Sometimes pet parents will give their dogs Benadryl to creatively leverage this side effect—for car travel, during Fourth of July fireworks, or other occasions where the dog needs a mild sedative “to take the edge off.” While sleepiness is a side effect, Benadryl is not actually an effective sleep aid by any means.
The correct dosage of diphenhydramine for dogs depends on their weight. A small dog will need much less than a big dog to receive the same positive effects. 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.
Benadryl Dose for Dogs
Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook recommends giving a standard dosage of 25 milligrams for a 25-pound dog two to three times per day. As a general rule of thumb, use 1 milligram per pound of your dog's body weight. For example, a 50-pound dog would be given two 25 milligram tablets.
Benadryl may be a good dog sedative for car travel, as it also helps with mild car sickness. Dry mouth or an increased heart rate are fairly common side effects. Rarely, some dogs will have an atypical response and be excitable rather than sedate.
Can I give my dog human Benadryl? Yes. Benadryl is an over-the-counter medication that is labeled for humans but is generally considered safe for dogs in the appropriate dosage. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog any medication.
Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps calm your pet when it is nervous about clipping its nails. Melatonin supplements: Help regulate body rhythm and help calm down your dog. Natural sedation methods: Herbs like California poppy, chamomile, rosemary, or valerian are natural relaxants.
Other safe antihistamines for dogs include Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine). They produce less sedation than Benadryl does but could still make your dog drowsy. Warning: Make sure your OTC allergy medicine only contains antihistamines.
The most common type of sleep medication given to pets is diazepam (Valium®), although longer acting benzodiazepines may be used (eg temazepam). The symptoms of cognitive dysfunction are sometimes treated with a drug called selegiline.
The euthanasia medication most vets use is pentobarbital, a seizure medication. In large doses, it quickly renders the pet unconscious. It shuts down their heart and brain functions usually within one or two minutes. It is usually given by an IV injection in one of their legs.
Veterinarians may recommend melatonin to treat dogs experiencing stress and anxiety, sleeping problems, or certain medical conditions. Melatonin may be suggested in addition to other treatments for these issues because of its potential effects on sleep and behavior.
It will usually take 30 minutes for Benadryl to take full effect, and you want your pup calm and anxious-free. In terms of what form of Benadryl, that's entirely up to your vet. It doesn't really matter if you use the brand name medication or not.
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.
Children's Chewable or Liquid Benadryl® for Dogs
Children's chewable or liquid Benadryl® are good options for tiny dogs. A full chewable children's tablet contains only 12.5 mg of diphenhydramine and can be cut in half for dogs that weigh less than 10 pounds.
Sedatives are usually administered orally or injected into a dog's veins; it all depends on the required level of sedation. For oral sedation, acepromazine is most commonly prescribed by vets. Injectable sedatives include Telazol, dexmedetomidine, or a combination of acepromazine and butorphanol.
Although Benadryl is not currently on the FDA's list of approved drugs for veterinary use, it is generally considered safe to give to dogs. As long as your dog does not suffer from any pre-existing serious medication conditions, it is safe to give your dog Benadryl.
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), melatonin is a safe supplement to give to your dog.
Your veterinarian may prescribe oral anti-anxiety or sedative medications you can give to your dog at home, but obtaining sedative drugs requires a consultation with your veterinarian. You should only administer other at-home medications like Benadryl under the direction of your veterinarian.
Natural Dog Health Remedies suggests valerian, chamomile, and passionflower have calming properties effective in helping canine insomnia. Combine equal parts of valerian and passionflower (or chamomile) and give 4 to 8 drops of the herbal mixture to your dog (depending on his size).
There are different methods of sedation, but most dogs and cats will be given a combination of anesthetic drugs in large doses. These drugs are usually injected under the skin, as this is the least painful way we have of administering them.
Can you give a dog sleeping pills? It is not advisable to give your dog sleeping pills, unless under the direct supervision of your veterinarian. Giving your dog your own medication runs the risk of unwanted side effects like hyperactivity and agitation.
While melatonin has proven beneficial in the management of certain endocrine disorders, it is a helpful adjunct in canine stress disorders. Therefore, melatonin is offered as an over-the-counter recommendation for the dog with hospital associated aggression and anxiety (Table 1).
The most common side effects of antihistamines in dogs include sedation and drowsiness. This is more commonly noticed with first-generation antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®). Newer generation antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec® or Reactine®) have less of a sedating effect.
Zyrtec is one of the few antihistamines that do not cause drowsiness for most dogs, though there are some exceptions. If Zyrtec makes your dog sleepy, try giving it to them before bedtime to see if that helps their energy levels during the day.
Primarily it's the choice of the client to ask for a stronger drug that sedates your dog more so he grooming is completed but may cause side effects, or the client ask the groomer to work on the whole behaviour modification process that takes longer but works on the underlying problem.