So, your furry friend is experiencing some anxiety when it comes to the car. Maybe they’re itching, biting, growling, whining, drooling, or any other uncomfortable symptom that points to their nerves being on a high.
Not only is it difficult to see your dog experiencing anxiety while on a road trip, but it’s also pretty difficult to manage when you’re trying to focus on the road.
So, let’s say you’re on a long road trip, you haven’t yet had the time to properly begin anxiety training, or you just need something that will help your dog quickly…
Will Benadryl help a dog with car anxiety?
The short answer is yes, but within reason. Benadryl will help to relieve the symptoms of car anxiety in dogs. However, Benadryl is not a cure for anxiety and should only be used temporarily under the advisement of a veterinarian.
If you’d like to know more about how Benadryl may be helpful for dog car anxiety, keep reading to learn more. We’re going to share with you everything you should consider prior to giving your dog Benadryl for car anxiety.
What is Benadryl?
First and foremost, it’s important to note that Benadryl was originally created and is still marketed for human consumption. Benadryl is not approved by the FDA for safe veterinary use, although it is commonly considered to be safe for both cats and dogs.
Many veterinary clinics across the United States will still reference and recommend Benadryl for the treatment of allergies, illnesses and anxiety in dogs. But, it’s important to note that anything that is not approved by the FDA cannot necessarily be guaranteed 100% safe. Now, is it okay to calm your dog with the medication? Most likely.
Benadryl is an over-the-counter allergy and cold medication that can reduce the effects of histamine in the body. Histamine is a natural chemical compound that is released in response to body injury, allergic reactions, or inflammatory reactions.
Benadryl can help to calm the hives your body has initiated in response to an allergic reaction, for example. It’s been around for quite some time and typically has commonplace in middle-America’s medicine cabinets. So, if you would give it to yourself, can you give it to your dog?
Benadryl can definitely help relieve your dog from pain or discomfort in a number of circumstances, including but not limited to:
- Itching
- Hives
- Swelling and inflammation
- Coughing and sneezing
- Anxiety
- Motion Sickness
As you can see, Benadryl is a solid treatment for allergies and colds in dogs, as well as anxiety. Because our focus is primarily on car anxiety and nervousness, we’ll dive deep into those circumstances, which can oftentimes be more difficult to treat than the common cold.
Benadryl for Pet Anxiety
When it comes to anxiety, Benadryl can really aid in calming your furry friend and relieving some of their associated symptoms, such as hives or drooling. Benadryl works best with dogs who have mild to moderate travel-induced anxiety, but it’s definitely worth a shot if you’re still trying to gauge your dog’s anxiety needs.
Just as it is with people, drowsiness is typically the most common side effect of taking the medication. Oftentimes the drowsiness will help to calm your dog further, induce sleepiness and help to make the puppy car ride a whole lot easier.
Benadryl is also recommended as a treatment worth trying when it comes to motion sickness in dogs. When all is said and done, it’s pretty common practice to try Benadryl when calming your dog, especially during a stressful car ride. With that said, as long as the dosage is appropriate for your furry friend, you can both rest easy.
Benadryl Dosages for Dogs
When it comes to Benadryl dosage, common practice is 1 mg per pound of body weight. The standard capsule size for Benadryl is 25 mg (although you will want to double check with your own package). With that said, one full capsule would be the appropriate amount for a 25 pound dog. You can split and add capsules as needed to match your dog’s body weight.
Once you’ve calculated the appropriate dosage for your dog, you can provide this dosage orally two to three times a day. Here’s a little table to help break it down further:
| Benadryl Dosage for Dogs | |
|---|---|
| 1 mg = 1 pound of body weight | |
| 25 mg = 1 standard Benadryl capsule | |
| 12.5 pound dog | 1/2 Benadryl capsule |
| 25 pound dog | 1 Benadryl capsule |
| 37.5 pound dog | 1 1/2 Benadryl capsules |
| 50 pounds or more | 2 Benadryl tablets |
**PLEASE NOTE: Some Benadryl formulations are mixed with other pain relief substances such as Tylenol. Make sure the Benadryl you provide your dog with contains only diphenhydramine (the primary active ingredient in Benadryl).
