{"id":59779,"date":"2023-08-28T10:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-08-28T14:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=59779"},"modified":"2024-11-12T19:25:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:25:42","slug":"benadryl-for-cats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/benadryl-for-cats\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you give cats Benadryl?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Benadryl<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>diphenhydramine hydrochloride in its generic form,<\/span> is an antihistamine commonly prescribed to treat <\/span>allergy<\/span><\/a> symptoms like a runny nose, sneezing, or itching. Additionally, brand-name Benadryl is an antiemetic, which means it can help reduce nausea and vomiting, and it can be used as a sleep aid or anti-anxiety medication (thanks to its side effect of drowsiness).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may be surprised to learn that Benadryl isn\u2019t just for humans in the household. Read on to see what veterinarians recommend about treating your cat\u2019s allergies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you give cats Benadryl?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Found over the counter, Benadryl can be given to cats for allergies or other health issues. There are many forms of Benadryl, including liquid, topical, and tablet, and some will work better than others to meet your pet\u2019s needs. Much like in humans, cats can take Benadryl to treat allergies, nausea, sleep, and anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Allergies<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u201cBenadryl is most often used for cats to help with sudden allergic reactions, such as a bee sting,\u201d says <\/span>Chyrle Bonk, DVM<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>an Idaho-based veterinarian and cat expert at<\/span> Cat World<\/span><\/a>. \u201cIt can also be used long term for other types of allergies, but it has varying success.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Cat allergy symptoms are similar to those of humans with allergies: a runny nose, sneezing, itching, and\/or upper respiratory issues. Cats can also have itchy, irritated skin due to allergies. Depending on what they are allergic to, cats may have these allergy symptoms seasonally, like during spring, or year-round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl works well as an allergy medication because it \u201ccan help decrease the mucus in your cat’s nose and help with upper respiratory issues due to grass and pollen,\u201d says <\/span>Sara Ochoa, DVM<\/span><\/a>, a <\/span>veterinarian in Louisiana<\/span>. But not all allergy medications for humans are recommended for cats\u2014and you shouldn\u2019t give anything without first checking with your veterinarian.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Anti-nausea<\/span><\/h3>\n

Benadryl also has <\/span>antiemetic properties, meaning it can prevent vomiting. This can be helpful if you have a pet that gets motion sick while traveling in the car or plane. <\/span>Dramamine<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>dimenhydrinate<\/span><\/a>) is a common over-the-counter motion sickness medication that is similar to Benadryl and is also prescribed to cats for motion sickness.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/b> Do cats get car sick?<\/b><\/a>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

Sleep or anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n

Because Benadryl can cause drowsiness, many pet owners use the mild sedative to their advantage. A vet-approved recommended dose of the med, can work as a sleep aid before long travel or a calming Rx if your pet is very anxious and needs to rest. Some pets even take Benadryl to sedate them slightly before visiting the veterinarian.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>While they do not get as sleepy as humans,\u201d Dr. Ochoa says, \u201ccats will tend to sleep a little more on days when they have taken Benadryl.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl dosage for cats<\/span><\/h2>\n

Always check with your veterinarian before giving your cat Benadryl. They will determine if it\u2019s right for your cat and help you calculate the proper dosage of Benadryl.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe amount of Benadryl that you give your cat will be prescribed by your veterinarian,\u201d Dr. Bonk says. \u201cThe dose will depend on their weight, what you\u2019re trying to treat, and any health conditions they have.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That being said, Dr. Ochoa says that a typical dosage is 1 mg per pound, every eight to 12 hours. \u201cSo, a 12-pound cat would need to take about half of an adult 25 mg tablet,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

The correct dosage will also depend on what format you use. Dr. Bonk says giving <\/span>liquid Benadryl<\/span><\/a> is often easier than pill form and you can get a more accurate dosage. Oral Benadryl will begin working half an hour to an hour after ingestion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTablets can take a few hours to reach peak levels in your cat\u2019s body,\u201d Dr. Ochoa says, so plan accordingly if you\u2019re using Benadryl before a plane or car ride to optimize the effects.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl also can be given as an injection, which is a good way to get it into your cat\u2019s system quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

Benadryl for cats’ side effects<\/span><\/h2>\n

Besides the sometimes beneficial side effect of sleepiness, there are several other possible side effects of Benadryl. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n