Benadryl, also known as diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine that can be used in dogs to treat allergic reactions, nausea, anxiety, insect bites and stings, and motion sickness. Benadryl is available over-the-counter and the dosing depends on the weight of the dog. While Benadryl is generally safe for dogs, it’s important to consult with your veterinarian before giving this medication to make sure you administer the proper dose.
Quick Answer
The quick answer is that whether a dog can have 50mg of Benadryl depends on the weight of the dog. Benadryl is dosed at 1mg per pound of body weight in dogs, up to 3 times a day. So a 50mg dose would be suitable for a dog that weighs around 50 pounds. Always consult your vet first before giving Benadryl to your dog.
Can I Give My Dog Benadryl?
Yes, you can give Benadryl to your dog. Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication that is safe for dogs when used correctly. It contains an active ingredient called diphenhydramine which blocks the histamine receptors to relieve allergy symptoms. Benadryl can help relieve itchiness, hives, redness, watery eyes, scratching, chewing, and other allergy symptoms in dogs.
Benadryl is also used in dogs to treat motion sickness, nausea, and anxiety. By blocking histamine, it has a sedative effect which can calm anxious dogs. Additionally, it can help prevent vomiting from car sickness.
However, you should always check with your veterinarian before giving any medication, including Benadryl, to your dog. Your vet will be able to verify that Benadryl is appropriate and provide the proper dosage amount based on your dog’s weight.
Benadryl Dosage for Dogs
The recommended Benadryl dosage for dogs is 1 mg per pound of body weight, given 2-3 times a day. Most drug store diphenhydramine tablets are 25 mg, which is the size used per dose in dogs. Always double check the dosage before administering.
Some typical Benadryl dosages for dogs are:
- Small dogs (under 25 lbs): 10-25 mg OR 1/2 to 1 tablet
- Medium dogs (25-50 lbs): 25-50 mg OR 1 to 2 tablets
- Large dogs (over 50 lbs): 50-100 mg OR 2 to 4 tablets
These dosages can be given 2 to 3 times per day, or as needed for allergies. For motion sickness, give the proper dose 30-60 minutes before traveling.
Never give your dog more than 3 doses of Benadryl in a 24 hour period. Use the lowest effective dose. And always carefully follow product labels and your veterinarian’s advice.
Is 50 mg of Benadryl Safe for Dogs?
Whether 50 mg of Benadryl is safe for a dog depends on the dog’s body weight. Benadryl is dosed based on mg per pound. So a 50 mg dose would be suitable and safe for a medium sized dog weighing around 50 pounds.
Specifically, a 50mg dose of Benadryl would be appropriate and safe for dogs weighing:
- Small dogs: 50 mg is too high a dose
- Medium dogs: Around 50 pounds
- Large dogs: 50 mg would be too low a dose
You should always consult your vet for dosage guidance based on your dog’s specific size and weight. Never give your dog Benadryl without your veterinarian’s recommendation.
Benadryl Side Effects in Dogs
Benadryl is generally safe for dogs when given at the proper dosage. However, some potential side effects can occur.
Common Benadryl side effects seen in dogs include:
- Sedation or drowsiness
- Urinary retention
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Rapid heart rate
These side effects tend to be mild. Sedation is expected since Benadryl has antihistamine properties. Excessive sedation can occur if too high a dose is given. If your dog experiences worrying symptoms contact your veterinarian.
Benadryl Overdose in Dogs
While Benadryl has a wide margin of safety, it is possible for a dog to overdose. Signs of a Benadryl overdose include:
- Extreme lethargy
- Difficulty breathing
- Racing heart rate
- Agitation
- Muscle tremors
- Seizures
A Benadryl overdose can become life threatening without swift veterinary treatment. If you suspect an overdose, bring your dog to an emergency vet clinic right away.
To prevent overdose, be extremely careful that you give your dog the proper dose based on weight. Never give more Benadryl than is recommended without consulting your veterinarian first.
Can I Give My Puppy Benadryl?
Benadryl can be given to puppies, but extreme care must be taken with the dosage. Puppies can be more sensitive to medications.
Benadryl dosing for puppies is the same as for adult dogs – 1mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times daily. However, you should always consult your veterinarian first before giving Benadryl to a puppy.
Your vet will be able to verify that Benadryl is appropriate for your puppy based on age, weight, and health status. Never give any medication to a puppy without a vet’s guidance.
Also, closely monitor your puppy for side effects like excessive sedation. Contact your vet if any concerning symptoms develop.
Can I Give My Dog Benadryl Every Day?
For short-term use, Benadryl can be given to dogs daily without issue. However, Benadryl should not be given to dogs every day for more than a week or two unless directed by a vet.
Long-term daily use of Benadryl may cause side effects such as sedation, upset stomach, and constipation. Discuss ongoing Benadryl needs with your vet to determine if it is still the right medication choice for your dog.
Your veterinarian may recommend switching to a daily pet-safe antihistamine instead, such as Zyrtec or Claritin. Or, prescription medications may be an option for lasting allergy relief.
Be sure to follow your vet’s advice closely on duration of Benadryl use. And notify them if your dog requires antihistamines daily so they can monitor and adjust the treatment plan as needed.
Benadryl Interactions with Other Drugs
If your dog takes other medications, check with your vet before also giving Benadryl. Some potential drug interactions can occur.
