benadryl as a mild sedative for anxious dogs in overwhelming situations like vet visits, car rides, fireworks, or thunderstorms. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that Benadryl may relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety in dogs, especially during travel.
If you have a pooch with anxiety, you might also want to consider a natural calming supplement. Calming hemp-based chews, for example, can help make stressful situations less of an anxiety-inducing process. Look for a dog supplement that has soothing active ingredients such as chamomile, ginger root, passion flower, and hemp oil. These ingredients work together to curb your dog’s anxiety by creating a calming effect.
How much Benadryl can I give to my dog?
Q: What dosage of Benadryl for dogs do vets generally recommend in the US?
A: General dosage is 1 mg (milligram) per 1 lb (pound).
Benadryl dosage in mg = Dogs weight in pounds × 1 mg
Q: Whats the Benadryl dosage for dogs in mg per kg (kilograms)?
A: General dosage is 2.2 mg(milligram) per 1 kg (kilogram).
Benadryl dosage in mg = Dogs weight in kilograms × 2.2 mg
Lets go one step further and calculate how much Benadryl for a dog we need in milliliters (mL).
Our dog weighs 25 pounds and is extremely terrified of flying. ✈️ Our liquid Benadryl has a concentration of 12.5 mg/5 mL.
Benadryl dosage in mg = 25 lb × 1 mg = 25 mg 12.5 mg/5 mL = 2.5 mg/1 mL = 2.5 mg/mL We need 22 mg of Benadryl: 25 / 2.5 = 10 mL What Does Benadryl Do?
Benadryl is an over-the-counter antihistamine that also goes by its generic name, diphenhydramine HCL (this is also its active ingredient). Benadryl can help alleviate allergy symptoms in both you and your dog that come from seasonal allergies, environmental allergies, food allergies, and insect bites.
According to Catherine Barnette, DVM, and Ernest Ward, DVM of VCA Hospitals, the most common sign of a dog with an allergy is itching of the skin. Skin conditions can arise in conjunction with respiratory symptoms as well. “In some cases, the symptoms involve the respiratory system, with coughing, sneezing, and/or wheezing.”
Both the brand-name Benadryl and other diphenhydramine medications typically come in tablets of 25 milligrams. Luckily, the math involved to determine the proper Benadryl dose for dogs is quite straightforward.
Benadryl For Dogs? Dr. Dan Explains
The Benadryl dosage for dogs calculator is the simplest way to calculate a safe dose of Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) for your beloved dog.
No matter what you need it for – allergy, motion sickness, or anxiety – weve got you covered. Well tell you everything you need to know about giving dogs Benadryl, a choice of different allergy medicine for dogs available on the market, and possible side effects of antihistamine for dogs.
We try to do our best when creating our calculators — however, you must remember that they cannot replace actual medical advice and cannot serve as a sole source of clinical decisions. Contact your vet in case of any doubt.