Benadryl for Cats: Dosage, Safety & Side Effects

Benadryl, which is a brand name for the drug diphenhydramine hydrochloride, is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of allergies in cats, including swelling, itching, sneezing and hives, that result from insect bites or stings, exposure to environmental allergens like grass or pollen, and reactions to flea bites or vaccines.

Benadryl For Cats Overview

Medication Type:

Antihistamine

Form:

Tablet, Liquid

Prescription Required?:

No

FDA Approved?:

No

Brand Names:

Benadryl

Common Names:

Diphenhydramine Hydrochloride

Available Dosages:

25mg

Antihistamines block histamine receptors in the body that are responsible for initiating allergic reactions. Read on to find answers to the most common questions about Benadryl for cats.

Is Benadryl Safe for Cats?

Benadryl is generally considered to be safe for cats. However, as with all medications, Benadryl should be used correctly.

It’s best to call your veterinarian to ask about using Benadryl for your cat because some cats should not take Benadryl, including cats with certain medical conditions (for instance, heart problems or glaucoma), those taking other medications,  pregnant or nursing cats, and cats who are allergic to diphenhydramine.

If you are using Benadryl because your cat is having an allergic reaction or experiencing itchy skin, always follow up with your veterinarian. Benadryl will treat a cat’s symptoms (swelling, itching, sneezing, hives), but it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of the swelling or itching.

For instance, your cat might be suffering from an allergy to flea bites, but simply treating the cat for the itching without addressing the flea infestation will not cure your cat.

Additionally, cats that are scratching and chewing due to allergies or another skin condition need additional medical care to help address the primary reason for the itching, as well as to treat secondary conditions that might have developed, like skin infections.

In cases of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), cats experience such signs as facial swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, seizures or collapse.

These severe reactions, which can be caused by the sting of wasps or bees or bite of insects or snakes, require urgent veterinary attention. Benadryl is not enough to reduce severe allergic reactions.

If your cat is experiencing a severe allergic reaction, bring her to a veterinarian immediately. If this happens after normal business hours and your veterinary clinic is closed, bring your cat to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Also Read: The 11 Best Flea Treatments for Cats

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If you can’t bring your cat to a veterinarian right now you may want to contact a vet on JustAnswer. For between $10 and $100, this service allows you to connect one-on-one with a real veterinarian in real time. It’s one of the best ways to get personalized expert advice at a fraction of the cost of a vet visit.

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Side Effects of Benadryl in Cats

It is possible for some cats to experience side effects when taking Benadryl.

Some common side effects of Benadryl that you might notice in your cat include:

• Sedation/sleepiness
• Agitation/excitement
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty urinating
• Drooling
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

Cats will usually show signs of unwanted side effects within one hour of taking Benadryl.

If you notice your cat exhibiting any of the above signs while taking Benadryl, stop giving the medication and contact your veterinarian for what you should do.

Although some cats become drowsy when taking Benadryl, others become amped up. For this reason, giving Benadryl to cats for anxiety or for sedation is not recommended.

Benadryl Overdose

Even though Benadryl is usually considered to be safe for cats, it is possible overdose your cat with Benadryl. Avoid giving a lethal dose of Benadryl by weighing your cat before giving the medication and giving only the recommended amount of Benadryl.

Never give more than 1 milligram of Benadryl per pound of body weight and never give Benadryl more often than every eight hours in a 24-hour period. Giving more than the recommended dose of Benadryl or giving too many doses in a 24-hour period increases the risk of Benadryl overdose in cats.

As with all medications, use Benadryl for cats cautiously and carefully, and always with the guidance of your veterinarian.

Signs of Benadryl overdose in cats may include one or more of the following:

• Rapid breathing
• Slow breathing
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness
• Death

How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Cat?

You can buy Benadryl over-the-counter at most pharmacies, grocery stores and big-box stores. Benadryl is sold as tablets or liquid. It’s important to  use only plain Benadryl.

The only active ingredient should be diphenhydramine HCl. Never use combination medications (for instance, diphenhydramine combined with a decongestant).

The typical dosage of Benadryl for cats is 1 milligram per pound of body weight. Depending on what the Benadryl is being used to treat, cats may take Benadryl up to three times a day (every eight hours in a 24-hour period). Consult with your veterinarian to find out how often your cat can safely take Benadryl.

Benadryl tablets come in 25 mg. If your cat weighs 12.5 pounds (give or take a pound or so), you can break one tablet in half and give that to your cat.

It gets trickier for cats weighing much less than 12.5 pounds or much more than 12.5 pounds (unless your cat is quite large—a 25- pound cat can take a full 25 mg tablet of Benadryl).

Liquid Benadryl for cats might be easier to measure and also easier to give to a cat (cats are notoriously difficult to get to swallow pills).

Your veterinarian might sell special liquid Benadryl for cats, or you can use children’s Benadryl. Be sure to check with your veterinarian to make sure all of the inactive ingredients in over-the-counter liquid diphenhydramine are safe for cats.

How To Give Benadryl to Cats?

If giving Benadryl tablets, hold your cat in your lap or place her up on a table. Carefully point your cat’s head toward the ceiling, open your cat’s mouth by placing one finger on the lower teeth and quickly place the pill as far back into the throat as possible.

Then, allow your cat to close her mouth and gently stroke her under the chin to encourage her to swallow the pill. Hold your cat’s mouth closed until you know that she has swallowed the pill.

If giving liquid Benadryl, use the measuring syringe included in the package to measure the correct dose of Benadryl.

Position the syringe just inside her mouth, behind one of her canine teeth. Aim the syringe far back into the mouth to the back of the tongue, then gently and slowly squirt the liquid into your cat’s mouth, giving your cat time to swallow and breathe.

Whether giving tablets or liquid, softly blowing on your cat’s face and nose may help encourage your cat to swallow the Benadryl. Alternatively, you can try hiding a tablet into food or mixing liquid into food.

Be aware that, in general, cats dislike the taste of Benadryl, regardless of whether it is in liquid or tablet form. Consider working with a compounding pharmacy, which might be able to make a liquid Benadryl in a flavor that cats like. If you want to go this route, ask your veterinarian to recommend a compounding pharmacy.

Benadryl for Cats Dosage Chart

Use Benadryl for Cats Safely

Benadryl for cats can safely and effectively help if your cat is itchy, sneezing or experiencing swelling. However, even though Benadryl is easy to obtain and give to your cat at home, it is vital that you seek veterinary care for your cat as soon as possible.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always talk to your veterinarian about questions you may have regarding your pet’s medical condition. Do not delay seeking professional veterinary advice because of something read on the internet.

Drug Dosing Disclaimer: We are only able to provide doses for medications that are FDA approved for use in cats and only as the label guidelines dictate. For medications that are used off-label we can only provide guidelines and safety information for use. Safe and appropriate dosing for off-label medications can only be determined by a primary care veterinarian.

We encourage you to work with your veterinarian to determine if a particular medication is appropriate for your cat. Changing or adjusting a dose for your cat on your own without consulting with a veterinarian can carry risk. We do not encourage use of medications prescribed for human use in pets without first consulting with a primary care veterinarian.