Cats are some of the most special pets that you can have, as they are considered sweet and mysterious. Given that most people see their cats as family members, it’s apparent that you don’t want to see your furry friend in poor health.
Cats mean the world to most pet parents, which is why most will do anything to see their pets happy and healthy. It’s however not that easy, especially when your feline is experiencing an allergic reaction. Such reactions can be caused by a lack of tolerance to certain foods, environmental allergens, and more.
This article will shed more light on the use of Benadryl for cat allergies. That way, you will know whether it’s safe, what side effects to expect, and more. We know that you have the best interests of your furry friend at heart, so let’s get down to business:
What is Benadryl for cats?
Benadryl is a brand name for diphenhydramine and is commonly known for its effectiveness in dealing with allergic reactions. It’s an OTC antihistamine medication, which means that it doesn’t exactly require a prescription.
The medication can be purchased in different forms, including tablets, liquid gels, capsules, and also in liquid. One thing you need to have in mind before purchasing the product, however, is that it is sometimes combined with medication that may not be good for your cat.
For this reason, it’s so important to check the package so that you are sure that diphenhydramine is the only drug in the product. Just in case you are not sure, you can involve your vet so that they can advise on what action you should take.
How Benadryl works
Benadryl falls under a category of drugs known as antihistamines. Histamines attach to body cells and cause allergic reactions. These reactions mostly get manifested in the form of scratching, watery eyes, swelling, and more. Antihistamines try to prevent or even lessen such reactions by blocking the attachment of histamines to body cells.
what is Diphenhydramine in Benadryl?
Diphenhydramine is the active ingredient in Benadryl – Benadryl Is simply the brand name. Diphenhydramine can also be found in a generic form under its real name, or as an active ingredient in another product.
Is Benadryl safe for cats?
The main question ringing in many minds of those reading this article by now is whether Benadryl is really safe for cats. If you are one of those wondering the same, then you should be glad to know that you can safely administer Benadryl to your cat.
The answer, is however, subject to how the drug is administered. As long as you carefully administer Benadryl, then it should be safe for your cat. You should also involve a vet so that they can determine whether the drug is really safe for your furry friend.
What Benadryl for cats is commonly used for?
From the information given above, you more than likely expect Benadryl to be used only for allergic reactions. This is, however, not the only way that this drug can benefit your cat. Benadryl for cats can be useful in case of:
- General allergic reactions
- Reaction to vaccines
- Bug Bites
- Mild sedative (when traveling)
- Cat cold (sometimes)
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that Benadryl does not “cure” allergies or colds. It’s simply useful in relieving symptoms, which is why most people think that the conditions are completely gone.
Allergy symptoms
So as to determine when Benadryl should come in handy, it’s important for pet owners to be aware of the symptoms to look out for. These symptoms are not even complicated, as they are quite similar to what humans experience. They include the following:
- Sneezing
- Coughing
- Irritated eyes
- Wheezing
- Itchy, irritated skin
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Ear infections and irritation
- Snoring
- Swollen paws
Even though most of these symptoms come up in case of allergic reactions, it’s vital to avoid making conclusions without expert advice.
Benefits of Benadryl for cats
Benadryl has several gains, some of which may seem quite obvious to pet parents. These benefits include:
1. Benadryl is safe for treating allergies in cats
As you already know by now, Benadryl is safe for cats and can be generally used to relieve allergy symptoms. This qualifies to be the main benefit of Benadryl for cats.
2. It helps in calming down cats
Another significant benefit of Benadryl is that it can be used as a mild sedative – you no longer have to worry if your cat is experiencing anxiety.
3. Benadryl can relieve coughs
It can be so upsetting if your cat keeps on coughing and you don’t have any solution. This should, however, not be the case when you have Benadryl under your disposal. Keep in mind, however, that the drug does not work for complicated coughs such as those caused by lung infections.
The right Benadryl dosage
The right dosage of Benadryl is supposed to be 2-4 mg for the average-size cat. This is why liquid Benadryl is recommended by most vets, considering that it’s easier to get the measurements right. The 2-4 mg dosage of Benadryl should be administered every 8-12 hours.
You will need a syringe to ensure that you are giving the exact dose – you should never make dosage estimations for any medications that matter. This is in consideration that overdoses can seriously affect your pet, and can even be fatal at times.
What not to use Benadryl for in cats
Benadryl can be useful in many ways when it comes to your cat’s health, but there are some situations when your feline shouldn’t take Benadryl. Such situations include but are not limited to:
- Making a highly stressed or anxious cat sleep
- When your cat has heart disease
- If your cat suffers from high blood pressure
- A cat that has glaucoma
- When your cat is taking other medication
- After your cat has had a venomous bite
Benadryl for cats side effects
Benadryl is mostly successful in solving allergy cases, but that does not mean that there are no side effects to expect. Here are some of the common side effects to look out for:
- Dry mouth
- Urination changes
- Drowsiness
- Over-excitement
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting and diarrhea
You should consider notifying your vet when such symptoms come up so that they can advise you on what you should do. They may ask you to come in for a checkup to verify that everything is okay.
Benadryl for cat allergies: Bottom line
At the end of it all, we all know that you want the best for your four-legged furry friend. This means being informed so that you can make the right decisions as far as giving Benadryl to your cat is concerned.
Many cats can have Benadryl with no complications whatsoever. That does, however, not rule out the importance of involving a vet before giving the drug to your pet. It’s always vital to keep in touch with a vet and doing what they advise to avoid emergency cases.
Keep in mind, also, that the use of conventional medication is not the only way to solve allergy problems in cats. There are a variety of natural alternatives if you don’t want to deal with medications. Whatever your decision is, it’s always advisable to seek some expert assistance for better results.
And what about so-called “hypoallergenic” cats? While some breeds — like the “hairless” sphinx — are said to be less likely to trigger symptoms of cat allergies than others, any cat has the potential to cause problems. This is true regardless of its breed, hair length, or how much it sheds. So if you know that you or another family member is allergic to cats, getting one — no matter what the breed — is not a good idea.