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.
Benadryl dosage for dogs
The usual dosage is about 1 mg per pound, two to three times daily. Veterinarians often recommend that people start with a half dose to see how much it sedates the dog the first time.
Benadryl dosage for dogs.
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.
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).
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.
Benadryl: This mild antihistamine sedative helps keep your pet calm 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.
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.
Benadryl Tablets
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.
Liquid children's formula is easier for measuring the proper dosage for smaller dogs than tablets, and can be given at a dosage of 0.4 mL/lb. Stick to the children's formula of liquid Benadryl as the adult version contains alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. Additionally, avoid grape flavored formulations.
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.
Children's liquid Benadryl can be used for small dogs using the same dosage. Avoid the adult formula of liquid Benadryl, as this often contains alcohol, which is toxic to dogs. As with any flavored human medication, always check the inactive ingredients for xylitol, a sweetener that is extremely toxic to dogs.
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.
The most common dose given to a 60-pound dog is 1 mg per pound. Because it commonly comes in 25 and 50 mg sizes, a dose of 50 mg would be a good starting point.
The same clinical functions Benadryl has in humans is also active in dogs. Keeping pet safety and your vets advice in mind, Benadryl for dogs can work to treat seasonal allergies, food allergies, or skin allergies.
While it's uncommon, your dog can experience an overdose of Benadryl which can be fatal. If you see any of the following symptoms or believe that your dog may be experiencing an overdose, contact your veterinarian immediately.
The main side effect is sleeping. This staying in their system for 8 to 12 hours. Benadryl is usually well tolerated by dogs.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is an over-the-counter product well-tolerated by dogs and can have a mild sedative effect. Be sure to check with your vet for dosage recommendations.
A sedative allows your dog to relax properly. This makes the entire process as easy for them as falling asleep. The sedative can take 5-10 minutes to take effect, depending on the type of medicine and your dog's size.
Melatonin is commonly used as a sleep aid, and is sometimes used to treat certain hair disorders, cognitive dysfunction and separation anxiety in dogs, as well as sleep cycle disorders in dogs and cats. Generally, it is very safe, with lethargy and stomach upset being a potential issue in cases of 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.
In some rare cases, your dog may also experience diarrhea, vomiting, and an increase or decrease in appetite. You may also notice that Benadryl does, in fact, make your dog sleepy.
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. Benadryl tablets are available in 25mg and 50mg strength.