Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money.
How Much Benadryl Can You Give a Dog?
By Emily Gutarra MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE
Find out how much Benadryl you can give a dog.
Quick Answer
Benadryl can be safe to treat dog allergies and manage anxiety symptoms when administered in appropriate doses. An incorrect dose of Benadryl could be extremely harmful, which is why you need to make sure you administer a dose based on your dog’s weight. The rule of thumb is to administer 2–4 mg of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight.
Read on to learn more about the medication as well as how and why it can be used to treat dogs, its side effects and risk factors and more.
What is Benadryl?
Benadryl is one of many brand names for the antihistamine diphenhydramine. Antihistamines like this one are used to relieve symptoms of allergies, common colds and more. Though made for humans, it’s also often recommended by DVMs to treat dogs. Some forms of Benadryl include:
- Children’s Benadryl (liquid Benadryl)
- Benadryl tablets
- Topical benadryl
If you’re looking to offset some of your dog’s medication/treatment costs, we recommend you check out our list of the best pet insurance companies.
Uses of Benadryl for dogs
When it comes to dogs, veterinarians will most likely recommend Benadryl in cases of allergies. Other uses for Benadryl include managing symptoms of anxiety (acting as a mild sedative) and even motion sickness when a dog is traveling.
Allergies
Benadryl is often used to treat a dog’s symptoms when they are experiencing an allergic reaction. The three types of allergies dogs experience the most are environmental allergies (also known as seasonal allergies), atopic dermatitis and food allergies. Veterinarians might recommend Benadryl to treat mild allergy cases. However, severe allergic reactions will require a visit to the vet or the animal hospital.
Some signs and symptoms of allergies in dogs include the following:
- Sneezing
- Hives
- Insect bites
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Itchy skin
- Skin irritation
- Difficulty breathing
- Ear infections
- Hair loss
Anxiety
In cases of dogs with anxiety, a vet might recommend Benadryl. However, it’s important to note that the medication may not be successful in lowering a dog’s anxiety. While some dogs may experience a little sedation or drowsiness under its effects, others may become even more anxious or hyperactive as it can increase their heart rates.
Some sources of anxiety for dogs include:
- Fireworks
- Traveling
- Thunderstorms
- Sudden change of environment
Benadryl dosage for dogs
The dosage of Benadryl you can give to your dog will depend on their weight. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual’s antihistamine dosages table, the recommended dosage of diphenhydramine is 2–4 mg/kg, IM, PO, or SC, q 8–12 h as needed. This means that pet parents should administer 2–4 milligrams (mg) per kilogram of body weight every eight to twelve hours orally or subcutaneously, as needed.
If you’re having trouble calculating the correct dosage for your dog, it may be best to consult your veterinarian before administering the medication.
Risks of giving Benadryl to dogs
One of the main risks of giving the medication to dogs is a Benadryl overdose. This can happen if the owner doesn’t follow the established guidelines based on weight and they administer more than what their dog needs. Some dogs can even have an allergy to diphenhydramine.
Substances like decongestants and alcohol are toxic to dogs. If the type of Benadryl you’re administering contains either of them, it could seriously harm your dog. Owners also need to watch out for how Benadryl interacts with other medications their dogs might be taking. Moreover, Benadryl should not be administered if a dog has certain health conditions — such as glaucoma, cardiovascular disease and others.
Common side effects of Benadryl include:
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Hypersalivation
- Urinary retention
How Much Benadryl Can You Give a Dog FAQs
Can Benadryl be harmful to dogs?
What type of Benadryl can I give my dog?
What’s a Benadryl alternative I can give my dog?
Summary of Money’s Guide on How Much Benadryl You Can Give a Dog
- Benadryl can be safe to treat dog allergies and manage anxiety symptoms when administered in appropriate doses.
- An incorrect dose of Benadryl could be extremely harmful, which is why you need to make sure you administer a dose based on your dog’s weight.
- The rule of thumb is to administer 2–4 mg of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight.
- Over-the-counter medications like Zyrtec and Claritin can be used as alternatives to Benadryl, but owners should first consult with their vets to make sure it’s safe.
- Owners should always consult with a licensed veterinarian before administering any type of over-the-counter medication.
Emily Gutarra is a Staff Writer at Money Group, where she writes and edits articles on personal finance topics as well as comprehensive company and product reviews. Emily holds a Bachelor’s in English-language Literature from the University of Puerto Rico and is currently completing her Master’s in Translation. After graduating in 2020, she embarked on a journey as an editor and translator. Her interest in personal finance was heavily influenced by her experience with learning how to handle her own. She awkwardly navigated the complexities of financial matters during her college years due to the lack of preparation she’d received before becoming independent. This experience has shaped both her purpose to provide readers like herself with the information they need and how she does it. She approaches each article and review keeping in mind what she found and still finds helpful when researching these topics. Prior to joining Money, Emily contributed significantly to content creation for courses at NUC University and all of its academic divisions as part of the institution’s editing team. In this editorial role, she collaborated with experts across a range of academic areas, requiring her to immerse herself in each field. These ranged from business and finance to mortuary sciences, culinary arts, emergency response and more. As an independent translator, Emily leverages her research expertise to provide accurate translations in diverse subject areas.