Cat Benadryl dosage is probably the first thing that crosses your mind when you think about felines allergies. No wonder why, when we all see Benadryl as a first solution when it comes to human allergies, as well. With time it became clear that Benadryl is more than safe for pets as well, including the cats.
Is It Safe To Give Benadryl To Your Cat?
Long story short, yes. Benadryl is safe for cats. In general, Benadryl is just an antihistamine, and its comparably safe for cats.
Moreover, Benadryl is even safe for dogs. Basically, Benadryl is the brand name for the drug, while the generic form of the medication is diphenhydramine.
Simply said, Benadryl that you get at the vet’s office is the same drug you would buy off the shelf of your first local grocery store.
What Is Benadryl Used For In Cats?
In most cases, Benadryl is used for skin problems in felines, including allergies or itchy skin, strong or moderate vaccine reactions, and even small bug bites.
Also, in most cases, Benadryl is used as an anti-nausea medication which works perfectly for motion sickness. But the best way to keep your feline healthy and to cure her of specific conditions is to use proper medication for every condition.
In a nutshell, Benadryl is used in cats for:
- Cat allergies
- Skin allergies
- Reactions to vaccines
- Bug bites
- Mild sedative
- Cat cold
In addition, Benadryl can be used for allergy symptoms that may include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Itchy skin
- Iritated skin
- Wheezing
- Iritated eyes
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Snoring
However, bear in mind that a number of factors must be discussed with your veterinarian before you start giving Benadryl to your cat. Firstly, you must understand the reason why your cat needs to take this medicine in the first place, together with the reasons behind it.
Secondly, there is a significant number of parameters that your veterinarian takes into consideration when it comes to setting the right dosage to your cat. Parameters like:
Make sure that you will discuss with your veterinarian on this information. Only when your veterinarian tells you its safe to use Benadryl you can start giving it to your feline.
Good to know: Benadryl is also used as a mild sedative that you can use for long car trips.
What Is Benadryl?
Benadryl is a traditional medication that is originally used to treat irritation, pain, and the unpleasant side effects that are linked with allergies and their reactions. Generally, Benadryl comes in both liquid and tablet form. However, if the allergic reaction is severe it can be injected.
Furthermore, Benadryl is used to treat insomnia in humans.
When it comes to the use of Benadryl in cats, pet owners must be extra careful. If your veterinarian told you to use Benadryl in order to make your feline stronger, it doesn’t mean that any available human medicine is good for your feline.
If you insist on holding human medicine for your pet just in case, make sure that you read this top ten human medications that are safe for felines.
Cat Benadryl Dosage
In general, the dosage of Benadryl is mostly 2-4 mg for an average sized cat. That’s the main reason why so many veterinarians recommend liquid Benadryl. The 2-4 mg dosage can be given every 8-12 hours.
There are three ways that you can dosage Benadryl and it all depends on the Benadryl form.
Liquid Benadryl
Liquid Benadryl is usually every owner’s first choice. Liquid Benadryl, for cat allergies, is available in 12.5 mg per 5 milliliters (mL) liquid suspension. This is also an extremely handy way to run the medication.
Benadryl Tablets And Capsules
Benadryl also comes in the form of capsules or tablets. The most common dosage of this medicine form is in 12.5 milligrams (mg) and 25 mg tablets or capsules. However, this is not known as the ideal form of Benadryl as only 2-4 mg is needed for the average dose.
Buy A Syringe
Also, it would be great to purchase a 1 mL or 3 mL syringe from your local pharmacy. Of course, you should buy the proper dosage that veterinarian prescribe you. The great thing about syringe is that you can set precisely dose the medicine and easily give it to your cat.
Make sure that you follow dosage instructions. Otherwise, you can create a dangerous field for overdose that can have lethal consequence.
Therefore, it is imperative to consult with your veterinarian regarding the right dosage of Benadryl that your cat should take.
Furthermore, it is good to know that the easiest way to dose a cat with Benadryl is to give the medicine – liquid Benadryl. Also, bear in mind that most cats don’t like the taste or the smell of it.
Quick tip: If your cat is not a fan of the smell or the taste, you should look for flavored liquid with a taste of fish or chicken.
Also, there is a simple formula which you can use if you want to calculate by yourself how much Benadryl is actually safe for your cat. For an average sized cat, you’ll need half of the 25-milligram tablet. On the other hand, for a 10-pound cat, you will most likely need around 4 milliliters of liquid.
But, the best and the safest approach is to get the exact dosage from your veterinarian.
Benadryl Side Effects In Cats
Every medicine comes with its good sides and slightly lower sides that can lead to a number of various side effects. Benadryl is no exception when it comes to this rule.
Therefore, it’s crucial to understand the potential side effects. And the most common side effects are:
- Hyperexcitability
- Dry mouth
- Loss of appetite
- Urination changes
- Drowsiness
- Possible sedation
When you start giving Benadryl to your cat make sure that you monitor your feline for any of these side effects and to react accordingly. Additionally, contact your vet. Again, only give your cat the recommended dose of Benadryl.
In addition, there are extra risks when giving Benadryl to your cat. Risks that may include mix with other medications or simply misreading the signs that your feline is showing. In those cases, Benadryl can worsen the issue.
Benadryl Precautions
Just like in humans, Benadryl can lead to a number of different symptoms. For example, your cat may act drowsy, or she may get hyper like she is on catnip.
Overdose can lead to severe health issues or various seizures, difficulties when it comes to breathing, even coma, and eventually death. It is important to ensure that the medication is not masking a larger issue. For example, if your cat shows allergic reactions such as trouble breathing, the best is to contact your vet and discuss the issue and further steps.
The worst option would be to give your feline Benadryl to see if the symptom would disappear.
Cat Benadryl Dosage – Key Takeaways
Keeping felines happy and healthy all the time is not an easy task. Especially when we know how tricky felines can be. After all, felines are known for being a master at hiding underlying health problems.
However, there is something that you can do as responsible pet owners to make your feline’s life longer and more satisfying. Firstly and most importantly is to stay on track with veterinarian check-ups. After all, your veterinarian is the only one that can tell you with certainty about your felines true health condition.
Whenever your feline comes to the moment where she needs to take certain medications like Benadryl make sure that you follow up on proper guidelines. After all, you don’t want to make more harm than good.