Is there really Benadryl for Pugs and is it safe to use? This is what Pug parents will ask themselves when they realize their Pug is licking excessively from allergies. Today, we’re going to take an in-depth look at whether or not you should use it for your pet and if it is safe.
Is Benadryl Safe for Pugs?
It can be safe for your Pug, as long as you give them the proper dosage and do NOT give them too much. I’ll share some more details below on how much Benadryl to give your Pug below.
But first, let’s take a look at why some people use it on their pets. Also, read this article if you want to know if you can be allergic to Pugs and what to do to help ease the discomfort.
Can I Give My Pug Benadryl?
The short answer is “Yes,” but you need to ensure that you give them the right dosage amount. Scroll below because I’ve created a dosage chart on how much Benadryl you should give a dog according to their weight.
What Does Benadryl Treat In Dogs?
Many pet owners have used this medication for canines that suffer from mild-to-moderate allergies. This can include food allergies, environmental allergies, seasonal allergies, and allergic reactions from insect bites. (bees, wasps and etc)
Benadryl is commonly used to help treat symptoms from skin allergies which may include:
- Itching
- Hives
- Sneezing
- Running nose and eyes
- Coughing
- Swelling and inflammation
- Anaphylactic reactions
It’s NOT uncommon for veterinarians to use Benadryl for dogs and cats to help treat allergies, travel anxiety, and motion sickness.
I’d recommend consulting with your veterinarian before giving your Pug any type of human medications.
It may be tempting and easy to reach into your medicine cabinet to treat your Pet. However, this can be extremely dangerous as humans and dogs react differently to medications.
Personally, we NEVER gave Mindy any Benadryl as we didn’t think it was safe enough. Although dig give her baby aspirin, and Neosporin.
What Is Benadryl?
Benadryl is the brand name for diphenhydramine. It is an antihistamine to help reduce the natural chemical of histamine in the body. Histamines are chemicals that cause allergy symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, and running nose.
Benadryl helps combat those allergic reactions. It is also used to help treat motion sickness, induce sleep, and can even be used to treat some symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
How Much Benadryl Do I Give My Pug?
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve never given my black Pug any over the counter medications, besides Neosporin and baby aspirin. But this video I found will explain the correct dosage to use for your dog.
According to DVM Greg Martinez in the video, it is safe to give a dog 1mg per pound around every 8 hours. (that’s the highest recommended dosage for a dog)
However, if your dog has a bad allergy reaction or has an extreme case of hives, you may have to take them to the vet to get a shot of steroids to help them get over the issue.
Benadryl Dosage For Pugs
Below is a table that I’ve created to help you determine how much Benadryl to give your pet.
| Canines Weight lbs | Recommended Dosage (mg) Tablet | Recommended Dosage (ml) Liquid |
| 5 | 5 mg | 2 ml |
| 6 | 6 mg | 2 ml |
| 7 | 7 mg | 2 ml |
| 8 | 8 mg | 3 ml |
| 9 | 9 mg | 3 ml |
| 10 | 10 mg | 4 ml |
| 11 | 11 mg | 4 ml |
| 12 | 12 mg | 4 ml |
| 13 | 13 mg | 5 ml |
| 14 | 14 mg | 5 ml |
| 15 | 15 mg | 6 ml |
| 20 | 20 mg | 8 ml |
| 25 | 25 mg | 10 ml |
| 30 | 30 mg | 12 ml |
| 35 | 35 mg | 14 ml |
| 40 | 40 mg | 16 ml |
| 45 | 45 mg | 18 ml |
| 50 | 50 mg | 20 ml |
| 55 | 55 mg | 22 ml |
*If your dog’s weight isn’t on the scale, just multiply their weight by .4 to get the proper dosage for the liquid form of Children’s Benadryl dosage.
Will Benadryl Make My Dog Sleepy?
One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness. This is why people give it to both cats and dogs before traveling or when a pet is under extreme anxiety.
Side Effects of Benadryl
Any type of medication you give your pooch can have side effects besides drowsiness. This is why it’s so important to make sure you give them the proper dosage and only give them the medication when you can be with them.
Other side effects your dog may experience:
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Hyperexcitability in cats
- Sedation
- Diarrhea
If your dog is on any type of medications or supplements, you want to consult with your veterinarian before giving them any. Benadryl is known to have reactions with other drugs.
Liquid Benadryl For Dogs
Benedryl comes in the form of chewable tablets, tablets, and liquid. Some people prefer to use the Children’s Liquid Benadryl type because it’s easier to get their dog to eat. It’s important to remember, you must not give your Pug adult Liquid Benadryl.
If you give your Pug a Benadryl tablet, you may want to crush it to get them to eat it.
You can also coat the tablet in peanut butter or a piece of cheese. This article will discuss the types of cheese your Pug can eat.
If you don’t want to give your Pug a tablet, then opt for liquid Benadryl. You can mix the proper dosage into your dog’s wet food without losing any power.
If giving your Pug Benadryl in liquid form, the dosage should be 0.4ml for 1lb of the body weight. Be sure to check the table above for the correct dosage amount.
Can Benadryl Kill Dogs?
The short answer is No, Benadryl can’t kill dogs.
People have been using Benadryl on dogs for a very long time without any fatal outcomes.
Yes, Benadryl poisoning is possible, that’s why it’s important to ensure you give your dog the right dosage.
Alternatives for Benadryl For Pugs
I totally understand if you don’t want to give your Pug Benadryl. We didn’t feel comfortable with it either. If your Pug is itching then try using some of these alternative options instead.
Coconut Oil: This can be a great way to help relieve your Pug from allergies. I’ve written a post about the benefits of coconut oil for Pugs you should read.
Fish Oil: Consider adding this supplement to Fido’s diet.
Quercetin: Known as nature’s Benadryl because it does what Benadryl does without any type of side effects.
I’ve written an article to help an itchy Pug. All the methods I’ve explained are safe and natural, so you don’t have to worry about any side effects.
The natural alternatives may take longer to help relieve your pooches discomfort. However, you’ll feel better knowing what’s going into their body. The best part is you won’t have to worry about exposing them to Benadryl poisoning.
Should You Give Your Pug Benadryl?
Every pet parent is different and it all depends on what you want to do. As I mentioned above, people have been giving their dogs Benadryl for a long time.
If you do decide to give your Pug Benadryl, make sure that you keep an eye on them. Don’t be scared to give them less than the dosage amount if you’re not sure how your Pug will react.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with consulting with your veterinarian before you give your Pug any type of human medications.
References and Further Reading
PetMD – Can I Give My Dog Benadryl If So, How Much?
Drugs – Benadryl
Merck Manual – Veterinary Manual – Cold and Cough Medications (Toxicity)
WebMD – What Are Histamines