Cat Benadryl Dosage Calculator - Determine Healthy Benadryl Dosage for your Cat
If your cat has been displaying symptoms of an allergic reaction, motion sickness, or vomiting 😿 and you've been wondering about Benadryl dosage for cats by weight, Catculator is here to help. 👩🏫
Benadryl, which is a brand name for the drug diphenhydramine hydrochloride, is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of allergies in cats, including swelling, itching, sneezing and hives, that result from insect bites or stings, exposure to environmental allergens like grass or pollen, and reactions to flea bites or vaccines.
Note that if your cat is experiencing anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction that is distinguished by difficulty breathing, facial swelling, seizures, or collapse), Benadryl may not be of help — you need to take your cat to the nearest veterinarian clinic urgently. 🏥
❗ This article and the app are for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary care. Always talk to your veterinarian about questions you may have regarding your pet's medical condition. Do not delay seeking professional veterinary advice because of something read on the internet.
Table of Contents
Is Benadryl Safe for Cats?
Although in general cats can have Benadryl, you should never give Benadryl to your cat without consulting with your veterinarian to avoid serious health complications.
It's best to call your veterinarian to ask about using Benadryl for your cat because some cats should not take Benadryl, including cats with certain medical conditions (for instance, heart problems or glaucoma), those taking other medications, pregnant or nursing cats, and cats who are allergic to diphenhydramine.
Here are some precautions you should take to ensure your precious fluffy pet is safely getting the treatment it needs:
- 💊 Avoid gel capsules, which contain a solvent (a dissolving medium) that can cause irritation or may even be toxic to cats.
- 💡 Pay attention to the active ingredient of the medication you're purchasing. If the medication contains other active ingredients than diphenhydramine, you need to consult your veterinarian.
- 🔎 Make sure your cat receives the correct dosage according to its exact weight. If you're in doubt, you can always double-check with your veterinarian and triple-check using our cat Benadryl dosage calculator!
What are the side effects of Benadryl in Cats?
Some common side effects of Benadryl that you might notice in your cat include:
- Hyperexcitability
- Dry mouth
- Decreased urination
- Decreased interest in food
- Sedation
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
How To Give Benadryl To Cats?
If you are giving Benadryl tablets, hold your cat in your lap or place her up on a table. Carefully point your cat's head toward the ceiling, open your cat's mouth by placing one finger on the lower teeth and quickly place the pill as far back into the throat as possible. Then, allow your cat to close her mouth and gently stroke her under the chin to encourage her to swallow the pill. Hold your cat's mouth closed until you know that she has swallowed the pill.
If giving liquid Benadryl, use the measuring syringe included in the package to measure the correct dose of Benadryl. Position the syringe just inside her mouth, behind one of her canine teeth. Aim the syringe far back into the mouth to the back of the tongue, then gently and slowly squirt the liquid into your cat’s mouth, giving your cat time to swallow and breathe. Whether giving tablets or liquid, softly blowing on your cat’s face and nose may help encourage your cat to swallow the Benadryl. Alternatively, you can try hiding a tablet into food or mixing liquid into food.
How can Benadryl Dosage Calculator Help?
Catculator has a built-in Benadryl Dosage calculator that lets you calculate tablet and liquid Benadryl requirements for a given weight of cat. You can share the calculator results with you vetinarian as well. Better Safe than Sorry!