Can I Give My Dog Benadryl Capsules?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Never use time-release capsules for dogs

, as capsules are absorbed differently in dogs than in humans and may affect your dog’s dosage. They may also break open when chewed and deliver too much medication at one time, putting your dog at risk of an overdose.

Can I open a Benadryl capsule?


Do not crush or chew extended-release tablets or capsules

. Doing so can release all of the drug at once, increasing the risk of side effects. Also, do not split extended-release tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so.

How many capsules of Benadryl can I give my dog?

Benadryl Tablets

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the standard dose for Benadryl is 2-4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, or 0.9-1.8 milligrams (mg) of Benadryl per pound. Therefore, a simple and practical dose is

1 mg of Benadryl per pound of your dog’s weight, given 2-3 times a day

.

How much Benadryl can a 30 pound dog have?

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

How much Benadryl can I give my 40 lb dog?

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.

Can I give my dog 50 mg of Benadryl?


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).

Will Benadryl make a dog sleepy?


One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness

, which helps to calm anxious dogs. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that diphenhydramine may relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety in pets associated with travel.

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 is the difference between Benadryl capsules and tablets?

Tablets have a longer shelf life and come in a variety of forms. They can also accommodate a higher dose of an active ingredient than a capsule. They tend to be slower acting and, in some cases, may disintegrate unevenly in your body. Capsules act quickly and most, if not all, of the drug is absorbed.

What is Benadryl capsule?

Diphenhydramine is

an antihistamine used to relieve symptoms of allergy, hay fever, and the common cold

. These symptoms include rash, itching, watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, cough, runny nose, and sneezing. It is also used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness caused by motion sickness.

What are the ingredients in Benadryl capsules?

  • Ingredient Name. Diphenhydramine HCl 25 mg.
  • Ingredient Purpose.
  • Inactive Ingredients. carnauba wax, croscarmellose sodium, D&C red no. 27 aluminum lake, dibasic calcium phosphate, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide.

Can I give my dog Benadryl every day?

You can give your dog Benadryl (diphenhydramine)

2-3 times daily at 1mg per pound of body weight

. For instance, a 12-pound dog can receive 12mg, which is equal to one children’s Benadryl or 1⁄2 an adult dose. A 50-pound dog would need 50mg, or two adult Benadryl. Benadryl may cause drowsiness.

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.

Which antihistamine is best for dogs?

Also recommended as an antihistamine for dogs is

clemastine fumarate

. It is one of the most effective antihistamines for dogs that suffer from itchy skin.

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 often can you give a dog Benadryl for itching?

Official Answer. The general dose of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is 2 to 4 mg/kg

up to three times day

. If your dog weighs 25 lbs (11.3 kg) the dose of Benadryl would be 22.6mg to 45.2mg up to three times a day.

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.

How much Benadryl can an 80 pound dog have?

Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) Max Dose (every 8-12 hours) Dog Weight Tablet (mg) Children’s Liquid (ml) 70 lbs – 80 lbs 70 mg – 80 mg 28 ml – 32 ml 80 lbs – 90 lbs

80 mg – 90 mg


32 ml – 36 ml
90 lb – 100 lbs 90 mg – 100 mg 32 ml – 36 ml

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 happens if I give my dog too much Benadryl?

Overdose. An overdose can be fatal. If your dog eats too much Benadryl, call the emergency vet or poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435 right away. Symptoms of overdose include

dilated pupils, constipation, rapid heartbeat, behavioral changes, and seizures

.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.