Benadryl … so many people love using this over-the-counter medication for their dogs. Maybe you do too. Conventional vets use Benadryl for dogs and recommend it … for just about anything. Ask your vet about allergies … or anxiety or car sickness or reverse sneezing … and he’ll likely suggest Benadryl. Or maybe you ask for a rabies exemption because your dog had a reaction last time. Your vet says “don’t worry, we’ll just give her a Benadryl before the vaccine.” (More about what’s wrong with this later.) Lots of dog owners view Benadryl as an easy fix for various problems. You’ll see people on social media advising “give her Benadryl.” It could be for a dog with hives, separation anxiety or fear of thunder. But the problem is … Benadryl only hides the problem temporarily. And it’s not safe. So … let’s get into some detail about Benadryl … and why you should choose natural options that are safer and just as effective.
The History Of Benadryl
Benadryl’s a brand name for the drug diphenhydramine hydrochloride. (Let’s call it “DH” to keep it simple!) A chemical engineer named Dr George Rieveschl invented Benadryl in 1943. He was at the drug company, Parke-Davis, now part of Pfizer. In 1946, the FDA approved it as the first prescription antihistamine. DH is also sold under many generic brand names. There’s even a liver flavored pet brand called Vetadryl. It’s an antihistamine drug. It also has anticholinergic (drying) and sedative effects. And because of its sedative effects, DH is in many other over-the-counter drugs. Watch for the ones with “PM” after their name. Tylenol PM is an example of this – it contains acetaminophen for pain relief, plus DH to make you drowsy.What Antihistamines Do
As the name suggests, antihistamines counteract the effect of histamine. Histamine is a natural body chemical with a few useful roles:- It’s a chemical messenger in the nervous system.
- It’s a part of gastric acid that helps the digestive process.
- It helps dilate blood vessels, part of the body’s immune response to pathogens.
Symptoms Are Natural Healing
Your dog’s symptoms are her body’s way of healing. So vets see something like itching, sneezing or hives and give Benadryl. And the problem goes away … or seems to. Unfortunately, removing the symptoms doesn’t get at the root of the problem. The underlying disease causing the itching is still there. So the itching will keep coming back. Eventually your vet will prescribe other drugs … like antibiotics or steroids. But your dog still has the ongoing problem. Another problem with suppressing symptoms is that it can drive the disease deeper. And then it comes back … sometimes in a more serious form. And now, the disease is chronic. Holistic vets have many stories about dogs treated with “anti-” drugs. Many of them end up with problems like seizures, emotional issues, or even cancer. So that’s one problem with using Benadryl … it doesn’t cure anything. It just hides the symptoms for a while. What about other side effects?The Side Effects Of Benadryl For Dogs
Benadryl may seem like a harmless option. But it has quite a long list of possible side effects. In fact, the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology has given serious warnings about them, even for people. The organization issued a 2019 position statement about Benadryl. They advised against the drug because of the high risk of side effects and overdose. They said the drug leads to …“…several intolerable and potentially life-threatening adverse effects.”They explained that antihistamine drugs cross the blood–brain barrier …
“… and may lead to significant CNS suppression and toxicity resulting in psychomotor impairment, coma, and even death.”So that’s rather scary. And so’s the list of adverse effects. Some of the more serious ones are from long term use of the drug.
- Dryness of mouth, nose and throat
- Drowsiness
- Low blood pressure
- Heart palpitations
- Cognitive issues, confusion, dementia
- Anxiety
- Moodiness
- Depression
- Trembling
- Chemical dependence
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Change in appetite
- Constipation
- Can mask symptoms of gastrointestinal problems
Risk Of Overdosing Benadryl For Dogs
If you do give Benadryl, don’t guess at the dosing. Talk to your vet to find out how much to give. Because Benadryl overdose can really harm your dog. The dosing of Benadryl for dogs has a narrow safety margin. If you give your dog too much Benadryl, you may see serious symptoms like …- Red eyes or dilated pupils
- Intense drowsiness
- Rapid heart rate
- Difficulty breathing
- Aggression
- Fever
- Seizures
- Muscle tremors
- Lack of coordination, inability to walk
- Difficulty urinating
- Delirium
Dogs Who Should Never Take Benadryl
Dogs with these conditions should never take Benadryl (or other DH drugs):- Glaucoma
- Heart failure
- Prostatic hypertrophy
- Seizures
- Allergic lung disease
- Bladder neck obstruction
- Hyperthyroid (rare in dogs)
Warning
If you do use Benadryl for dogs, follow these rules:- Don’t try to guess the dose by yourself. Ask your vet how much to give.
- Don’t ever give liquid Benadryl. You might assume that because it’s made for children, it’s safe. But you’d be wrong. It’s full of harmful chemical ingredients and dyes.
- Always read the ingredients of the product you buy. Don’t buy formulas that contain Xylitol, which is deadly to dogs. Avoid formulas with dyes.
- Don’t give it to pregnant or nursing females.
