Is it safe to give a dog Benadryl that is for human consumption?

Although there are lots of human over the counter medications that are safe to give to pets, there are equally many more that are deadly if given to a pet, so it is very important you are fully aware of which human medications you can use to treat common afflictions in your dog. Is it safe to give a dog Benadryl that is for human consumption?

Benadryl is a common anti-histamine medication that has been used for decades to treat the symptoms of allergies and motion sickness in humans. Benadryl contains Diphenhydramine hydrochloride and can be bought from your local chemist without prescription.

Is it safe to give a dog Benadryl that is for human consumption?

Benadryl has lots of uses, both in humans and in dogs, and many pet owners use Benadryl to treat their dogs for allergies, motion sickness, and also as a mild sedative. But before you give your dog Benadryl, it is very important that you read the label of the medication and ensure that Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is the only active ingredient, because while Diphenhydramine hydrochloride is perfectly safe for most dogs, when combined with other active drugs, it could prove fatal for your dog.

What are the dosage instructions for giving Benadryl to dogs?

Dogs normally require a higher dose of Benadryl than humans in order for the medication to be effective, but you must still be very careful not to give your dog too high a dose. Benadryl dosage is normally calculated on the basis of 1mg to 1 pound per body weight, so a 25mg tablet of Benadryl would be the appropriate dose for a dog with a body weight of 25 pounds. If in doubt about how much your dog weighs, always check their weight before administering the Benadryl. No more than one dose of Benadryl should be given in a twelve hour period.

Are there any side effects caused by Benadryl and is it safe to give a dog Benadryl that is for human consumption?

Although Benadryl is considered generally very safe for dogs, it does have a few known side effects and at the first sign of any problems with your pet, always cease giving them any more medication and seek medical advice immediately.

Some of the side effects reported by dog owners include the following:

•    Excessive drooling—some dogs begin to drool heavily after being given a dose of Benadryl. This is unpleasant for you and your upholstery, but it is not dangerous to the dog.
•    Drowsiness—one of the known side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, which in many cases is welcome, but in others can be a serious hindrance.
•    Vomiting—although Benadryl is commonly used to treat the effects of motion sickness in dogs, in a few rare incidences, the drug can actually induce vomiting.
•    Appetite suppression—Benadryl can occasionally adversely affect a dog’s appetite, so if this occurs with your dog, it is a good idea to feed them first.
•    Hyperactivity—this is a very rare side effect with Benadryl, but it does sometimes affect dogs.

2 Responses to “Is it safe to give a dog Benadryl that is for human consumption?”

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  1. beth mortimer says:

    this information has been a god send for me as our two dogs dont travel well so i hope this will help them as well as us thank you

  2. Lon swanson says:

    Benadryl dose for dogs is 1mg/ 1lb of weight. If I apply that dosage to myself I would take 175 mg. That is a very high dose. Why are dogs given a dose 7 or more times that of humans?

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