My Dog and Benadryl?

Question

I have a 90 pound labrador and I was wondering if I could give her a benadryl for constant scratching? Do you think its okay?

Answer 1

I have been told that it is ok. But, before giving your dog anything please consult your vet first. That should be a must before giving your dog or puppy anything new.

Answer 2

Yup. It will be fine. Give her one to start and then if it doesn't help and she doesnt have any adverse reactions increase to another. Call the vet to maek sure the benedryl tablets to weight ratio before you give a third. I know my 72 lb boxer was allowed 2 for sure.

Answer 3

Call your vet.  How long has the scratching been going on? It is ok to give dogs benedryl cause the vet had me give our dachshund when her face and neck started swelling. He gave me directions on how much and when to give another dose. It's so much for the weight of the pet. Her swelling went down by the next evening with no side effects. Good luck and I hope your lab starts to feeling better.

Answer 4

It depends on what your vet thinks. Mine has recommended children's benedryl for my 8 lb chinese crested, and she does fine on it. You should ask you vet first though for dosing. (I use 1/2 tsp for her)

Answer 5

  Contact your vet!!!

People on here are not veterinarians and shouldnt tell you to do that.  So contact your vet and they will give you the proper advice

Answer 6

If the itching is from allergies from pollen,dust and other environmental irritants, then you can try Benadryl. The dosage for dogs is 1mg per 1 pound of dog, so if your dog is 25 lbs, then one pill at 25 mgs. It is relatively safe but I've also found that Clemastine (Tavist) works better. If the symptoms do not resolve or get better in 2 weeks, then have the vet prescribe something stronger. You may also have to do allergy testing to find the culprit of the itching.

Answer 7

Your dog could be scratching for number of reasons. You should probably take her to the vet first.

Edit: Yes, I have given my dog benadryl... but only AFTER he was seen by his vet and after we were given proper dosing instructions.

Answer 8

Double check with your vet (I don't know if your dog has any other issues) but typically, Benadryl is fine for dogs.

I have given it to several of my dogs over the years at the suggestion of my vet for various reasons and it has always been fine. They just end up sleepy for a few hours after they take it.

Answer 9

Benadryl is okay to give to a lab, but you might want to have her checked out- she may have an allergy that is avoidable.

When my lab mix (60 lbs) had an allergic reaction to her standard immunizations, and there was awful swelling on her face, my vet just advised me to give her half a human adult dose of benadryl and call back in an hour. By that time swelling had almost disappeared, but you should call your vet and ask about dosage.

Answer 10

Ok first of all....

Do you know why your dog is scratching?

Do you know why does can scratch excessively?

Where is he scratching, is there hair missing or is the skin reddened or thickened?

Do you know the dose for benadryl in dogs?

Do you know the side effects of giving benadryl in dogs?

If you can answer all of these questions, then give your dog benadryl...however, maybe you should consider why the dog is scratching, is it allergies, is it parasites, is there a traumatic lesion? And depending on why your dog is scratching depends on what the treatment is. Am I going to tell you to give yourself benadryl if you have headlice?

Most of the time, if dogs are scratching because of an allergy problem, then we must try to figure out what the allergy is (if it's food and we keep feeding him the food he's allergic to and you keep giving benadryl, then what is that going to do?) and usually maintain him on steroids to stop the immune system from flaring up...benadryl is only a quick fix.

Please don't self medicate your dog, I see too many owners doing this and it more than often hurts the dog more than it helps them

Answer 11

Only on the advice of a Vet after your pet has been seen should you ever give you pet human medicine.

Humans medicines can do more harm then good if you do not know what you are treating for.

Answer 12

I think you should consult your vet before medicating any animal with human medication.