Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) is an antihistamine medication designed to relieve allergy symptoms like itching. Pet parents can give this antihistamine medicine for cats experiencing allergies or acute reactions such as those caused by bug bites or vaccines.
At home or with professional guidance from your veterinarian, it is crucial to administer the appropriate dosage of cat medication over-the-counter. Here is what you need to know.
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Dosage
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride) is a widely prescribed antihistamine medication safe for most cats. It may be taken orally via tablet, liquid or spray forms and should always be given with food; typically 1 mg per pound of bodyweight every 8-12 hours as needed should suffice; it’s best to consult your vet first in order to ascertain an individualized dosage plan for your feline friend.
Some cats may require higher dosages depending on their age, weight and medical conditions. Benadryl can help treat allergies, itching caused by flea bites, anxiety or stress relief as well as helping prevent motion sickness during car rides. Its most popular uses are treating allergies, treating flea bites itching, sedating anxious or stressed cats as well as helping prevent motion sickness during car rides.
Benadryl should not be seen as the sole solution to treating allergic reactions, itching or motion sickness in your pet. A veterinarian can prescribe stronger medicines more effective than benadryl for allergic reactions caused by bee stings, insects and reptile bites – some severe reactions like those triggered by bee stings can even prove fatal, so if your pet experiences such reactions immediately seek emergency veterinary assistance for emergency veterinary care.
Benadryl can generally be administered safely to cats; however, in certain instances it should not. If your cat suffers from heart disease, glaucoma, or another chronic medical condition it would be wise to avoid giving benadryl because it could interfere with existing medication they are currently receiving.
Benadryl may cause side effects in some pets, including drowsiness, sneezing, itching and dry mouth. Therefore it is essential that only over-the-counter versions are purchased – other forms such as gel capsules or liquid may contain harmful ingredients for your animal companion.
Be wary when using benadryl with other medications such as NSAIDs or decongestants, including decongestants. Furthermore, it should be remembered that benadryl may actually make cats even more hyperactive rather than sedate them – be cautious when administering this drug to cats who are already highly energetic.
Side effects
Benadryl is one of the safest over-the-counter antihistamines for cats to take, working by blocking specific receptors in their brain which cause allergy symptoms to lessen in intensity. However, it may cause unwanted side effects, including sedation, dry mouth, increased urination and drowsiness; typically these should last no more than an hour and typically fade within 12 hours. If your cat experiences any of these side effects it’s important to consult a veterinarian immediately.
Pet parents usually give their cats Benadryl in tablet form. Crushing it and mixing with canned cat food ensures the appropriate dosage, and helps avoid any potential choking hazards due to large pills. A syringe may also be used for administering liquid Benadryl; simply position the needle near one corner of your cat’s mouth and gently squeeze. You could also mix liquid Benadryl into something such as low-sodium tuna juice or chicken broth for administration.
Before purchasing Benadryl for your cat, ask their veterinarian which brand of medication they suggest. Read all labels of all products you intend to purchase – some could contain additional toxic drugs like acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine, making generic Benadryl with just diphenhydramine hydrochloride your best choice.
Benadryl should be administered every 8-12 hours for optimal use; even if no signs of allergies exist at that time. It is always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
If your veterinarian is unavailable, JustAnswer offers an affordable solution: connecting directly with a real vet at any time for just a fraction of the cost of traditional visits. Their veterinarians can help determine if Benadryl is safe for your cat and if so, how much to administer as well as provide advice about other medications you could give to treat allergies in cats.
Precautions
Benadryl can be an effective means of treating allergies in cats. Additionally, it may help ease itching from bug bites or stings and soothe itchy skin caused by colds. Benadryl also acts as a mild sedative that can be useful for cats who experience motion sickness during car rides or flights as well as travel anxiety during flight journeys; additionally it may alleviate coughing in some cats though may not always be sufficient as a solution for chronic coughing cases.
Pet parents should always consult their veterinarian prior to giving their cat any new medication, even over-the-counter options like Benadryl. A veterinarian can discuss its benefits and potential issues. This step is especially important as some over-the-counter versions contain ingredients which could harm cats, such as acetaminophen or pseudoephedrine; which could become particularly risky if combined with decongestants or bronchodilators.
Some cats, like humans, can experience an adverse reaction to the active ingredient found in Benadryl. Should this occur it is critical that immediate emergency veterinary attention be sought as symptoms such as difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness and seizures may present themselves.
Benadryl can be useful in treating sudden allergies in pets, so pet parents should keep some on hand in case an unexpected episode arises – it’s hard to predict when these allergies might strike!
Pet parents should give their cat benadryl once every 12 hours as directed on its label, taking into account its weight. When giving liquid form of benadryl (more suitable for cats who struggle to swallow pills), pet parents must hold onto one side while holding onto a syringe in the other – holding both hands together is helpful when administering liquid to encourage swallowing by gently blowing on their nose in order to encourage swallowing by gently blowing past one of the tooth surfaces or by gently blowing on one nostril to encourage swallowing by cat owners!
Overdose
Benadryl can cause serious side effects in cats if its proper dosage isn’t given; most common reactions do not require medical intervention, yet in rare instances these effects could prove deadly. Benadryl is often given to treat allergies in cats as well as to soothe nervous ones during travel or car rides, though always consult a veterinarian first before giving your cat any type of over-the-counter medications.
Overdosing benadryl for cats may result in loss of consciousness, seizures and even death – though rare. Failure to follow proper dosage guidelines increases this risk considerably and it should never be given when certain health conditions, medications or pregnancy are present.
Overdosing on benadryl for dogs is all too often overlooked, yet many pet parents do not realize the same applies to cats. This is because over-the-counter products usually suggest dosing according to weight; cats generally weigh much less and their bodies metabolize medications differently.
Over-the-counter benadryl comes in tablet form and should be crushed into food or liquid (such as tuna juice or low-sodium chicken broth ) to make swallowing easier for cats. If this fails, use a syringe instead and administer the medication that way.
Some pet owners utilize compounding pharmacies to turn over-the-counter benadryl into something their pet can safely take, by adding flavors/odors that appeal to pets and encourage them to take it more readily.
Keep in mind that some types of benadryl may contain harmful ingredients for cats, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol). This could prove fatal for brachycephalic breeds who already suffer from restricted airways and may experience breathing issues after experiencing an allergic reaction.