What If My Cat Is Having A Severe Allergic Reaction
Take your cat to a veterinarian immediately if you suspect that he is having a severe allergic reaction. Do not give your cat Benadryl to see if the symptoms disappear. Just like people, cats sometimes experience a major whole-body allergic reaction known as anaphylactic shock from insect bites, bee stings, medications, food, vaccines, or other allergens.
Benadryl is not powerful enough to stop the symptoms of anaphylaxis. The symptoms usually appear within minutes and may include severe itching, throat swelling, drooling, vomiting, breathing problems, diarrhea, urination, seizures, pale gums, coma, and even death.
Tablets Liquid Benadryl And Spray: Which Is Best For Cats
For a precise dose, liquid Benadryl for cats is best. It is also simple to disguise the liquid form of Benadryl in your cats food or drink for the fussiest purring prince or princess.
Tablets are also an option but it can be more difficult to get the correct dosage right. The bonus of tablets is they can be easily crushed and hidden in food, and are less messy than trying to get Benadryl liquid in your kittys mouth.
Another option is Benadryl spray, which is especially effective in treating skin conditions. Used topically directly on rashes, it can soothe itching in cats.
When You Shouldnt Use Benadryl
If your cat receives medication for some other kind of health problem, avoid using Benadryl as it might either interfere with that drugs action or cause serious side effects. Heres a list of medications that it interferes with:
- Amitraz
- Heparin
- CNC depressants
If your cat has been bitten by a snake, scorpion, or any other type of insect/animal, dont just give her Benadryl because it wont fix the problem. She needs to be taken to a vet right away, instead. If your cat is known for having loose stools or she has problems with her digestion, in general, avoid giving her this medication as it could cause diarrhea episodes.
Side effects
Here are some potential adverse reactions that you could see in your cat if youve given her Benadryl.
- Disorientation
- Lowered urination frequency and quantity
- Dry mouth
Wrap-up
It would certainly be a good idea to have Benadryl in your home in case you do need to give it to your cat at one point or the other. However, as is the case with many other types of medications primarily intended for people, Benadryl shouldnt be given to cats in excess, too often, or while the cat is under treatment with other types of drugs.
Last, but not least, we have to note that Benadryl only solves the symptoms of an issue. This means that if the cat is allergic to something, she will still have an allergy if the allergen does not disappear from her living environment. Find the cause and eliminate it, if you can.
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How Much Benadryl Can You Give A Cat
Any cat parents know that there are times their feline children get a bad allergy. Sometimes allergy symptoms are so mild that they can be neglected and left there to disappear on their own. But sometimes they are more noticeable and prolong cats suffering. In this case, cat owners often think of Benadryl as a common solution to allergy and itchiness. Maybe youre one of them.
But medical administration to pets is not simple. There are so many questions to ask. Benadryl has been confirmed safe to give to cats, but the dose is very different from dogs. How does Benadryl work?;How much Benadryl can you give a cat? How can you give the drug to cats? This article gives you exactly the answers youve been looking for.
Can I Give My Itchy Cat Benadryl
Before you give your cat anything to help with his itchiness, make sure youre treating the real cause.
If you suffer from allergies, youre probably familiar with the soothing effects of an antihistamine like Benadryl. But you may not know that its possible to share that portion of your medicine cabinet with your itchy, sneezing cat. Benadryl is generally considered to be safe for cats and is sometimes used to treat allergies and allergic reactions in cats. However, as with any medical problem and treatment, its important to reach out to your veterinarian for help before giving your cat anything out of their ordinary routine.;
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How To Give A Cat Benadryl
You will want to hold your cats head still using one hand to prevent them from refusing the medication while actually giving them the medication with the other hand.
Insert the syringe into the corner of your cats mouth so that the tip is between the teeth and the cheek and is facing the back of the head.
As you are holding your cat in this way, they might become anxious. It can help if you have another person around to help hold or pet your cat and keep them calm.
Additionally, you should talk to your cat in soothing and reassuring tones throughout this process to help keep their anxiety levels low.
If you do not have another person around to help with this step, a large towel can be used.
Wrap your cat in the towel so only the head is free, and hold the wrapped cat against your body. Be careful not to wrap the cat too tightly.
If your cat becomes too agitated while you are administering the Benadryl, you may want to stop and try again later.
This will give your cat a chance to calm down so you can start the process up again at a later time.
A common mistake here is to tip the cats head back to make the process easier.
According to Vet Street, This is;actually a dangerous thing to do;because it can cause your cat to inhale the medication rather than swallowing it.
Instead, hold their head steadily facing forward as you inject the medication from the syringe into their mouth.
How Can Benadryl Help My Cat
The most common use for Benadryl in humans is as an allergy symptom reliever. It can also be found as a sleeping aid. But do owners give their cats Benadryl for the same reasons that they would medicate themselves with this drug?
