Benadryl for Dogs – Why I DON’T Recommend Using it

benadryl, why I don't recommend it for dogs and cats

★ 5 min read
In This Article: 
  1. Why I Don't Recommend Benadryl for Dogs and Cats
  2. Listed Ingredients in Benadryl
  3. Health Damaging Ingredients in Benadryl
  4. Adverse Side Effects of Benadryl
  5. Now That You Know Benadryl is Not Safe
  6. Natural Alternatives to Benadryl
    1. Quercetin, Nature's Antihistamine
    2. Homeopathic Remedies

1.0 Why I Don't Recommend Benadryl For Dogs and Cats

why I don't recommend benadryl for dogs, benadryl is not good for dogs
 
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is not good for dogs and cats. As well, other conventional antihistamines are not good for dogs.
 
Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tab, or Benadryl LiquiGels are synthetic-chemical medications. Many veterinarians recommend these products for dogs and cats with allergy symptoms, swelling from insect stings, spider bites, etc.

If you use Benadryl Ultra Tabs, or LiquiGels in an emergency situation, once or twice over the span of your dog’s life, there is little to no cause for concern.  

However, giving Benadryl to a dog or cat on a regular to semi-regular basis, is not good for long-term health.
 

2.0 Listed Ingredients in Benadryl

 
ingredients used in benadryl
 
To understand the negative health impacts of benadryl, we need to look at ingredients in benadryl.

Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tab Ingredients

Medicinal (active) ingredients:
  • Diphenhydramine
Non-medicinal (inactive) ingredients :
  • Candelilla wax, colloidal silicone dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, providone, pregelatinized starch, starch, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, and talc.

Benadryl LiquiGels dye-free, Ingredients

Medicinal (active) ingredients:
  • Diphenhydramine
Non-medicinal (inactive) ingredients:
  • Gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, purified water, and sorbitol Capsules are imprinted with edible dye-free ink

3.0 Health Damaging Ingredients in Benadryl

health damaging ingredients in Benadryl and why its not safe for dogs and cats

Now we can delve into the health deteriorating affects caused by the 'inactive' ingredients (listed ingredients and 'incidental' {hidden} ingredients).
 
Listed Ingredient - Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a neurotoxin, that causes: confusion, impaired thinking, memory loss and ultimately dementia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.

Listed Ingredient - Talc
Talc is classified as a “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.  Truth is talc, like titanium dioxide is an health damaging additive.

Listed Ingredient - Microcrystalline Cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is used as a filler (bulking agent). It is made from various ‘natural’ sources, such as:
  1. GMO corn.
  2. Wheat (and other grains).
  3. Wood.  
Corn, wheat and other grains are common food allergens for dogs. Does it make sense to give a dog suffering from allergies, more allergens? 
 
Hidden Ingredient: Glyphosate Residue
GMO corn, non-organic wheat and other non-organic grains are treated with the carcinogenic herbicide glyphosate (Round-Up).  In 2015 IARC concluded that glyphosate presents "sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity".  IARC designated glyphosate a probable human carcinogen.
 
Listed Ingredient - Stearic Acid 
Stearic acid suppress and destroys the body’s T-cells. T-cells play a key role in keeping white blood cells healthy.  Stearic acid also damages the liver. Learn more about stearic acid in this article.

Listed Ingredient - Pregelatinized Starch
Pregelatinized starch is (typically) derived from GMO corn.  
Hidden ingredient: GMO corn and glyphosate residue

Listed Ingredient - Starch
Starch is (typically) derived from GMO corn. 
Hidden Ingredient: glyphosate residue

Listed Ingredient - Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
PEG is a petroleum based compound that can be contaminated with ethylene oxide. 
Hidden ingredient: ethylene oxide  
Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, and may also cause genotoxicity. As the ethylene oxide is an ‘unintentional ingredient’ the FDA, Health Canada, the FSA place no restrictions on its presence in Benadryl.

Listed Ingredient – Gelatin
Gelatin used in Benadryl is sourced from rendered factory-farm (Confined Animal Feeding Operations – CAFO) raised animals. CAFO animals are fed a diet of GMO corn, GMO soy, and other toxic laden substances such as ractopine. 
Hidden ingredient: glyphosate reside, and other synthetic-chemical residues.

Listed Ingredient – Glycerin
The glycerin used in Benadryl is sourced from animals (CAFO raised) and/or from GMO corn, GMO soy or palm oil. 
Hidden Ingredient: glyphosate residue.
 

