Table of contents:
Not all medicines that work for humans work for dogs, so be careful when you think about self prescribing medicine for your English Bulldog. There are medications that are created for human use that also work for dogs when the dosage is correct — and Benadryl is one of those medicines.
If your English Bulldog suffers from allergies, which lets be honest most do, then Benadryl may be the solution that you are looking for. Benadryl is also used to treat itchiness in dogs and I’ve personally used to help my bulldog who was suffering from hay fever.
Benadryl is a antihistamine that can help alleviate symptoms of allergic reactions and even anxiety. Benadryl works by blocking histamine receptors on a cell’s surface, meaning that the receptors cannot ‘accept’ histamine that tries to attach and trigger an allergic reaction.
Benadryl is safe for dogs of any size in the correct dosage, and as well as allergies, Benadryl can also help your fury baby if they are suffering from anxiety or motion sickness.
The common side affects associated with dogs taking Benadryl are drowsiness, dry mouth, increased heart rate and hyper-salivation.
You can give your English Bulldog Benadryl.
What Allergy Medicine Can I Give My English Bulldog?
As a dog breed, English Bulldogs are prone to allergies, so it is important for you to know what allergy medicine you can give your bulldog.
Ensuring that your bulldog has the correct diet, is exercised daily and has a daily grooming routine can be a great way to prevent allergy issues and avoid you having to use any allergy medicine.
Some of the things that you can use to help your English Bulldog with there allergies are Benadryl, Omega-3, Probiotic Supplements & hypoallergenic shampoo.
Make sure you read our guide on home remedies for itchy skin if your bulldog suffers from skin allergies.
How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?
The dosage amount for Benadryl depends on the size of your dog, which is about 1 mg per pound, two to three times daily.
Veterinarian professionals will recommend that you start your dog off on half doses to see the sedation effects first.
For a 25mg Benadryl tablet, we recommend the following doses:
Dog Size | Dosage |
Very Small Dogs (4-10 pounds) | 1/4 Tablet |
Small Dogs (10-20 pounds) | 1/2 tablet |
Medium Dogs (20-30 pounds) | 1 tablet |
Larger dogs | 1 tablet per 25 pounds body weight |
If your bulldog has any chronic conditions like glaucoma, diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy or seizures, or is pregnant, consult your vet before dosing your pet as some of these conditions can worsen with the addition of Benadryl.
If your ever unsure on the dosage of medicine required for your bulldog, then we strongly recommend you seek professional advice from a vet.
Benadryl is a fast acting medicine and the affects will often kick in within 1 - 2 hours of the medicine being consumed. It's important to know that it won't kick in immediately and if you plan to give your bulldog Benadryl for specific purpose that is upcoming then you should ensure you time this correctly.
What Is The Best Antihistamine For Dogs?
Benadryl is the best antihistamine for dogs. However, there are other antihistamines that can be used by dogs, such as:
Cetirizine
Clemastine
Chlorpheniramine
Cyproheptadine
Fexofenadine
Hydroxyzine
Terfenadine
Trimeprazine
Can A Dog Take Benadryl As a Sedative?
Yes, a dog can take Benadryl as a sedative - however the sedative effects are mild.
Due to it's sedative effects, Benadryl can be used to help with your English Bulldogs anxiety and motion sickness. It's also a great way to help calm your dog down on nights like bonfire night or thanks giving where fireworks may be triggering your dogs anxiety and causing them great stress.
There are other alternatives to use as a sedative for your English Bulldog, such as CBD. Cannabinoids in CBD interact with the endocannabinoid receptors located in the central and peripheral nervous systems, which help maintain balance in the body and keep it in a normal healthy state.
CBD is often mentioned as a useful therapy for a variety of conditions, including pain management, arthritis, anxiety, seizures and even cancer.
Conclusion
Benadryl is completely safe for your English Bulldog. It's a great Antihistamine to help your bulldog if they are suffering from any allergies problems.
They key to ensuring that your bulldog is safe when taking Benadryl is getting the dosage correct. If the dosage is incorrect and your dog over-uses Benadryl the this can be fatal. The symptoms of over usage of Benadryl in dogs are increased heart rate, dilated pupils, agitation, constipation and seizures.
Some dogs may also have an allergic reaction to the drug, itself. Always keep an eye on your dog after their first exposure to the medication.