How Much Benadryl Can You Give a Dog?
Thankfully, diphenhydramine has a fairly wide safety margin in dogs. A safe and easy dosage to remember is 1 milligram per pound of body weight. For example, a 50-pound dog would get 50 milligrams of Benadryl. Brand name and generic forms generally come in 25-milligram tablets, so that 50-pound dog would get two tablets at a time. If your dog’s weight is in between a multiple of 25, you can break tablets in half to get the right dosage.
Children’s liquid Benadryl can be used for small dogs using the same dosage. Avoid the adult formula of liquid Benadryl, as this often contains alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. As with any flavored human medication, always check the inactive ingredients for xylitol, a sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs. Do not give your pet any medication (or any other substance) containing xylitol.
Can You Give Benadryl Without Talking To Your Vet First?
It’s always best to consult with your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication or supplement. You want to make sure it’s appropriate for your dog’s symptoms, that you are giving the right dose, and that it will not interfere with other medications your dog is taking. But as long as you know your dog’s current weight and double-check your math on that 1-milligram-per-pound dosage, when you see your dog’s face swelling up from a bug bite you can go ahead and give the Benadryl.
Do not give Benadryl if your dog has a heart condition (particularly high blood pressure), glaucoma, seizures, bladder issues (particularly an obstruction), or lung disease.
If symptoms persist even after giving Benadryl, contact your vet. Swelling of the throat is an emergency and requires immediate intervention with injectable medications that will work faster than a pill given by mouth.
If you find yourself giving Benadryl to your dog on a regular basis, discuss the symptoms you see and the frequency with your veterinarian. While Benadryl may be working well to address the symptoms, there may be other medications that can more effectively address the underlying cause of those symptoms.
WHAT IS BENADRYL USED FOR IN DOGS?
While Benadryl is FDA approved for human use, it is not FDA approved for animal use, though some types of Benadryl are considered relatively safe for dogs and cats.
An allergic reaction causes a chemical release of histamine in the body. Once released, histamine binds to receptors on specific cells, causing itchiness and inflammation. These receptors are known as H-1 receptors. Benadryl (or Diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine and works by blocking the H-1 receptors and decreasing the effects of histamine. When you give your dog Benadryl for motion sickness, it works by blocking the impulses to the vomiting center in the brain of the dog.
It is possible for dogs to overdose on Benadryl, and the symptoms can be life-threatening. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet or emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Ironically, Benadryl can cause an allergic reaction in some dogs. Just as with all drugs, you should always watch your dog closely after their first use.
As an approximate guideline, the maximum dosage of Benadryl for dogs is 1mg for every 1 pound of the dogs body weight, given 2-3 times per day, about 8-12 hours apart. Many factors can change this general guideline, so you should always talk to your vet to determine the proper dosage for your dog. In general, start with a lower dose and gradually increase it until the desired effect is reached. Some dogs are more sensitive to Benadryl than others, so starting small is best.
| Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) | Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) | |
|---|---|---|
| Dog Weight | Tablet (mg) | Childrens Liquid (ml) |
| 1 lbs – 10 lbs | 1 mg – 10 mg | 0.4 ml – 4 ml |
| 10 lbs – 20 lbs | 10 mg – 20 mg | 4 ml – 8 ml |
| 20 lbs – 30 lbs | 20 mg – 30 mg | 8 ml – 12 ml |
| 30 lbs – 40 lbs | 30 mg – 40 mg | 12 ml – 16 ml |
| 40 lbs – 50 lbs | 40 mg – 50 mg | 16 ml – 20 ml |
| 50 lbs – 60 lbs | 50 mg – 60 mg | 20 ml – 24 ml |
| 60 lbs – 70 lbs | 60 mg – 70 mg | 24 ml – 28 ml |
| 70 lbs – 80 lbs | 70 mg – 80 mg | 28 ml – 32 ml |
| 80 lbs – 90 lbs | 80 mg – 90 mg | 32 ml – 36 ml |
| 90 lb – 100 lbs | 90 mg – 100 mg | 32 ml – 36 ml |
| 100 lbs – 110 lbs | 100 mg – 110 mg | 40 ml – 44 ml |
| 110 lbs – 120 lbs | 110 mg – 120 mg | 44 ml – 48 ml |
| 120 lbs – 130 lbs | 120 mg – 130 mg | 48 ml – 52 ml |
| 130 lbs – 140 lbs | 130 mg – 140 mg | 52 ml – 56 ml |
| 140 lbs – 150 lbs | 140 mg – 150 mg | 56 ml – 60 ml |
Benadryl For Dogs? Dr. Dan Explains
First, since human doses and doses for dogs are different, you need to know the correct dose to administer. Second, drug interactions can be dangerous so your veterinarian should review your dog’s medical record to prevent any adverse events. Third, many over-the-counter (OTC) medications are NOT safe for dogs Do not assume that drugs are safe for your dog just because they can be purchased without a prescription; making that assumption can lead to toxic effects.
