Benadryl for Cats
Benadryl is an over-the-counter antihistamine. It is used to calm allergic reaction in humans but can also be used to control a cat allergy or provide relief from motion sickness. If you cat has been vomiting then Benadryl can help to alleviate its symptoms.
Benadryl Side Effects in Cats
Like the majority of medications, there are side effects associated with Benadryl. Side effects are relatively rare but they do occur. If you have given your cat Benadryl it is important to keep a close eye on him in case anything develops.
The most common side effect that can occur with Benadryl is drowsiness. With this, your cat might also become clumsy so keep an eye on their movements. Other side effects include: excessive drooling (the taste of Benadryl is bitter to cats) and a loss of appetite.
Although not ever cat is going to develop side effects to the medicine, older felines have a greater chance of doing so. However, whatever age your cat is, it is important to make sure you give them a good supply of water while they are taking Benadryl.
Benadryl Shouldn't Be Used with Following Medical Conditions
It is a good idea not to give your cat Benadryl if it has an existing medical condition. If your cat has any of the following conditions you shouldn't try to treat their vomiting with Benadryl:
- Heart disease
- Lung disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Glaucoma
- Seizure disorders
- Bladder disorders
- Kidney disorders
Like all medications, it is a good idea to discuss whether Benadryl is right for your cat with your vet before administering it yourself.
Giving your Cat Benadryl
If you have discussed all other options with your vet and you both feel that Benadryl will help your cat, you need to make sure you give the right dosage. Often, vets will give a very specific prescription. However, if you are doing it yourself, the dosage guidelines are usually 1mg of Benadryl per pound in body weight. For example, if your cat weighs 10 pounds, you would give it a maximum of 10mg of Benadryl. Each dose of the medication should be administered every 8 hours.
If you are buying the Benadryl yourself, you must only purchase plain Benadryl. Other brands are available, such as Benadryl for Colds and Benadryl Decongestant. However, these also contain other types of medicine that could be very harmful to your cat so they should be avoided. Benadryl tablets are also better than liquid Benadryl. The latter is very high in alcohol and so isn't suitable for animal consumption. As always, if in doubt, check with your vet before giving your cat the medication.