If you’re losing sleep from your dog trying to give your bedtime the “4D” cinematic experience — scratching, shaking the bed, whining, etc. — without leaving Vero Beach? You’re not alone. Many pet parents reach for something that works on their own allergies: Benadryl.
Can I give my dog Benadryl for their allergies?
TL;DR: Sure. You can give it at a dosage of 1–2 mg/lb every 8–12 hours, and it probably won’t hurt anything in most healthy dogs. But it’s also not likely to stop the itch long term.
Why Benadryl Usually Doesn’t Help Much with Itchy Skin
Benadryl, or diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine. Antihistamines can be useful in dogs to treat allergic reactions like an insect bite or sting, motion sickness, and to provide sedation, but they’re not very useful for skin allergies.
This is because dogs with skin allergies don’t itch primarily because of histamine, the chemical that antihistamines block. Instead, the itch is caused by other chemical signals in the body — like IL-31 — that antihistamines just can’t touch. That’s why even a correct dose of Benadryl usually won’t stop the scratching for long.
Then Why Would You Use Benadryl for an Itchy Dog?
Benadryl can be used for its sedative effects. It has what I call an “anti-scratch” effect instead of an “anti-itch” effect. If a dog takes Benadryl at 1–2 mg/lb, they might get sleepy enough that they lose the motivation to scratch even if the itch is still there.
In dogs with extreme itch — to the point they’re hurting themselves — and they can’t get to see me right away, I will sometimes recommend using a sedative to stop further damage until they can get a proper itch-relieving medication. Benadryl is an easy go-to since it is a relatively safe and readily available medication a pet parent can use.
What Can We Do Instead of Benadryl?
In Vero Beach, we see allergy flare ups year-round due to our warm, humid climate and wide variety of plant life. Thankfully, there are a number of medications that will provide far superior itch relief in dogs:Cytopoint – This is an injection that contains a designer antibody that neutralizes one of the primary signals, IL-31, causing allergic itch in dogs.
What’s great about it?
- Single-dose injection that lasts about a month
- Often works within a day
- Few, if any, side effects — when the antibodies are used up or break down, they’re just recycled by the body
- Doesn’t interfere with other medications (important for dogs with other diseases)
What’s not so great about it?
- Can be expensive; cost depends on the size of the dog
- May not work for every dog
Apoquel – This is an oral medication that blocks one of the pathways in the body that causes itch and inflammation.
What’s great about it?
- Fast-acting
- Effective for inflammation
- Oral — can be increased during times of breakthrough itch
What’s not so great about it?
- Variable dosing can be confusing
- Doses can be forgotten
- Common side effects include vomiting and diarrhea
- Ongoing research into possible effects on the body’s natural defenses against certain cancers
- Less expensive than Cytopoint, but still expensive
Steroids – Oral anti-inflammatory medications.
What’s great about them?
- Very effective against itch and inflammation
- Fast-acting
- Low cost
What’s not so great about them?
- Side effects — and lots of them
- Most common: increased thirst, urination, and hunger
- Long-term use can cause liver changes, muscle loss, and immune suppression
What Else Do I Need to Know?
So far, we’ve only talked about treating itch, but it’s important to take care of any underlying causes of the itch or diseases created by the itch. Anti-itch medications won’t kill fleas, treat infections, or relieve pain. The Treasure Coast is filled with plenty of skin disease causing hazards for dogs, not just allergens.
Make sure you bring up any other concerns and get a full veterinary exam for your dog so you’re not just treating a symptom but missing the cause.
The Bottom Line
You’re not a bad pet parent if you’ve tried Benadryl — most people do! Benadryl can sometimes help calm an itchy dog, mostly by making them sleepy. But it’s usually not the best way to fix the itch for good. Most of the time, there’s a better medicine that will actually stop the itch instead of just covering it up.If your dog is scratching, licking, or chewing a lot, don’t wait — itchy skin can get worse fast. We can figure out what’s really going on and get your pup feeling better.
Click here to book an appointment and let’s help your dog get back to being happy and comfortable.
1905 43rd Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960
📅 Hours:
Mon: 9 AM – 5 PM
Tue – Fri: 9 AM – 8 PM
Sat & Sun: Closed
📞 Call Us: 772-925-1625