Antihistamines. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®), cetirizine (Zyrtec®), and loratadine (Claritin®) are commonly used antihistamines that relieve allergy symptoms or counteract allergic reactions. Antihistamines are usually safe but can make some dogs drowsy and others hyperactive. OTC antihistamine preparations may contain other ingredients such as decongestants that are not safe for dogs. Read the label carefully to ensure that the product only contains antihistamine. Check with your veterinary healthcare team to make sure that the antihistamine you have is suitable for your dog.
Antidiarrheals/Antinauseants. Bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol®) is commonly kept in medicine cabinets for digestive upsets and can be administered to your dog. If your dog has never taken it before, check with your veterinary healthcare team before dosing. It can be dosed at 1 teaspoon for 5-10 pounds of body weight to treat both diarrhea and vomiting. But if your dog vomits up the Pepto-Bismol, call your veterinarian.Kaopectate® is another anti-diarrheal that is typically safe and soothes upset stomachs. But at a dose of 1 ml per pound, a large dog needs a lot of Kaopectate. Your veterinarian can prescribe a medication designed for dogs.
Loperamide (Imodium®). This medication is a good treatment for diarrhea in a pinch and should be safe for your dog if dosed at 1 mg per 20 pounds of body weight. Only give one dose. If the diarrhea does not resolve, contact your veterinarian. Accurate diagnosis of the cause of the diarrhea will allow targeted treatment of the problem.
Famotidine (Pepcid AC®) and cimetidine (Tagamet®). These medications are used by to treat or prevent heartburn in people, and they work on dogs too. By decreasing the production of gastrointestinal acids, these medications can make dogs feel better. It is okay to use them intermittently for dietary indiscretions, but if your dog’s stomach issues persist, see your veterinarian to determine the underlying problem.
Steroid sprays, gels, and creams. OTC steroid preparations contain a lower percentage of active ingredients than prescription steroids and are usually very safe. The upside is that they decrease the itchiness of insect bites and hot spots. The downside is that steroids can delay healing especially if the wound is infected. If your dog’s wound does not look better after a couple of applications, have it evaluated by your veterinarian.
Topical antibiotic ointment. Neosporin® is a common topical antibiotic used on minor cuts and scrapes. This ointment is pretty safe in dogs and should be in every first aid kit. Verify that the ointment only contains antibiotic and not steroids, which can actually delay healing. Make sure to clean your dog’s wound before applying the antibiotic ointment and cover the wound so your dog does not lick the ointment off.
Anti-fungal sprays, gels, and creams. Most fungal infections are too complicated to be successfully treated with OTC products; however, you may use them until you can get your dog to a veterinary clinic. Since some fungal infections can be transmitted from pets to humans, it is important to treat these types of infections quickly and effectively.
Hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide can be used topically to clean out a superficial flesh wound and can also be given orally to induce vomiting if your dog ingests something he should not have (i.e., your medications, rodenticides, toxic plants). However, vomiting may cause more harm than good, so PRIOR to giving an oral dose of hydrogen peroxide, contact your veterinarian, or emergency veterinary hospital before you give your dog an oral dose and to find out how much to give.
Mineral oil. This relatively benign liquid has a variety of uses. You can place a couple of drops in your dog’s eyes before giving him a bath to avoid irritation from soap.
Artificial tears. If your dog squints or blinks excessively, he may have dry eyes or could have a bit of dust or debris in them. Even the tiniest speck in your eye is annoying and dry eyes are irritating. Sometimes a little lubricating eye drop is all that is needed to clear debris out. However, if your dog continues to squint or blink, take him to your veterinarian right away. He may have an eye infection, a scratch on his cornea, or a foreign body that needs to be removed. If your dog’s eyes look red or swollen, or if you notice a discharge, contact your veterinarian immediately. Quick response time will relieve your dog’s discomfort and may prevent permanent vision loss. Keywords