You may have heard others say that Benadryl is an antihistamine. The purpose of an antihistamine, presented by Medicine Net, is to simply block histamines or chemicals from becoming active.
Histamines give way to several annoying symptoms such as sneezing, inflammation, and drowsiness.;
A somewhat familiarized misconception about antihistamines is that they stop the allergens themselves. However, This is not the case, as they merely protect your body from feeling the side effects.;
Benadryl can be used to treat several feline symptoms, most of which can be found below.
Allergies: Just as with humans, cats are prone to allergies. Benadryl can stop the symptoms before it becomes unbearable.
Skin issues: Many owners find it useful to take the edge off of wanting to scratch at their dermal layer.
Vaccine reactions: Any new medication that you expose your cat to can result in an allergic reaction. Benadryl has been known to lessen the severity of these reactions.
Pest problems: Even if you have an indoor cat, its not unlikely to see them be plagued by a bug bite. Benadryl will calm that sensation.
Pre-vet helper: Going to the vets office can be extremely stressful, making Benadryl a preferred method to calm down a feline.
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Can You Give Benadryl To Cats
As a cat owner, you would do anything for your furry friend. This includes giving them medicines to help when they are sick or providing them with cat insurance.
Here we will examine a particular medicine called Benadryl. We will dive into its uses, understanding how it works, what its used for in cats, cat allergies, and more. By understanding these, it is our hope that you can rest easy knowing your pets are safe and you have another way of helping them when needed.;
However, we must understand more about the medicine.
Can Cats Take Benadryl For Bug Bites
Benadryl can help cats who have mild itching from mosquito bites or bee stings. Bug bites are just as much of a nuisance for cats as they are for people. Cat fur does not provide much protection. Like people, cats are vulnerable to mosquitoes, fleas, ticks, bees, hornets, wasps, mites, and other insects. When an insect bites, it injects irritating saliva or poison into the skin. Some cats become more and more sensitive to bug bites over time, and an allergic reaction is the result.
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Where Can I Buy It
So where is the best place to buy Benadryl for pet owners? Online stores like Amazon make it quick and easy to have the medication sent wherever you live. Otherwise, you can buy Benadryl for cats or generic diphenhydramine at any reputable drugstore.
Our animals are our furry babies, so its no wonder we freak out when theyre not feeling well! Being educated on the medicines you already have at home to treat them is an invaluable way to make sure your animal loved ones are happy and healthy.
With consultation with your vet, you can treat them from the safety and comfort of home. If you have a cat that suffers from symptoms that can be alleviated by Benadryl, try it at home today.
Can Cats Take Benadryl For Sneezing
Sneezing is caused by irritation of the nerves inside the sinuses. Just like humans, cats sneeze from time to time, and there are literally dozens of different conditions that can cause a cat to sneeze. If your cat is sneezing a lot, it is a good idea to go to a veterinarian and get a proper diagnosis. Benadryl can help your cat stop sneezing if he has mild seasonal allergies, but Benadryl will not relieve sneezing if your cat has a lung infection or another serious respiratory disease.
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Can You Give Your Cat Benadryl And If So How Much
You probably dont think about it much, but whenever you have an allergic reaction, you can just take a Benadryl for the symptoms. Sure, and you may have even heard of being able to give dogs Benadryl for the same reasons as well, but what about your cat? Can you give you cat Benadryl and if so, how much?
Well, first of all, yes, you can give your cat Benadryl; its safe. As the medication is a simple antihistamine, its not only relatively safe for humans and dogs, but also for cats, too. Benadryl is the brand name of the medication, but diphenhydramine is what the active ingredient is called, which can also be purchased in generic form as well. In addition, the allergy medicine your veterinarian may give you is the exact same medication you can pick up at your local grocery/drug/dollar store.
How to Give Benadryl to a Cat
As far as how much medicine you should give to your cat, most vets recommend 1 mg of active ingredient per pound of weight. An average sized cat would most likely take a half of pill, which generally contain 25 mg of the active ingredient. Liquid Benadryl can be adjusted accordingly.
Why Does a Cat Need Benadryl?
What to Watch Out For
How Do I Know If My Cat Is Overdosing On Benadryl
There are several ways to know if your feline friend needs to see a veterinarian right away. Weve outlined them below.
Your Cat Is Experiencing Excessive Fatigue;
Fatigue is a normal side-effect of Benadryl, but if your cat is unresponsive and completely lethargic, he or she might have had too much medication.
It is okay for your cat to take longer naps, but they should be waking up at regular intervals. If your cat doesnt engage with treats, catnip or their favorite toy at all, there might be a problem.
