Diphenhydramine Dosage Chart for Dogs: Risks, Side Effects, Dosage, and More

As human beings, it is second nature to turn to Benadryl when you need assistance in getting shut-eye, ending relentless sneezing, or stopping us from itching ourselves crazy. On the other hand, our dogs suffer from similar allergies yet have a harder time getting relief from them. On the contrary, your dog can get relief from a veterinarian and Diphenhydramine. Read this article to discover if Diphenhydramine could be the relief your dog needs from merciless allergens.

Is Diphenhydramine Safe for Dogs?

Diphenhydramine is a safe medication for your dog as long as a licensed veterinary professional prescribes it. Consequently, the human version of Diphenhydramine could be life-threatening due to the difference in compound structure.

When Do Dogs Need Diphenhydramine?

Dogs love to play and run outside. Consequently, this puts them at higher risk of exposure to irritants and allergens, which lurk everywhere. They may run across dandruff, pollen, and other irritants that could cause a minor reaction, such as itchy skin, to a major reaction, such as anaphylactic shock.

Moreover, Diphenhydramine can treat a wide range of issues with allergies in your dog, such as:

• Sneezing.
• Watery Eyes.
• Itching.
• Runny nose.
• Hives.
• Anaphylactic shock.
• Travel anxiety.
• Motion sickness.
• Lessen the effect of excessive histamine being released during mast cell degranulation.
• On rare occasions, your vet may prescribe Diphenhydramine to fend off chances of an allergic reaction from heartworm treatments or vaccines.

Signs of Diphenhydramine Overdose in Dogs

A diphenhydramine drug overdose can occur in your canine if you do not follow veterinary instructions during the administration of the drug. However, every dog has a different reaction due to its unique body structure. Even a prescription from a veterinarian can cause adverse reactions. Your dog may display any of the symptoms below if they are experiencing an overdose:

• Extremely Lethargic.
• Racing heart.
• Loss of appetite.
• Increase in drooling.
• Vomiting.
• Diarrhea.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Seizing.

If your pup is expressing any of the above syndromes, please rush them to your closest veterinarian.

Risks

You may wish to check with your vet first if your dog has any of the conditions below:

• Glaucoma.
• Heart issues.
• Epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
• Hypertension.
• Allergy lung disease.
• Pregnancy.

Diphenhydramine Side Effects

Your dog may experience some side effects from taking Diphenhydramine. Some common side effects of Diphenhydramine include:

• Tiredness.
• Dry mouth.
• Difficulty urinating.
•  Increased drooling.
• Fast heart rate.
• Breathing quickly.

On occasion, your dog may experience rare side effects that include:

• Diarrhea.
• Vomiting.
• Decreased appetite.
• In some instances, your dog may have excessive hunger.

If your dog displays rare symptoms of Diphenhydramine, please contact your logical vet immediately.

Diphenhydramine Dosage Chart for Dogs

The chart in this section is meant to serve only as a reference point to get an idea of what your vet might prescribe. It is not recommended to follow this chart WITHOUT consulting your veterinarian first. 

Alternatives to Diphenhydramine

If you are looking for a holistic approach to treating dog allergies, you may want to check out Quercetin. Quercetin is a natural antihistamine that can help alleviate pesky allergies in your pup.

This natural medicine can quiet the histamine production in your pup. It also helps decrease inflammation that allergies, injuries, and vaccines can create.

Another holistic approach to Diphenhydramine is reiki. Reiki is a holistic energy therapy that can reduce the ailments connected to the allergies that your dog experiences. Animal reiki works by balancing the frequency of the biomagnetism fields in your dog’s body back to a natural state of being. However, you should NEVER use reiki instead of veterinary care but rather as a consort to traditional veterinary medicine.

Diphenhydramine is a safe medicine that can relieve your dog’s allergies. However, always check with a vet to get the correct prescription and dosage.