Allergies are as common to pets as it is to humans. More importantly, allergies are common problem for dogs.
Whenever a dog experiences allergies, it becomes hard for owners to watch them go through their suffering and pain. While many would think that simply patting the dogs back or belly does the trick, because it seems to give a moment of comfort to dogs it actually doesn’t.
Fortunately there is a sure way to deal with the problem and it doesn’t involve a simple back rub – its Benadryl for dogs.
Yes, you heard it right – Benadryl for dogs! While Benadryl has been a proven antihistamine for humans which is sold over the counter, it can also be used to treat dog’s allergies.
Using Benadryl for dogs
Use of Benadryl to treat dog’s allergies is complete safe because it contains ingredients that relieve allergies. These active ingredients are called diphenhydramine which is safe for pets when ingested.
Its primary purpose is to relieve any symptom of allergic reactions, insect bites, anxiety, motion sickness, and various other pains which dogs may be enduring. It provides immediate solution to pain and relaxes the dog.
Although Benadryl has been effective for treating dog allergies, there had been recent complications which occurred with the use of this medicine.
So when using this medication on your dog, it is best to observe your pet in the first hour of dosage. Observe the dog for any symptoms such as rashes and irritation on the skin, dizziness, change in behavior and many others.
The moment you detect these changes, immediately let the dog drink water and stop using the medication.
While Benadryl surely is effective for treating allergies, there are certain cases where this medication may not be the best solution. Whenever in doubt on the use of this medicine on your pet, you can simply seek the advice of a professional or a vet.
Diphenhydramine: The Active Benadryl Ingredient
Among the potent ingredients found in Benadryl is Diphenhydramine. This is the primary antihistamine substance which reduces the histamine effects on the body.
While this active ingredient effectively suppresses histamine in the dogs body, it also relieves runny nose, rashes on the skin, itchiness, motion sickness, soreness, and many other symptoms of allergies.
Dos and Don’ts When Using Benadryl for Dogs
Using Benadryl for dog allergies is not the same as how it is used on humans. There are a couple of dos and don’ts in its use.
The Dos
Do not give the drug to your dog if it is not tested. To test the drug, you can let your dog have small amounts and observe for a few hours. If there are no symptoms, you can then add more dosage.
Just like how you take Benadryl for humans, the same will be for dogs. With this we mean a full stomach. Only give have your dog take the medicine after eating.
Dogs have sensitive noses and the smell of medicine may not be comfortable to them. This provides the challenge of treating your dog as they do not want to ingest any medicine. To deal with this problem, simply break the tablet into smaller pieces and add to their normal food.
Professional help should be sought after whenever you are unsure of what to do next after your dog takes the medication but still encounters the same symptoms after few hours.
The Don’ts
Never give medication right away to your dog without prescription from a professional. While some dogs may have a good reaction to Benadryl, it may be too potent for other breed of dogs. It is always best to seek professional help for this.
Don’t use sinus medications which humans use. Many cold or sinus medications come with added substances which may be dangerous for dogs.
Never go for the liquid form of Benadryl. This for the reason that it has a high concentration which can cause liver damage to dogs. Always go for the tablet since it is easy to use, can be broken down to pieces for easy ingestion and is also much cheaper than liquid form of Benadryl.
If you are not satisfied with the results, do not overdose or exceed the allowed dosage. Having to overdose your dog with Benadryl doesn’t energize your dog and can cause many health issues which can even be fatal.
While Benadryl is completely recommended for dog’s allergies, it is advised to use it sparingly. With the details mentioned in this article, you’ll be sure to manage the use of Benadryl anytime whenever your dog needs it.