Your Cat Is Suffering From Diarrhea;
Diarrhea is a dangerous symptom in cats because it might indicate that they are experiencing dehydration. If your cat is having bouts of diarrhea after taking Benadryl, it is time to consult a veterinarian.
Your Cat Is Vomiting;
Benadryl is usually used to help cats stop vomiting. If they start vomiting after taking the medication, there could be a problem.
You cat might have taken too much, or maybe it even having an allergic reaction to the Benadryl.
It might seem counterintuitive to think about cats having allergic reactions to an allergy medication but it definitely happens. If your cat starts vomiting take them to the veterinarian right away.
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Precautions To Take When Giving Benadryl To Cats
Just like in people, Benadryl can cause a wide range of symptoms. Your cat may act drowsy. The drug, sometimes, may also cause a cat to get amped up or hyper. Overdoses can lead to seizures, coma, difficulties breathing, and even death.
As with giving any new medication, its best to talk it over with your vet to see if Benadryl might be right for your cat and ensure that the dosage wont interfere with any other medications your cat may be taking.
Its also best to ensure that the medication is not masking a larger issue, says Faught.
Oftentimes, you can have mites or infection or something else that’s going on that might be the underlying component, he says. Benadryl treats a symptom; it doesn’t necessarily take away an underlying problem.
If your cat is having a severe allergic reactionwith problems such as trouble breathingits best to contact your vet to discuss the issue instead of just giving Benadryl to see if the symptom disappears.;
Image:;iamreal-kobzeva;via Shutterstock
What Can Benadryl Be Used For
Youll be surprised by the variety of problems that Benadryl can fix or at least improve the symptoms of. Lets have a look at each and every one.
Allergies
Allergies in cats can be developed spontaneously. If your cat is allergic to your deodorizer, houseplant, perfume, or household cleaner, she might not be able to breathe properly. Removing the allergen sometimes doesnt fix the problem or it could take a couple of days for the allergy symptoms to go away.
Also, cats might have sensitive skin and develop redness or inflammation as a result of being allergic to plastic bowls, detergent, woolen bedding, or even some types of toys . Benadryl can make all of the clinical signs of a cat allergy milder.
Reactions to vaccines
There are many cats that are likely to have an allergic reaction to vaccinations. Thats why some vets give Benadryl to a cat even before they give her the shot. Even if your cat has never had an allergic response to a vaccine before, that doesnt eliminate the possibility that it happens in the future.
Manufacturers use different additives and preservatives in their biological products, and if you switch from one to another without even realizing it, your cat could be allergic to the new one.
Motion sickness
Anxiety or stress
Bug bites
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Can You Give Cat Benadryl For Sneezing
Sneezing can be a symptom of allergic reaction or nasal infection. You can use Benadryl for sneezing as a primary medicine.
But, if the sneezing continues, you need to visit the vet immediately. Remember that, sneezing can be a symptom of many underlying problems. So, it is better if a vet performs a full body check up on your cat.
So, this is my full guide on Benadryl for cats. I hope the guide has succeeded to give you a basic idea on how to use Benadryl for cats. If you have any more question, dont hesitate to ask me in the comment box below. Ill reply as soon as I can.
To Prevent Nausea Or Motion Sickness
You can give Benadryl to your cat while you are traveling. It will help to calm down your pet. Also, when you are hosting noisy guests in your home, its most likely that your cat will get upset by the disturbances and noises. Give it Benadryl to make it feel relaxed.
If your cat is experiencing restlessness, excessive scratching, and anxiety, all these can be suppressed with Benadryl.
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Can You Give Benadryl To Your Cat
Benadryl is one of the medications produced for humans use. However, it is also considered as a safe medicine for cats too. So, yes, you can give Benadryl to your cat. Not all medicines manufactured for humans can be given to cats. However, there are a few human drugs that are safe and efficient for cats; such as Benadryl for cats , and they also administer the medicine to cats.
How To Give Your Cat Benadryl
Every cat is different.
Their tastes and how they like to eat are all different.
Like I said before, giving cats any type of medication is bananas.
Note: They may foam at the mouth, scream a little and run around to get away from you.
Prepare a kit with a variety of ways to help alleviate the stress for your cat after giving meds.
And a towel, for the mess.
Below is a great video by Cats And Pats:
You could try these various ways to give your cat Benadryl listed below:
- Crush the pills and try to mix with food
- Coat the cut end of the pill with butter or a flavor they like so its easier going down
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Use Benadryl For Cats Safely
Benadryl for cats can safely and effectively help if your cat is itchy, sneezing or experiencing swelling. However, even though Benadryl is easy to obtain and give to your cat at home, it is vital that you seek veterinary care for your cat as soon as possible.
This article is 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 pets medical condition. Do not delay seeking professional veterinary advice because of something read on the internet.