How much Benadryl can I give my dog? As insomnia is becoming a big issue in canines, so is this question. There are many reasons why dogs develop insomnia. Like with humans, dogs can also have trouble sleeping due to stress and anxiety.
Changes in the home, traveling, or being away from the owners can trigger these issues in your dog. Other health issues in dogs (particularly in elderly canines) are often the underlying cause of insomnia. Arthritis and other painful diseases are common reasons why dogs have a hard time sleeping.
Symptoms of Insomnia in a Dog
Canine insomnia is usually secondary to a primary health problem. Hints that your dog may be suffering from insomnia include; pacing back and forth at night, disorientation, increased water intake, increased urination, and lack of energy.
In some cases it may be very difficult to detect insomnia, as many dogs show little or no signs of the disorder. Sleep is essential for your dog’s body to stay healthy; failure to treat canine insomnia can cause other health issues to develop.
Treatment Options for Insomnia in a Dog
As stated before, trouble sleeping in a dog is usually caused by an underlying health problem. For this reason, it is extremely important to have your dog examined by his regular veterinarian.
If there is an underlying problem it will first be treated, then if the issue is not resolved the veterinarian will most likely prescribe medication.
Canine insomnia is usually treated with anti-depressants and anxiety medication. Your veterinarian will decide what is best for your dog considering his age and health status. It is also important to tell your vet. of any medications your dog is currently taking; some medications are not safe to use together. In some cases, veterinarians recommend using Benadryl to treat canine insomnia.
With your veterinarian’s permission, you can give your dog Benadryl to help with trouble sleeping.
How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?
Most veterinarians prescribe Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) at a dose of 1mg/pound every 8 hours. For example; a 40lb canine would take 40mg every 8 hours (three times daily).
It is important that you only use Benadryl in tablet form that is not combined with any other medications; it must be solely Diphenhydramine. Over the counter medications used for cold/flu contain Diphenhydramine, but also contain other drugs that are potentially toxic to dogs. Also avoid using liquid forms of Benadryl; most contain alcohol, which is extremely toxic to canines. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for how long you can give your dog the medication.
Many times, prolonged use of certain medications make it a higher risk for your dog to develop side effects or other health issues. Side effects that your dog may experience while taking Benadryl include; diarrhea, vomiting, urinary incontinence, decreased appetite, and trouble breathing. Immediately take your dog to your veterinarian if any of these symptoms appear.
If you are still thinking; “how much Benadryl can I give my dog,” it is best if you ask your veterinarian again. Getting the correct dosage for your dog is very important. Remember that Benadryl is not always the best treatment for canine insomnia. Have your companion evaluated by a veterinarian so that you know he will be getting the best care.
