This Weekend’s Reaction: Benadryl for Dogs

Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication commonly used to provide relief for dogs experiencing symptoms related to allergies. However, it’s essential to understand the proper dosage and potential side effects before giving Benadryl to your dog. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about using Benadryl for dogs, including dosage guidelines and safety precautions.

The short answer you’re looking for is Yes! You can use Benadryl for dogs that are having an allergic reaction. It’s always challenging when you have a pet that seems to be allergic to everything. As you know by now, Norman has been on one medication or another for several years.

He gets bathed, wiped, and slathered in creams just to maintain DEFCON Level 4 of itchiness (We’ve never been at DEFCON 5 when it comes to his allergies – we are always on alert).

Rough Weekend

This weekend, Norman had a quite a reaction. We think he might have eaten something when he went outside. He was extremely itchy and had developed welts all over his chest and shoulders.

He had scratched so much that his belly had become swollen and very red. For a few days he wouldn’t eat his food and he also vomited once. So best we could tell, his stomach was upset.

I took him to the vet but our normal doctors weren’t working and since we didn’t have an appointment, they wouldn’t see him. Apparently it would have taken the new doctor 45 minutes to go through Norman’s records. Here is a picture of his reaction:

Has your dog ever had a reaction like this?

I brought Norman back home and we give him a Benadryl. He had already taken his daily Apoquel, however these seem to have lost their effectiveness.

If you’re wondering about the appropriate dosage of Benadryl for dogs, it is approximately 1 mg per pound every four to six hours. The pills are 25 mg, and Norman is about 23 pounds so 1 pill is about right for him. If you have a pup that weighs about 12 – 15 pounds, try starting with half a pill.

We gave him another one four hours later and soon we started to see some improvement. That afternoon we gave him a bath and put some lavender oil in the water. And then of course we rubbed coconut oil on him after we dried him off.

The next day he looked much better. We have an appointment to take him to the vet this weekend.

The Dog Allergy Testing Kit

If you’re really interested in finding out what is causing these reactions in your dog, you should look at allergy testing.

There is a test you can order from 5 Strands Affordable Testing that you can do yourself at home. We did it, and we found out that Norman’s food had several allergens that were causing issues for him.

For the price, this is the cheapest and fastest way to improve your dogs situation.

It really is a great way to help your pet. AND We got the results in 1 week!

Hopefully your itchy frenchies are doing well this week. This time of year can be tough for our dogs’ skin so be sure you are being proactive with your allergy care. Once you get behind, it can take a while for your pup to feel comfortable again.

Benadryl can be a useful medication for treating skin allergies in dogs, but it’s essential to consult with your veterinarian first. They can determine the appropriate dosage for your dog and help you identify any underlying health issues that may be contributing to their allergies. Additionally, it’s important to monitor your dog closely for any adverse reactions or side effects. With proper guidance and care, Benadryl can help alleviate your dog’s discomfort and improve their overall quality of life.