Whether it is New Year, the 4th of July or a party in your Neighborhood…..please take a moment to read this article and be mindful of your dog! More dogs are lost during the 4th of July than any other time of the year!
Independence Day is coming soon and although it should be a day of celebration, it’s one of the most dreaded holidays for pet owners. Even where fireworks are illegal, there always seems to be someone setting them off near home. For our dogs, this can resemble the destruction of the Earth. The loud bangs and heavy vibrations can be frightening for our dogs and it can become difficult to calm them down during the chaos. Thankfully, there are some things we can do to help ease their stress.
#1 – Stay With Your Dog
Many people feel that staying with your dog during times of extreme anxiety only perpetuates their behavior, but this is likely not the case. Although destructive behavior due to anxiety can be managed with training, you don’t want to begin addressing this issue during a period of extreme fear. Dogs are pack animals and they naturally want to be with their families when they’re afraid, so leaving them alone can greatly worsen the situation. Even if your dog is crated, make sure you stay in the same room with them.
#2 – Provide A Shelter
Dogs naturally want to seek shelter from something that’s frightening them, even if they can’t place their anxiety on any one specific thing (in the case of fireworks, they can usually only hear and feel the scary thing, not see it). Many owners view crates as a bad thing, but it’s really quite the opposite. When used properly, your dog’s crate turns into their safe place or den during times of stress and anxiety. Fill it with your dogs favorite toys, blankets or even some clothes that smell like you to help them feel more comfortable inside. Offering this type of shelter gives your dog the option to safely hide and feel much more secure in their environment.
#3 – Try Natural Therapies
More and more owners are turning towards natural remedies when it comes to managing their dogs’ health. As with any natural treatment, you’ll want to consult your veterinarian to make sure the remedies you use are safe for your pup. For dogs that have mild anxieties, natural therapies seem to work quite well. For example, Project Paws™ Advanced All-Natural Calming Chews for Dogs contain anxiety relieving valerian root, organic chamomile and organic passionflower.
Sometimes, especially if the anxiety is severe, natural therapies are not enough to help your dog find relief. In these cases, seeking the help of your veterinarian is ideal. There are anxiety medications that dogs can take regularly or during times of extreme stress, such as on the 4th of July. A professional dog trainer can also help you manage your dog’s anxiety, especially if they become destructive and a danger to themselves. Whatever route you decide to take, or both if necessary, it’s important to remain your dog’s advocate and make sure that whatever you do to help ease your dog’s anxiety will keep them safe and comfortable.
Here is a great article on Benadryl and your dog from the American Kennel Club Health Newsletter. This is a good read for sure with the Spring and Summer upon us. As it is stressed in the article…your Vet should be involved anytime you are administering meds to your dog!
Benadryl for Dogs
Anna Burke | August 10, 2016
The temptation to reach into our medicine cabinets to treat our pets can be very dangerous. Humans and dogs react very differently to medications, which is why veterinarians caution dog owners against making independent decisions about how to medicate their animals. However, some human medications are safe for use with dogs, as long as they are used appropriately.
Veterinarians use Benadryl for dogs on a regular basis to treat allergies, travel anxiety, and motion sickness. While you should always consult with your veterinarian before giving your dog a human medication, here is what you need to know about using Benadryl for dogs.
Benadryl is the brand name for the active ingredient diphenhydramine HCL. Diphenhydramine is a first-generation ethanolamine-derivative antihistamine, which is the scientific way of classifying antihistamines that can cross the blood-brain barrier from those that cannot. The ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes them very effective, but also increases the risk of adverse effects when compared to less effective second-generation antihistamines. While Benadryl is not yet FDA-approved for veterinary use, it is considered safe for use in dogs and cats and is commonly used in veterinary practices across the U.S.
How Does Benadryl Work?
Diphenhydramine is a receptor antagonist, which means that the drug works by blocking the receptors that receive histamines in the body. This relieves many of the symptoms associated with allergies, like itching, sneezing, and hives. The body still produces histamines, but the receptor antagonist blocks the receptors from registering the histamines. It is a bit like the mail-person trying to deliver mail to an already full mailbox. The letter arrives, but there is no room for it.
What Does Benadryl Treat in Dogs?
Benadryl is a great medication for use in dogs with mild-to-moderate allergies. Seasonal allergies, food allergies, environmental allergies, and allergic reactions to snake and insect bites all respond to Benadryl in most cases. Benadryl is commonly used to treat itchiness in dogs caused by skin allergies, and it also reduces many of the other symptoms of allergies, including:
One of the side effects of Benadryl is drowsiness, which helps to calm anxious dogs. The Merck Veterinary Manual states that diphenhydramine may relieve symptoms of mild-to-moderate anxiety in pets associated with travel. It also may help relieve motion sickness during car rides and plane rides.
Veterinarians prescribe Benadryl for dogs with mast cell tumors to help mitigate the effects of the massive histamine release caused by mast cell degranulation. Benadryl is also used as adjunct therapy for other conditions. Veterinarians sometimes prescribe diphenhydramine during heartworm treatment, as it helps prevent allergic reactions associated with heartworm treatment therapy.