If your dog exceeds 50 pounds, start by providing them with a 50mg dosage and gauge the effects of the medicine. From there you can build their dosage according to their bodyweight if necessary.
Benadryl is most commonly distributed in the tablet or capsule form when being administered to pets. Liquid Benadryl is an available option to mix in with your dog’s food in order to administer the medication, however you must consult your veterinarian first. ONLY provide the liquid Benadryl to your pet if your vet deems it safe to do so.
Do Your Research
We also left a disclaimer with the above table that some Benadryl formulas are mixed with Tylenol or similar substances to provide further pain relief for human consumption. Make sure the Benadryl you give to your furry friend includes only the active ingredient for Benadryl, diphenhydramine.
It is possible to overdose on Benadryl, so be sure to take their dosage seriously before administering to your dog. Dilated pupils, constipation, agitation, or seizures are all symptoms of a Benadryl overdose. Keep an eye out for these symptoms, and if your dog is experiencing any, contact your veterinarian or pet health professional right away.
Contact Your Vet First
If your dog is a puppy, you must contact your veterinarian before administering Benadryl to them. Dogs less than one year may have difficulty handling the drug in their system, so you should definitely get clearance from your pet professional.
If your dog is on any other medications, you must contact your vet before providing your dog with Benadryl as well. Mixing medications together without contacting your dog’s health professional can cause a variety of issues, severe side effects, and maybe even worsen their condition. If your dog has any past health conditions, or has been or is pregnant, it’s also a good idea to check with your vet beforehand.
In general, it’s not a bad idea to consult with your veterinarian before distributing anything new to your dog. Though it can be a hassle, it’s best to rest assured that Benadryl is safe for your furry loved ones before trying to administer it on that long car ride. Some symptoms can point to other, more serious conditions, such as glaucoma or certain skin diseases. Benadryl can worsen certain conditions, such as glaucoma, so it’s important to consult with your vet before administering. Benadryl is also ineffective on certain skin diseases and other common eye issues.
With all that said, it’s best to get clearance before using Benadryl to treat your dog for anxiety. Discuss their experience and symptoms beforehand with your vet.
In some cases, they may have alternative treatments such as ointments or medications that can work better or work alongside with Benadryl to treat your dog’s specific condition. Some conditions will require a blend of medications to help your dog accordingly. Your vet may even ask to see your dog for a check-up before giving official clearance on Benadryl – but better safe than sorry, right?
Side Effects of Benadryl in Dogs
It’s also important to be aware of the side effects your dog may experience after taking Benadryl. Most commonly, your dog may experience drowsiness, which could actually help to make the car ride easier on both you and your pet. Other side effects may include:
- Drooling
- Dry mouth
- Increased heart rate
- Rapid breathing
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Decreased or increased appetite
Sometimes, Benadryl can have an inverse effect on your dog and actually make them more hyper and energetic. It may be a good idea to try a Benadryl treatment on your dog before your next car ride once you’ve gotten clearance from your vet.
It can be a little daunting to look at all the warning labels and symptoms on any medicine, and we know you want the best for your fur baby. If your dog is experiencing anxiety and nervousness in the car, Benadryl could very well be a solid option when it comes to treating their anxiety-induced symptoms and helping to calm them down.
It’s definitely worth a try, and plenty of pet owners have administered the medication to their pet in the appropriate dosage and found their road trips to be significantly easier to manage.
In Conclusion
As long as you are sure to cover your bases with a call to your vet, and maybe even a test run before that cross-country road trip, there’s certainly nothing wrong with giving Benadryl a try for your dog.
Make that next car ride peaceful and uneventful for both you and them – you may even come to envy their Benadryl-induced nap! I hope this article has been helpful. Thanks for reading!