Natural Alternatives To Benadryl For Dogs
So … here are some conditions people use Benadryl for … and natural options you can use instead.Benadryl Alternatives For Allergies And Skin Problems
Allergies are complicated. If your dog has any kind of allergy issue you’ll need to figure out what’s causing the problem. Your dog may have:- Itchy or irritated skin
- Hives
- Hotspots
- Ear infections
- Digestive issues
- Chronic diarrhea
- Food
- Medication
- Pest control products
- Vaccination
- Yeast infection
- Seasonal allergies
- Environmental toxins
- Autoimmune disease
Colostrum
Colostrum is the substance in mother’s first milk that helps build the newborn’s immune system. And it can help your dog’s immune system deal with allergies. Colostrum is most effective with environmental and seasonal allergies. Give your dog 1/3 tsp powdered colostrum per 25 lbs of body weight, twice a day.Quercetin
If you want an alternative to Benadryl, consider quercetin. In fact, quercetin is often referred to as as Nature’s Benadryl. That’s because it can stop the body from releasing histamines. Quercetin is naturally in foods like berries and apples (especially with the skin on). You can also buy a quercetin supplement at a health food store. Give your dog 80 mg of quercetin powder per 10 lbs of body weight.Medicinal Mushrooms
Mushrooms are another food that can help boost your dog’s immune response. That’s because of the main medicinal property, beta-glucan. Beta-glucans change certain immune cells, helping to prevent the allergic response and inflammation. It activates other immune cells that help remove unwanted substances from the body. The mushrooms with the highest beta-glucan content are:- Reishi
- Shiitake
- Cordyceps
- Turkey tail
- Maitake
- Check the certificate of analysis to make sure it has at least 30% beta-glucan content.
- Make sure your mushrooms are whole mushrooms, not just mycelium. Mycelium is only part of the mushroom; it’s grown on grains, making it much higher in starch and lower in beta glucans.
Alternatives For Bee Stings And Insect Bites
Insect bites and stings are another ailment people use Benadryl for. But there are much better options.Fast Remedies For Insect Stings
If you’re out in the woods with my dogs in the summer, there are a couple of really good homeopathic remedies to carry …- Ledum palustre (30C or 200C): an effective remedy for most insect stings or puncture wounds.
- Apis mellifica (30C or 200C): this remedy works well for allergic reactions. It helps with stings or red or swollen bites.
- Try Apis first if the sting becomes very swollen and red, with lots of itching and even pain.
- Try Ledum first if the bite area is cold and puffy.
Plaintain – More Than A Weed!
A great herbal remedy for insect bites is one you might find whenever you’re out walking. You may consider it a weed in your back yard … but plantain is a great way to treat insect stings in an emergency. The juice of the plantain leaf is what you’ll need to soothe the sting. The easiest way to do that is chew it a little to release the juice, then rub the leaf on the sting. Reapply as needed.Natural Alternatives To Benadryl For Anxiety
Whatever causes anxiety … it may be separation anxiety or fear of thunder or fireworks … … your vet will often suggest Benadryl for your dog. Because of its sedative effects, it can help calm your dog. Instead, consider one of the many natural solutions for anxiety. There are many options … including herbs, flower essences, essential oils, and homeopathy. But one of the most effective remedies for your dog’s anxiety, whatever the cause … is CBD oil.CBD Oil For Anxiety
CBD oil for dogs comes from the hemp plant. It has similar calming effects to marijuana … but without the THC that gets people high. And now there are studies showing CBD has anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) effects. You can give CBD oil for dogs … and the most common side effect is that he might get a little sleepy. Buy and organic, full spectrum CBD oil with a full range of cannabinoids: CBD, CBA, CBC, CBN and CBG. These all work together for the “entourage effect.” The general rule for dosing CBD is to give your dog 1mg to 6mg of CBD per 10 lbs of body weight. (You’ll need to check how much actual CBD is in each dropper of the oil you buy).Motion Sickness
If your dog gets queasy in the car, there are lots of things to help him. Your vet might recommend Benadryl, or even Dramamine. But try one of these solutions instead.Practice!
Most dogs will outgrow motion sickness. So start by taking your dog for lots of short rides around the block. Or take him somewhere fun like the park. That way he should start to expect a fun time when he gets in the car … instead of worrying about a trip to the vet or groomer. Being anxious in the car will make him more likely to get carsick.Herbs
Ginger, peppermint or fennel are all good herbs for nausea. You can make a tea from one or more of these herbs. Let it cool, and give some to your dog about 30-60 minutes before getting in the car. Give 1 Tbsp per 20 lbs of body weight.Flower Essences
If your dog’s nausea is due to anxiety, flower essences can help. Try giving him the combination flower essence Rescue Remedy before each trip. You can give it as often as needed. It’s calming, gentle and has no side effects.Homeopathy
Several homeopathic remedies can help with car sickness. Choose the one that best fits your dog and give it 30 to 60 minutes before a car ride.- Nux vomica 30C: often used for digestive problems, Nux can also help a carsick dog. It may stop him from vomiting in the car.
- Sepia 30C: if your dog feels anxious about getting in the car, this remedy can cheer him up. It’s an especially good remedy for senior dogs.
- Cocculus indicus 30C: This remedy works well for a dog who seems to get worse when you open the car window! So don’t let the fresh air in for a dog like this.
- Tabacum 30C: Use this remedy for a dog who thinks a car ride means something unpleasant … like a trip to the vet.
Mast Cell Tumors
Conventional vets often give Benadryl to dogs with mast cell tumors (MCTs). Because MCTs cause excess histamine in the body … Benadryl can help control that response. But once again, that’s just a short-term solution that suppresses your dog’s natural healing. Canine herbalist Rita Hogan recommends several herbal treatments for your dog’s MCT. These include:- Ashwaganda
- Astragalus Root
- Burdock Root
- Calendula or Cleavers
- Dandelion Root and Leaf
- Echinacea
- Maritime Pine Bark
- Nettles
- Red Clover
- Sweet Violet