Will a benadryl hurt a dog?

Have you ever given your dog Benadryl only to be met with fearful, puppy-dog eyes and an uncertain expression? Many pet parents may ask themselves whether this common allergy medication might cause more harm than good. In this article, we’ll explore if giving your furry friend Benadryl is safe, what the benefits are, and what factors you should account for.

What is Benadryl?

Benadryl is an antihistamine that counteracts histamines produced in our bodies when exposed to allergens. Histamines cause all manner of unpleasant side effects such as itching, hives or any other uncomfortable feeling that comes with allergic reactions. So we often take them when allergies strike to manage these symptoms better.

Now before going deep into the question ‘Will a benadryl hurt a dog?’, let me disclose something exciting: You will find out soon enough! First let’s focus on understanding how many doses can properly help our furry friends who complain about experiencing similar issues like us (humans).

How Much Can You Give Your Dog Safely?

A doctor told me once “More isn’t always better,” which means taking two pills doesn’t necessarily mean double relief…all it does is increase the risk of negative side effects significantly.

The same goes for dogs too! While veterinarians recommend dosages based on several parameters- weight being significant- one general rule says that you should administer 1 milligram of medication per pound of body weight every eight hours; this translates into roughly one pill per twenty five pounds three times daily.

To explain further-
For small dogs weighing less than 25 lbs – Half tablet
Medium sized dogs around 30–50lbs – One full tablet
Larger breeds over 75 lbs – Two tablets at most

However, always remember it’s best to speak to your vet first!

Why Give Benadryl to Your Dog?

All cat and dog owners know very well that pets are mischievous fellows that love playing and snarling up in the most unexpected situations. It’s also common for them to place their nose somewhere it doesn’t belong leading to an allergic reaction or even worse, bee/wasp sting.

This is where Benadryl comes into play. Giving appropriate doses of Benadryl helps soothe minor allergy symptoms such as itching, swelling or sneezing, along with other ailments like ear infections.

In straightforward terms: It makes the furry pals feel much better!

Are There Any Side Effects?

Benadryl works similarily on dogs as they do on humans but there can be side effects which might make you uneasy –

Drowsiness

The most frequent one being drowsiness which often leads them drifting off and snoozing unexpectedly; however, this goes away once the medication loses its effect.

Lethargy

Some dogs may get lethargic after taking a dose of benadrly – meaning less stretch outs & more rest than usual. But don’t worry! As mentioned earlier, these disappear within a couple of hours if not sooner.

Dry mouth

Just like us humans consuming antihistamines results in dryness throughout our bodies- including mouths- so when medicating furry friends watch out for any untreated underlying issue in their teeth (just saying).

But even though these adverse reactions seem somewhat scary there’s no need to fret, because giving only one dose per day ensures that each succeeding dosage would produce lesser side-effects than before.

So…Will A Benadryl Hurt A Dog?

So here’s what we’ve been waiting for: Will benadryl hurt your goodest boy/girl? The answer is actually quite simple—No! While it’s advised to speak to your veterinarian to confirm dog and breed specifics, benadryl itself isn’t a toxic medication for canines.

Being sick is already bad enough- so we all deserve something that would soothe those allergies away without a second thought. And this is exactly where Benadryl comes into play!

How Can You Give Your Dog Benadryl?

Because you wouldn’t let your kid swallow pills whole sans water, there are different ways you could give them Benadryl with added fun:
Hide the pill in their favorite food or snack ( Peanut butter always works!)
Crush it up and put the powder on top of moist meals
Dissolve tablets in pre-boiled chicken broth to make soup meet medicine.

Here’s A Quick Table To Summarize-

Dog size Half tablet dose Full Tablet Dose Two Tablets at most (day)
Small Dogs: <25lbs 1/2 Dosage Not Applicable Not Applicable
Medium Sized :30–50lbs Not Required One dosage Authorisation required
Larger Breeds over75 lbs Not Required Not Required Limited use by vet’s prescription

Note these dosages shouldn’t replace professional advice so reach out to vets prior medicating doggos, they may be allergic or have current medical conditions that hamper their ability to metabolize certain types of drugs.

When Should You See The Vet Instead Of Giving Benadryl

While Benadrly certainly helps calm minor symptoms caused due to bee/wasp stings, allergens from clean-up agents or insect bites as mentioned before- sometimes it’s best going an extra mile if –

There Is An Underlying Health Issue

If the itching or sneezing persists even after Benadryl, it could be caused due to an underlying health condition such as a food allergy. This should always prompt speaking with your vet.

Smaller/ Toy Breed Dogs

Dogs from smaller breeds are prone to having breed-specific issues that increase the risk of developing side effects than other larger breeds- making administration of medication tricky and must-have for supervision by vets.

Allergic Reactions After Vaccinations

After obtaining vaccinations especially rabies shots at times leads to allergic reactions hence special observation is required before proceeding further.

In Conclusion

Giving appropriate doses of benadryl provides relief from minor allergies among dogs without posing any long-term harm to them. However, like most medication, there can be adverse effects on pets which vary based on dosage & their physical response afterward; Side-effects reduce significantly by sticking with appropriate dosages when medicating furry friends in need so best suggested talking to a veterinarian beforehand!

All things considered: “Helping Doggos recover quicker while providing extra cuddles is never out-dated.”

Random Posts