Can Benedryl Be Given To Dogs Twice A Day?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the safe dosage is 2-4 milligrams of medication per kilogram of weight, or 0.9 to 1.8 milligrams per pound. This amount can be administered

two to three times daily

, depending on your dog’s symptoms.

How long should I wait between Benadryl doses for dogs?

As an approximate guideline, the maximum dosage of Benadryl for dogs is 1mg for every 1 pound of the dog’s body weight, given 2-3 times per day, about

8-12 hours

apart.

Can I give my dog Benadryl every day?

The best way to determine the correct Benadryl dosage for dogs is to consult your veterinarian. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends administering 2-4 milligrams of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight,

two to three times a day

.

How long does it take for Benadryl to work in dogs?

Benadryl or Diphenhydramine is typically thought to be a fast-acting medication for dogs. You can expect it to take effect in

1 to 2 hours

but often times it will begin to work in under an hour.

What can you give a dog for severe itching?

  • Coconut oil.
  • Oatmeal baths.
  • Apple cider vinegar and water mix.
  • Chamomile and green tea soak.
  • Baking soda and water paste.
  • Aloe vera gel.

How much Benadryl can I give a 50lb dog?

You should give

50 mg

of Benadryl to a 50 lb dog, either as two 25 mg tablets, four 12.5 mg chewable tablets, or 20 ml of a Benadryl liquid form (12.5 mg/5 ml).

Can you give a dog Benadryl for itching?


Benadryl is safe to give your dog for allergies, anxiety, motion sickness, and vaccine side effects

. Though a typical Benadryl pill is 25 mg, you should only give your dog 0.9-1.8 mg per pound of weight. Make sure that the Benadryl you’re giving your dog only contains diphenhydramine.

What is the best antihistamine for dog allergies?

Best allergy medicine for pet allergies
Claritin (loratadine)


10 mg orally once per day

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Allegra (fexofenadine) 180 mg orally once per day, or 60 mg twice per day Get coupon Zyrtec (cetirizine) 5 mg and 10 mg tablets (also available as a syrup and chewable) Get coupon

What happens if I give my dog too much Benadryl?


Aggression and agitation

can also be a symptom of Benadryl overdose. Other potential side effects include: Severe lethargy. Abnormal heart rate or blood pressure.

Can dogs be on Benadryl long term?


Some dogs may even take Benadryl once daily as a long-term therapy to mild allergies

. Usually, these dogs receive Benadryl or diphenhydramine once daily. Although Benadryl is a safe drug, overdosing is possible.

Why is Benadryl not helping my dog?

Histamines cause upper respiratory allergies in people, whereas cytokines (not histamines) cause itchy skin in dogs. For dogs with underlying allergies,

antihistamines don’t control the cytokines (signaling proteins) that cause inflammation and itch

.

What can I give my dog to calm him down?

Your vet might recommend

antidepressant medication

for your pup that can greatly reduce their anxiety. Antidepressants — such as amitriptyline or fluoxetine (Prozac) — can be prescribed for dogs with severe anxiety. Sometimes vets will prescribe sedatives for dogs who experience situational anxiety.

Can I give my dog Benadryl to calm him down?


You can give a dog Benadryl, but it is not the best solution for when you need to calm him down

. While Benadryl is generally safe for dogs in correct doses, this shouldn’t be your first option when dealing with a very active, or even an anxious, dog.

Can I use Benadryl instead of Apoquel?

Apoquel vs. Benadryl, which is the best dog medication for itching? The best medicine of these two products is dependent on your unique needs.

If your dog is exhibiting mild itchiness, which comes and goes, then your best option is Benadryl

.

Why is my dog so itchy but has no fleas?

If your dog is still itching, but he doesn’t have fleas or a food allergy,

he may have some environmental allergies to things like pollen or dander

. A nutrition change may not do much in the way of relief, but your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic food to improve your dog’s skin health.

Which is better Apoquel or Cytopoint?

The main difference is the method of administration.

Cytopoint is an, on average, once a month injection into the skin. Apoquel, on the other hand, requires daily oral dosing

. Additionally, Cytopoint was specifically created to target itch associated with atopic (environmental) allergies.

Can I give my dog 75 mg of Benadryl?

This equates to 1 to 2 mg per pound of body weight. The most common dose of Benadryl for dogs is 1 mg per pound. For example, a 25-pound dog would receive 25 mg per dose and

a 75-pound dog would receive 75 mg per dose

.

What kind of Benadryl is safe for dogs?

Most diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets are 25 mg, which would be the appropriate size for a 25-pound dog. Smaller dogs will require you to cut or divide these 25-mg pills. In this case,

children’s Benadryl in the chewable tablets

may be a good option. These come in dosages of 12.5 mg.

How much Benadryl do I give a 45 pound dog?

Very Small Dogs (4-10 pounds): 1/4 tablet Small Dogs (10-20 pounds): 1/2 tablet Medium Dogs (20-30 pounds): 1 tablet Larger dogs:

1 tablet per 25 pounds body weight

Why is my dog itching so much?

Pruritus due to skin disease is one of the most common reasons dog owners seek veterinary care.

Flea allergy dermatitis, seasonal allergies or atopy, food allergies, contact dermatitis (e.g., soaps and perfumes), and sarcoptic mange (mites)

are some of the most common causes of pruritus in dogs.

How long does it take for Benadryl to work?

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) starts to work pretty quickly. You can expect to it to kick in within about

15 to 30 minutes

. Its full effects can be felt around 2 hours after your dose. Can diphenhydramine (Benadryl) be used long-term?

How long does an allergic reaction last in dogs?

The swelling occurs 30 minutes to a few hours after the exposure. A veterinarian will often give dogs with this reaction an antihistamine injection. Untreated, it may take

a day or two

for the swelling to subside. A different reaction we see 6 to 24 hours after exposure to the antigen is hives.

Is Benadryl or Zyrtec better for dogs?


Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is the most popular antihistamine for humans and can be effective for dogs as well

. Just be aware that Benadryl has sedative properties, so your dog could get very drowsy. Other safe antihistamines for dogs include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine).

What do vets prescribe for dog allergies?


Cytopoint injections and Apoquel (oral)

are two popular medication options that provide long-lasting skin allergy relief. They are available only by prescription from a veterinarian who can determine whether either treatment is right for your pet.

Can I give my dog Zyrtec in the morning and Benadryl at night?

Both are antihistamines and giving them together may cause stronger side effects.

It is NOT recommended

. Give one or the other based on your dog’s weight and only under the advice of your veterinarian.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.