Benadryl should be avoided in dogs also taking antidepressants like Prozac or Elavil. These combinations can dangerously elevate blood pressure.
Sedation effects may be increased if Benadryl is given with tranquilizers, narcotic pain meds, seizure medications, muscle relaxants, or other drugs that cause drowsiness. Your vet can advise if these drugs can be safely used together.
In addition, combining Benadryl with anticholinergic drugs like atropine can increase the risk of overheating. Let your vet know about any other drugs your dog takes before administering Benadryl.
Can I Give My Dog Diphenhydramine Instead of Benadryl?
Yes, you can give your dog diphenhydramine instead of Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is the generic name for the active ingredient in Benadryl that relieves allergy symptoms. Both brand name Benadryl tablets and generic diphenhydramine contain the same antihistamine properties.
However, always check with your veterinarian on the proper dosage of diphenhydramine for your dog based on weight. The same 1mg per pound of body weight 2-3 times daily dosage applies to both brand name Benadryl and generic diphenhydramine.
Be sure to purchase pills that contain diphenhydramine alone. Combination medications may also have additional ingredients that can be unsafe for dogs.
Can I Give My Dog Benadryl Cream?
Oral Benadryl tablets or liquid are recommended for dogs as they provide full body allergy relief. Topical Benadryl creams are not likely to be as effective.
Plus, your dog may lick the cream and ingest too much. Dogs should not consume large amounts of medicated creams. Skin irritation may also occur.
Discuss options like Benadryl spray or wipes with your vet instead. These deliver localized antihistamine relief while being less tempting for dogs to lick.
Never apply or administer any topical medication to your dog without your veterinarian’s guidance to ensure safety and efficacy.
Can I Give My Dog Benadryl and Zyrtec?
It is generally not recommended to give Benadryl and Zyrtec (cetirizine) to dogs at the same time. Both are antihistamines and giving them together may cause additive sedative effects.
Your dog can potentially experience extreme tiredness, lethargy, muscle weakness, and other concerning symptoms if given an antihistamine overdose from the combined medications.
In some cases, vets may recommend giving both Benadryl and Zyrtec temporarily if one medication alone is not enough to control severe allergy symptoms. But this should only be under direction from your vet, with close monitoring for side effects.
Never give your dog Benadryl and Zyrtec at the same time without explicit guidance from your veterinarian on safe dosing and what to watch for.
What About Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion?
Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion formulas should not be given to dogs. These combination medications contain other additional ingredients that may be unsafe for dogs.
The original Benadryl product containing just the active antihistamine diphenhydramine is what can be used for dogs. But versions like Allergy Plus Congestion also have pseudoephedrine and acetaminophen that could cause serious harm.
Never give your dog multi-symptom Benadryl formulas without first checking with your veterinarian about the ingredients. Only original Benadryl is approved for dogs.
Can Dogs Take Liquid Benadryl?
Liquid Benadryl can be safely given to most dogs as an alternative to pills. The dosage guidelines are the same – 1mg of diphenhydramine per 1 pound of body weight 2-3 times daily.
To dose liquid Benadryl for dogs, use the provided dosing cup or syringe to measure out the proper amount of liquid based on your dog’s weight. Liquid Benadryl makes it easy to give fractional dosages.
However, always double check with your vet on the recommended Benadryl dosage for your dog before using the liquid form. Follow label instructions carefully and never exceed the prescribed amount.
Can I Give My Dog Children’s Benadryl?
Children’s Benadryl contains a lower dose of the active ingredient diphenhydramine, so it can be a good option for small dogs. However, always check with your vet first.
The dosing of children’s Benadryl is the same as the regular version – 1mg per 1 pound of body weight 2-3 times per day. But the concentration is less, so a smaller quantity will provide the right dose for little dogs.
Never give children’s Benadryl to your dog without your vet’s approval. And be very careful to administer the right amount based on your dog’s size to avoid under or overdosing.
Can Dogs Take Benadryl for Anxiety?
While not a conventional anxiety medication for dogs, Benadryl can help relieve mild anxiety or situational stress such as during car trips or fireworks. Its sedative effect may calm an anxious dog.
However, Benadryl only provides short-term relief and should not be used as an ongoing anti-anxiety medication. Long term use can have adverse effects in dogs.
For lasting anxiety relief, your vet may recommend prescription medications or training techniques instead. Benadryl should only be used occasionally for anxiety under veterinary guidance.
Can I Give My Dog Benadryl and Melatonin?
Combining Benadryl and melatonin for dogs is generally not recommended. Both medications have sedative effects, so using them together could lead to excessive drowsiness or lethargy.
In some cases, vets may advise using Benadryl and melatonin together if prescribed at appropriate dosages and the effects are carefully monitored. But never give both without your vet’s guidance.
Additionally, long term daily use of melatonin is not considered safe for dogs. UseBenadryl only for occasional anxiety or sleep issues, and rely on your vet for advice on suitable daily anti-anxiety or sleep aids if needed.
Conclusion
In summary, the safe dosage of Benadryl for dogs is 1mg per 1 pound of body weight 2-3 times daily. Therefore, whether a 50mg dose is appropriate depends on the dog’s size. Always consult your veterinarian before giving Benadryl to your dog for allergy relief or anxiety issues. Provide detailed medical history and any medications your dog takes to allow proper vet guidance on using Benadryl safely and effectively.
