
But if a dog receives too much Benadryl ®, they might exhibit:Ĭall your veterinarian for advice if your dog experiences any worrisome symptoms after taking Benadryl ®. In conjunction with certain medications, including monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and come drugs used to treat fungal infectionsĪt normal doses, the most common side effects of Benadryl ® exhibited by dogs include drowsiness and being unsteady on their feet. Some instances in which Benadryl ® should not be used (or should be used with caution) include:Ĭardiac conditions ( cardiovascular disease) Is Benadryl® Safe for Dogs?īy and large, Benadryl ® is very well-tolerated in dogs, with few side effects and a low risk of overdose when used correctly.īut the reason why you still need to check with your veterinarian is because there are safety risks if your dog has certain health conditions or takes certain medications.

It might involve making changes to your dog’s environment, behavioral training, prescription medications, or tools such as anxiety vests and pheromones. If your dog has anxiety, talk with your veterinarian to determine a course of treatment. Some dogs and cats actually have the opposite reaction to Benadryl ®, causing hyperactivity instead of sedation. So, if your dog is anxious because they’re nauseous in the car, it could help. Benadryl ® may make some dogs a little sleepy and less responsive, but it doesn’t do anything for their underlying anxiety.īenadryl ® does has some efficacy in the prevention of motion sickness in dogs. You might have heard that Benadryl ® can be given to dogs to help with travel anxiety or dogs that are scared of fireworks and thunderstorms, but it really isn’t very effective. Dogs often require aggressive supportive care and treatment with steroids and epinephrine in addition to Benadryl ®. Severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening. Oral or injectable Benadryl ® can be used as a pre-treatment for mild allergic vaccine reactions.īut if your pet is having an acute allergic reaction with facial swelling or difficulty breathing, take them straight to the vet. Benadryl ® can also be used for mild allergic reactions to insect bites or stings. Taken orally, Benadryl ® for dogs can help ease mild allergic symptoms to common triggers such as pollen, mold, and house mites, particularly if it’s used in combination with other allergy treatments. Veterinarians most commonly recommend that pet parents give their dogs Benadryl ® to prevent or treat mild allergic reactions and to reduce nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness or vestibular disease. It can also ease nausea and vomiting by inhibiting the chemoreceptor trigger zone (vomiting center) in the brain and reducing the way that the vestibular apparatus (the balance center in the ear) responds to motion. What Is Benadryl®?īenadryl ® is a first-generation antihistamine that prevents H-1 receptors in the body from reacting to histamine. So, when is Benadryl ® for dogs effective and safe, and when does your dog need a different treatment? Here are a few things you should keep in mind before giving your dog Benadryl ®. In addition, Benadryl ® should not be given to animals with certain health conditions or pups taking certain medications.

But while Benadryl ® is generally well tolerated by dogs and has a wide safety margin, it’s not necessarily the answer to your dog’s issue.įor some dogs, giving Benadryl ® to calm them may have the opposite effect and make them more anxious. You might be looking at using Benadryl ® for dogs to keep your pup calm, or maybe your dog was stung by an insect and is having a mild allergic reaction. NOTE: It’s always best to contact your veterinarian for guidance before administering any medication to your pet, including Benadryl ®.īenadryl ®, also known by its generic name, diphenhydramine, is one of the few over-the-counter drugs designed for people that veterinarians may have pet parents administer at home.
