Can I give my dog benadryl for itching?
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5 Answers
You should always consult with your veterinarian before administering any over the counter medicines. Benadryl can be an effective drug if given in the proper dosage and time interval.
It is generally safe to give your dog Benadryl. The average dose is 1mg per pound. (e.g. if your dog is 25 pounds he gets 25 mg) If the itching becomes a large problem and he/she begins to have obvious skin issues, hives, or difficulty breathing with the itching, contact your vet ASAP in case it is a more immediate problem than just dry skin or hot spots.
Before giving Benadryl, check with the vet to make sure your dog is in good health first. Typical dose is 1mg/lb of dog weight. So if your dog weighs 25 pounds, then you would give her (1) 25mg tablet of benadryl. Just a note, benadryl can cause constipation in dogs so you don't want to use it all the time if its not necessary.
Benedryl is typically safe for use in dogs, but consult with a veterinarian for dosage and frequency specific to your pup.
Not all itching is due to skin allergies, which is generally the reason you give Benedryl. Sometimes, different kind of skin infections or ringworm can cause itching, which would require a different treatment. As Walt said, always discuss these issues with your vet ahead of time before giving any medication over-the-counter.
Yes, but you'll want to check with your vet.
We give both of our dogs a Sudafed 'generic'. The name is Allergy Relief. You can get it at WalMart. It has helped our dogs greatly! They could not stop itching, all day and all night. This helped them.
Sudafed and Benadryl aren't the same thing! Sudafed is (usually) pseudoephedrine (but it can be other meds or combinations) and Benadryl is (usually) diphenhydramine. Check generic names on anything before you substitute. Do this for your human family too.