Benadryl for Dogs – why I DON’T recommend using it - adverse long-term
impacts on health...
Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tab, or Benadryl LiquiGels are synthetic-chemical
drugs. Many veterinarians recommend one of the two products for dogs suffering
from symptoms of allergies, swelling from insect stings, or spider bites, etc.
If you are on social media, you will see dog owners recommending Benadryl to
other dog owners. So what’s my issue with Benadryl?
If you use a Benadryl Ultra Tabs, or LiquiGels once or twice
over the span of your dog’s life, there is little to no cause for concern.
Dosing a dog with Benadryl, on a regular to semi-regular
basis is cause for concern – and is, in my opinion a health risk for the
following reasons…
Listed Ingredients In Benadryl
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
Medicinal (active) ingredients - Diphenhydramine
Non-medicinal (inactive) ingredients- gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol,
purified water, and sorbitol Capsules are imprinted with edible dye-free ink
Let’s Take a Look at Some
of These Ingredients
Listed ingredient - Titanium
dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a
neurotoxin, that contributes to the on-set of dementia. The International
Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as “possibly
carcinogenic to humans”.
Listed ingredient - Talc is
classified as a “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Truth is talc, like titanium
dioxide are additives that obviously do not support the maintenance of good
health.
Listed Ingredient - Microcrystalline
Cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is
used as a filler (bulking agent). It is made from various ‘natural’ sources, such
as GMO corn, wheat and grains, and wood. Corn, wheat and other grains are a top ‘food’ allergen
for many dogs. Does it make sense to give a dog suffering from allergies, more
allergens? Hidden ingredient – glyphosate residue; GMO corn and non-organic
wheat are contaminated with glyphosate.
Listed Ingredient - Stearic
acid is known to suppress, and cause extreme damage to the body’s T-cells.
T-cells play a role in keeping white blood cells healthy.
Listed Ingredient - Pregelatinized
starch. Pregelatinized starch is (typically) derived from GMO corn. Hidden
ingredient - GMO corn, and glyphosate residue. The IARC concluded that
glyphosate presents “sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity”.
Listed ingredient - Starch
Starch is (typically)
derived from GMO corn. Corn is an allergen for many dogs. Hidden ingredient –
glyphosate residue in GMO corn.
Listed ingredient - Polyethylene
glycol (PEG)
PEG is a petroleum based compound
that can be contaminated with ethylene oxide. Hidden ingredient 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 the rendering of factory-farm (Confined Animal Feeding Operations –
CAFO) raised animals, unless the gelatin is specified as non-GMO, or organic
sourced. 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.
While Benadryl may temporarily
alleviate symptoms of allergy, use of Benadryl can also contribute to a dog’s
toxic load, and, over-time create inflammation in the body, leading to 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; a) the long-term effect of ingesting multiple ‘small amounts’ present
in a single product, or; b) the 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 the
impact of these substances - on an individual that is already carrying a
substantial toxic load.
Now you know why I do not
recommend giving a dog Benadryl (or its generic version - Diphenhydramine).
So, what can you use
instead of Benedryl? I will provide you with a few of the many options…
Quercetin
Quercetin is called ‘nature’s Benedryl’. Quercetin is
a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants. Quercetin can be obtained naturally by
consuming foods high in Quercetin, and when necessary you can augment Quercetin
intake by using a Quercetin supplement. For detailed information on the use of
quercetin for your dog, you can continue reading here.
Apis Mellifica 30 C –
Homeopathic Remedy
A remedy for hot spots,
insect bites and stings, and other swollen, puffy, watery-filled areas of
redness and inflammation, eyes swollen partially or mostly shut from
environmental allergies, etc. The effected are may also be sensitive to touch. When
pain is better with cold and worse with heat, Apis may be the remedy for your
dog.
Belladona 30C – Homeopathic Remedy
A remedy for asthma, and hay fever symptoms, hot spots that appear
suddenly - the skin is bright red and
shiny but dry.
The three remedies listed above are just a sampling of the
many alternative medicines that can replace Benadryl. When choosing a natural
remedy make sure you check health condition contradictions, and drug
interactions to ensure that the remedy is suitable for your individual dog’s
circumstances.
Holistic Wellness and Behaviorist Services
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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld