The good news: It’s also OK to give to dogs.
Can a dog have Benadryl®? Yes!
In the proper dosage, Benadryl is safe for dogs and can help relieve:
- dog allergies
- the after-effects of vaccinations
- reactions to flea bites, bee stings or hornet and wasp stings
- ‘hot spots’ on the skin or itching
- motion sickness for dogs – so it’s perfect for that long car ride
- sometimes your Vet may recommend a daily low-dosage to treat anxiety problems
The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine.
Always check with your Vet
Although many websites recommend Benadryl as an important part of your dog first aid kit, others say you should ask your Vet before you give it to your pet. So why not make this a must-ask at your next Vet appointment and get your Vet’s advice on when and how much Benadryl to give, should the need ever arise.
Benadryl dosage for dogs
The rule of thumb for Benadryl for dogs, is 1 mg, per pound of the dog, every 8 hours. However, Benadryl comes in tablet form, in a 25 mg dosage. For a small dog like a Morkie you might need just 4 or 5 mg and it would be impossible to accurately divide a pill into 5 pieces…. So the liquid form is recommended
Children’s BENADRYL® Liquid does not contain any dyes or alcohol and can be accurately measured with a special eyedropper or syringe without the needle.
For dogs under 10 pounds: ½ tsp. (2.5 mL) every 4 to 6 hours
For dogs over 10 pounds: 1 tsp. (5 mL) every 4 to 6 hours
To measure accurately, get an eye dropper, or syringe without the needle, with measurement markings.
Here’s a handy Benadryl dosage chart for dogs, that you can download free
Do NOT use these types of Benadryl
They are not safe for your dog.
Generic or no-name Benadryl
Benadryl tablets
Congestion Relief
Sugar-free Benadryl
Children's Cough Relief
Side effects of Benadryl
Your dog will get sleepy and may be more thirsty than normal. Some food before the Benadryl is a good idea. Other less-common possible side effects include:
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- loss of appetite
- hyperexcitability
- sedation effect
Do Not Use Benadryl IF:
- your Morkie has:
- hyperthyroidism
- glaucoma
- high blood pressure
- chronic lung disease
- bladder disorders
- your dog is on other medications
- your Morkie is under 4 months old
- your dog is pregnant or nursing
Use these only - Children's Genuine Benadryl liquid
These packages are all sugar-free, children’s liquid Benadryl
This site provides general information and should not be considered medical advice. You should always check with your Veterinarian prior to choosing a treatment option for your pet.
BENADRYL® is a registered trademark of Johnson & Johnson