BENADRYL FOR DOGS, DOSAGE, USES AND ALTERNATIVES

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Last Updated on September 22, 2023 by Thee Puppypreneur

Table Of Contents

WHAT IS THE BENADRYL DOSAGE FOR DOGS

In this article we are going to discuss what is ®Benadryl for dogs, the dosage, diphenhydramine for pets, and a bunch of natural alternatives to Benadryl®.

So, Benadryl® also known as diphenhydramine is an antihistamine it is often used by pet owners to treat dogs that have allergies, get car sick, or to help induce sleep.

It is an over-the-counter medication and can be found readily at any local pharmacy or grocery store.

®Benadryl for dogs is not yet FDA-approved for veterinary use, but it is considered safe for use in dogs and cats and is commonly used in veterinary practices across the U.S. ¹

WHAT IS BENADRYL FOR DOGS USED FOR

®Benadryl for dogs can be given for a variety of different reasons including;

Allergies
Itching
Anxiety
Hives
Runny nose and eyes

®Benadryl for dogs is typically given by mouth at 1mg per pound of body weight. ²

It is important to note that if using ®Benadryl for dogs’ allergies. You are not curing the condition you are merely suppressing it.

When asking yourself can you give dogs Benadryl ® just know that there are several different types of Benadryl ® and you want to make sure you are choosing the right one for your dog.

There is a Benadryl Allergy Plus® that comes with a nasal decongestant meaning that it has added ingredients like phenylephrine and this added ingredient although utilized for humans can have toxic effects on dogs if ingested internally so it is best to stay away from this item unless under the direct supervision of a veterinarian.

There is a product on the market called PetArmor® that has the same active ingredient as Benadryl® which is diphenhydramine, but it is actually made for dogs. There is a dosage on the box and it tells you how much diphenhydramine or pills you should give your dog based on their weight.

Amazon.com : PetArmor Antihistamine Allergy Relief for Dogs, 100 Tablets : Pet Supplies

WHO SHOULD NOT USE BENADRYL FOR DOGS

Although, ®Benadryl for dogs is usually regarded as safe, there is a case where a dog was given diphenhydramine and the dog was found dead by police. ³

Benadryl® should not be used in animals with pre-existing conditions or on other medication without consulting a veterinarian first.

Dogs that have liver issues, breathing problems, heart disease or hyperthyroidism should not use ®Benadryl for dogs.

(This list is not inclusive of all conditions)

SIDE EFFECTS OF BENADRYL FOR DOGS

Benadryl® or diphenhydramine can cause some side effects you might want to be aware of such as;

Dry mouth
Drowsiness
Urinary Retention
Vomiting
Diarrhea

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES TO BENADRYL FOR DOGS

So, what other alternatives are there to ®Benadryl for dogs. There are a host of natural products and remedies on the market depending on the reason you are using ®Benadryl for dogs in the first place.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

If you are using Benadryl® to treat an insect bite, I have found that a skin soother for me personally and my dog is a 50/50 mix of apple cider vinegar and water applied to the bite topically a couple times a day.

This helps with itching tremendously and I make sure to use organic apple cider vinegar with mother in it.

QUERCETIN

Another supplement you can use to help treat a dog’s allergies is quercetin.

Quercetin was used in an experiment with mice where they were given 10mg/kg and the results were that it was in fact an effective inflammation suppressor. ⁴

In other studies, it has also been found to be a promising treatment in atopic dermatitis ⁵ which is a skin condition caused by allergies for which corticosteroid treatment is usually recommended.

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid. It can be found in a variety of foods such as broccoli, berries, grapefruit and apples. It is also rich in antioxidants which means that it can help cell damage in your dog’s body.

Antioxidants are known to help the immune system deal with things such as inflammation, allergies and overall immunity.

BLACK SEED OIL

Another natural antihistamine is black cumin Nigella Sativa L. or commonly sometimes called black seed. This plant is regarded as being very versatile in both humans and animals.

It has a broad range of properties, one of which is actually an antihistamine. There are a number of active components that this plant has and some that are being studied are thymoquinone and nigellone.

Researchers decided to test their theories on N. Sativa seed extract against the growing number of reports on food allergies.

Not only did the black seed extract prove successful in reducing allergy induced diarrhea.

“The quinolone, thymoquinone, one of the lipophilic compounds in hexanic extract from N. sativa seeds, has been shown to mediate anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic benefits of N. sativa in animal models.” ⁶

REISHI

Reishi mushrooms are considered medicinal mushrooms. These mushrooms are one of many varieties that I love. I will dive into all the other medicinal mushrooms and their medically researched uses in a later article but for now let’s discuss this guy.

Reishi or Ganoderma Lucidum or Lingzhi in Chinese is a fungus with many researched medicinal qualities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine and anti-oxidant.

“Allergy symptoms occur when your body tries to fight allergens with histamine. The immune system reacts by producing Immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies that cause havoc. Beta glucan reduces IgE, providing allergy relief.” ⁷

Reishi is rich in beta glucans as are other mushrooms.

“One study found that reishi extracts compared favorably with Prednisone®, a steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with potentially serious side effects.” ⁸

SPIRULINA

Lastly, another possible alternative is Spirulina called (Arthrospira platensis) which is a blue-green algae noted for being a complete protein and superfood.

Spirulina has been suggested to be anti-inflammatory and to inhibit the release of histamines.

Research trials and medical reviews

“suggest that this alga may improve several symptoms and may even have an anticancer, antiviral and antiallergic effects.” ⁹

In a study containing 30 adult dogs which were tested for 42 weeks on Spirulina as an added supplement to their diet the results showed that all the dogs on Spirulina had significantly enhanced immune and gut health.

“Together these results suggest that Spirulina fed dogs have a healthier and more robust immune system.” ¹⁰

So, we have discussed some alternatives to Benadryl® such as ;

Apple Cider Vinegar
Quercetin
Reishi
Spirulina

As with any of the items listed here you will want to consult with your veterinarian regarding the appropriate dosage and best option for your needs. Again, it depends on what you are looking to treat as to whether it is runny nose, car sickness, food allergy or insect bite.

Also, you need to be aware that if your dog has certain pre-existing conditions or is already on medication you will have a limited number of options available to you.

Depending on whether it is Benadryl® or another one of the all-natural listed options you may not be able to offer that option.

For example, if your dog is on certain medications like blood thinners then spirulina should be avoided.

This is just one of many examples and you will need to check with your vet for your dog’s specific condition or medication.

Check out our other articles for more information such as;

MOTION SICKNESS IN DOGS, HELPFUL TIPS AND ALTERNATIVE AND NATURAL REMEDIES