Benadryl makes an excellent addition to your pet emergency kit. If you don’t already have a pet emergency kit or pet travel kit, consider putting one together today.
When to Ask Your Vet About Benadryl for Dogs
Before you reach for the Benadryl, consult your veterinarian about your dog’s symptoms. Allergy symptoms like itching and red eyes are also signs of more serious conditions. In some cases, like glaucoma, giving your dog Benadryl can actually worsen your dog’s condition. Red, goopy eyes could be a symptom of allergies, or it could also be a sign of an eye disease like glaucoma or dry eye, which Benadryl will not help treat. Similarly, itching is frequently associated with both allergies and other skin conditions. As Benadryl is ineffective for treating certain skin diseases, it is always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to make sure you are doing the best thing for your dog’s health.
Your vet may recommend you bring your dog in for a checkup. If you choose not to bring your dog in against your veterinarian’s advice, or if you administer Benadryl without first consulting your veterinarian, be sure to keep a close eye on your dog and call your vet if your pet’s condition worsens.
Side Effects of Benadryl
There are side effects associated with using Benadryl for dogs that all dog owners should be aware of. Just like people check with their doctors before taking a new medication, you should always check with your veterinarian before introducing Benadryl to see if it has any potential drug interactions with your dog’s other medications, or if it could worsen a preexisting condition.
If your dog has any of the following conditions, only use Benadryl after consulting your veterinarian:
Most side effects occur within the first hour of exposure, so monitor your dog carefully during this time.
Benadryl Overdose
It is possible to overdose on Benadryl. Signs of an overdose include hyper-excitability of the central nervous system (CNS) and can be fatal. Other warning signs to watch for are:
If you suspect your dog has overdosed on Benadryl, contact your veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
Some dogs develop an allergic reaction to Benadryl. If your dog starts having symptoms of an allergic reaction, seek veterinary care immediately. As Benadryl for dogs is often used to treat allergies, keep an eye on your dog after giving Benadryl for the first time to make sure that the allergy symptoms don’t worsen.
Dosage of Benadryl for Dogs
The best way to determine the correct Benadryl dosage for dogs is to consult your veterinarian. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends administering 2-4mg of Benadryl per kilogram of body weight, two to three times a day. However, this dosage can vary depending on your dog’s existing medical conditions.
Never use time-release capsules for dogs, as capsules are absorbed differently in dogs than in humans and may affect your dog’s dosage. They may also break open when chewed and deliver too much medication at one time, putting your dog at risk of an overdose. If you choose to use a liquid Benadryl, it is safer to use a children’s liquid formula, as most do not contain alcohol (although they do contain sodium). Children’s Benadryl pills or tablets can also be used to dose very small dogs. Dosage for liquid Benadryl is different than the dosage for Benadryl pills. Consult your veterinarian for the appropriate dosage, and use a syringe to increase measurement accuracy and ease of administration.
Benadryl typically takes 30 minutes to start working, so plan accordingly if you plan on using it to treat anxiety or mild motion sickness. For dogs with chronic allergies or conditions that require daily doses, consult your veterinarian about the appropriate dosage, as it may change over time.
Always consult your veterinarian before giving Benadryl to pregnant or nursing dogs, since the drug is not recommended for use in these animals.
Is Benadryl Safe for Your Dog?
Benadryl is a relatively safe and effective medication for dogs when used according to the instructions of a veterinarian. As with any new medication, always observe your dog closely after administration to make sure your dog does not suffer any adverse reactions. If you have any further questions about Benadryl for dogs, contact your veterinarian for more information.
Emergency First Aid for Dogs
Even the most responsible pet owner can’t always protect their pet from a sudden accident or illness. Getting your pet immediate medical attention can be the difference between life and death. Download this e-book to learn more about what to do in an emergency situation.
It is nearly the 4th of July – a time for us to celebrate our freedom and independence, have cookouts, watch parades, have family gatherings, enjoy a picnics at the park and fireworks! This is also the time of year, along with New Year’s Eve, that most dogs are lost due to fireworks. This year take precautions with your dog relative to their proximity to any fireworks display. Even if you are shooting off fireworks in your backyard or you are in an area where a larger public display can be seen and heard, make sure your dog is safe and secure.
Be mindful of your guests coming and going into your home or fenced back yard. If your dog is already nervous or is feeling anxiety, an open door will look very tempting. Make sure your dog has on a collar that has clear identification, just in case he gets out. Make sure guests know that it isn’t ok to feed your dog what they are eating, or drinking. There are many foods that are dangerous to our dogs. Click just below for a list of foods and drinks that can be dangerous to your dog:
Remember, your dog’s hearing ability is so incredibly larger than our human ability. Imagine the sound they must hear when fireworks explode. Like thunderstorms, dogs may not really understand just what is going on, however, they hear a very loud noise and a see a very bright light – this can all make for a challenging evening! Be mindful of your dog and watch his/her body language. Above all, make sure all of your pets are secure and accounted for at the end of the evening.