4.0  Adverse Side Effects of Benadryl

adverse side effects

Adverse side effects of Benadryl include:
a partial list
 
Gastrointestinal
  1. Inappetence
  2. Constipation
  3. Nausea
  4. Vomiting
Neurological
  1. Confusion
  2. Depression
  3. Drowsiness
  4. Dizziness
  5. Headache
  6. Irritability
  7. Nervousness
  8. Over excitement
Urinary Tract 
  1. Difficulty urinating
  2. Painful urination
Other
  1. Congestion in chest (increase of)
  2. Dry mouth, nose and/or throat
  3. Eye sight issues
  4. Heart beat increase
  5. Muscle weakness
  6. Restless leg syndrome
  7. Seizures
  8. Weight gain

5.0 Now That You Know Benadryl Isn't Safe

While Benadryl may temporarily alleviate allergy symptoms, use of Benadryl can also contribute to:
  1. Toxic load.
  2. Inflammation in the body.
  3. Chronic disease.
The FDA, Health Canada and the FSA do not consider the substances I list above, a health hazard when ingested in ‘small amounts’. 
 
However, Health Canada, the FDA and FSA do not assess:
  1. Long-term effect of ingesting multiple ‘small amounts’ present in a single product.
  2. Overall and accumulated impact of ingesting multiple food products, drugs, supplements and topical products containing these substances. 
The FDA, Health Canada and the FSA do not factor-in impact of these substances on an individual's personal circumstances.
 
Now you know why I do not recommend giving Benadryl (or its generic version - Diphenhydramine) to dogs and cats.

So, what can you use instead of Benedryl? I will provide you with a few of the many natural alternatives.

6.0 Natural Alternatives to Benadryl

6.1 Quercetin a Natural Antihistamine for Dogs and Cats
 
quercetin, a natural antihistamine for dogs and cats

Quercetin is called ‘nature’s Benadryl'. Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants.  Quercetin can be obtained by consuming foods that naturally contain quercetin. However, when allergy symptoms are present a concentrated form of quercetin is required. 
 
Learn more about quercetin including:
  1. Health benefits for your dog and cat.
  2. Dosage instructions and dosage by body weight.
Go to this article.

6.2 Homeopathic Remedies
 
homeopathic remediesfor dogs and cats, a safe alternative to Benadryl
 
6.2.1 Apis Mellifica Homeopathic Remedy
 
The homeopathic remedy, Apis Mellifica is helpful for treating hot spots, insect bites and stings, swollen, puffy, watery-filled inflammation, eyes swollen partially or mostly shut from environmental allergies, etc. 
 
Other symptoms that indicate Apis Mellifica is a good match for your dog and cat:
  • The individual may also be sensitive to touch. 
  • Pain is better with cold and worse with heat.
 
6.2.2 Belladonna Homeopathic Remedy
 
The homeopathic remedy Belladonna can be helpful for treating: asthma, hay fever symptoms, hot spots that appear suddenly, the skin is bright red and shiny but dry.
 
The three remedies listed above are a sampling of the many natural treatments that can replace Benadryl. 
 
When choosing a natural treatment make sure you check health contradictions, and drug interactions to ensure that the remedy is suitable for your dog and cat’s personal circumstances. 
 
6.2.3 Dosing Guidelines
 
Dosing for acute situations, e.g. bee sting, insect bite, sudden appearance of hot spots, etc.

A Single Dose Is:
  • Small dogs: 3 pillules
  • Medium dogs: 4 pillules
  • Large dogs: 4 pillules
  • X-Large dogs: 5 pillules
Dosing:
  1. Give three single doses fifteen (15) minutes apart.
  2. If necessary, another one or two single doses can be administered later in the day, keep these doses at least an hour to several hours apart.
  3. When possible, best to dose at least 30 minutes away from food.
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:
 
Maintain good health | Address acute and chronic health issues | Pre and post surgery support and recovery
 
My holistic wellness services are available worldwide via video consultation.

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To set-up your holistic wellness consultation get in-touch via email:
Contact me.

 
Holistic Behavioral Services For Your Dog
 
For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
For dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds
 
My holistic behavioral services are available locally in-person and worldwide via video session.
 
🌎  USA | Canada | UK | Europe | Australia | New Zealand | Asia | South and Central America | Africa | UAE
 
📱 FaceTime | Facebook | Skype | WhatsApp
 
To set-up your holistic behavioral session get in-touch via email:
Contact me.
 
Affiliations to Companies
✓ None.
✓ I don't sell food or supplements.
✓ I'm not aligned with any companies.

Article by Karen Rosenfeld

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