Giving Benadryl to Your Dog

While many over the counter medications, such as Tylenol, are not safe to give your dog-Benadryl is perfectly okay for our furry friends. Next time your dog is experiencing symptoms caused by allergies, reach for the allergy relief medication in your medicine cabinet. Today I’m sharing everything you should know about giving Benadryl to your dog. 

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl is an over the counter, allergy relief medication. It is the brand name for the active ingredient diphenhydramine HCI which is an antihistamine. 

Benadryl is commonly used in humans experiencing allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and hives. It can be used for seasonal allergies or an allergic reaction caused by food or environmental triggers.

While Benadryl is not yet FDA approved for veterinarians, it is perfectly safe to give to both dogs and cats. It is commonly recommended by vets to pet owners dealing with allergy symptoms. 

When Should You Give Benadryl to Your Dog?

Giving Benadryl to your dog can be incredibly helpful in dealing with allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, and allergic reactions caused by an insect bite all respond to Benadryl. Benadryl can reduce symptoms such as:

• Hives
• Swelling
• Redness
• Runny nose and eyes
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Itchiness

One of the most common side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness. For this reason, it can also be used to calm anxious dogs. Many vets will recommend Benadryl for dogs who are anxious in boarding situations, cars, or overnight. If your dog experiences frequent anxiety, talk to your vet about giving them Benadryl.

How Much Benadryl Should You Give Your Dog?

The typical dosage of Benadryl for dogs is 1 milligram per pound. In other words, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, they’ll get 50 milligrams of Benadryl. Most over the counter Benadryl comes in 25 milligram tablets, so a 50 pound dog would be given two tablets. 

Before giving your dog Benadryl, talk to your vet for an exact dosage as they may have a different answer for you based on your dogs size, age, or personality.

How to Give Benadryl to Your Dog

You should always give your dog Benadryl tablets and not the slow release capsules or the liquid. The slow release capsules and liquid contain ingredients that are less safe for dogs. In general, the children’s Benadryl pills or tablets are the safest for dog consumption.

You can administer the medication in many different ways. Some dogs may eat it if it’s put in their food while others may be more picky. Hiding the tablet in meat, cheese, or peanut butter will work for most pups.

You can also purchase pill pockets that are designed for giving pills to dogs. Most dogs will gobble these up without even realizing the medication was in there.

If you’re still struggling to get the pill in your dog, a piller is a tool that will allow you to shoot the medication into your dogs throat. 

Note: Always talk to your veterinarian before administering medication to your pet. All dogs respond differently to medications, so it is important to get professional medical advice. Keep an eye on your dog after giving them Benadryl to watch for any symptoms that may be dangerous.

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