How Much Benadryl Can You Give a Dog Before Grooming? Doses and Warnings
What can I give my dog for anxiety before grooming?
Can Benadryl Help With Dog Anxiety?
"My dog is terrified of going to the groomer. What can I give her to calm her down? Is Benadryl good? If so, how much can I give her? She is 10 pounds. I'm hoping to take some of her anxiety away so she can be groomed."—Mona
Yes, Diphenhydramine Can Help
Diphenhydramine, the active ingredient in over-the-counter Benadryl, can sometimes be used as a mild sedative when taking your dog in for grooming. But be sure to read the label on the Benadryl that you buy—in some places, this medication contains a different type of antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness. You want diphenhydramine to be the only active ingredient.
The mild sleepiness that most dogs feel after a dose of diphenhydramine is just a side effect. It does nothing for anxiety but can help them be a little less reactive. If your dog is not aggressive at the groomers, this may be enough, but if this works and you give it for several years, it can become less effective.
How Much Benadryl Can I Give My Dog?
A good dose to try the first time you use it is 1 to 2 mg per pound of body weight. Since your dog is 10 pounds, about half a 25 mg diphenhydramine tablet would be fine. If you are using this for a much smaller dog, you can sometimes find 10 mg tablets at your local pharmacy.
The toxic dose of this medication is quite high, and a review of over 600 cases of toxicity showed that it is rarely toxic; the symptoms, even when it was toxic, were usually mild, and supportive treatment was usually enough to help the symptoms go away. (1)
Signs of Benadryl Poisoning in Dogs?
If you did give too much and a toxic reaction was to happen, some of the signs you might see include:
- Hyperactivity
- Agitated
- High body temperature (fever)
- Ataxia (wobbly on his feet)
- Tremors
- Excessive salivation (drooling saliva)
- Fast heart rate
If you are going to use this medication, make sure that you do not purchase Benadryl-D. It contains pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, and this ingredient can make your dog sick—if you give too much, he can die. (2) Also, make sure you let the groomers know that your dog has received this sedative so they can watch for any adverse reaction.
Alternatives for Dog Anxiety
Even though Benadryl is not really a sedative, it is fine to try when taking your dog in for grooming, but you need to know that it does not always work. There are many other great methods to help a dog relax. Some alternatives include:
- Calming treats: Melatonin and passion fruit calming chews contain compounds that may be effective for minor stress, such as going to the groomer. If Benadryl is not effective, this is the best alternative.
- Acepromazine: This is an older sedative available for your veterinarian. Groomers commonly use it when working with aggressive dogs, but it has side effects, so it is not appropriate for a dog that only gets upset, not aggressive.
- Anxiety medications: There are several mood-altering drugs available from your regular veterinarian. You do not indicate how severe his behavior is when at the groomer, though, so I am reluctant to recommend this treatment if she does not need it.
The veterinarian in the video below recommends some holistic alternatives for sedating your dog before grooming.
Natural Sedatives for Grooming Anxiety
One of them, Rescue Remedy, is just water and will not do any good. If you want to try the valerian root extract instead of the Benadryl, though, it may be effective.
Although it is uncommon to have any side effects, I would still recommend trying the diphenhydramine at home before you give it to her and take her for grooming. If the 1 mg per pound does not do much, you can safely increase this to 4 mg per pound the next day.
If this works, and you decide to dose your dog before taking him for his next grooming session, be sure to let the groomer know what and how much you have given. (Some groomers may have a veterinarian to help them with aggressive dogs and will need to know this before giving another medication.)
If your dog has any health problems or is on any other medication please do not use this without first consulting with your regular veterinarian.
Sources
- Worth AC, Wismer TA, Dorman DC. Diphenhydramine exposure in dogs: 621 cases (2008-2013). J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2016 Jul 1;249(1):77-82. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27308885/
- Kang MH, Park HM. Application of carvedilol in a dog with pseudoephedrine toxicosis-induced tachycardia. Can Vet J. 2012 Jul;53(7):783-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3377463/
This article is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from your veterinarian. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.
© 2024 Mark dos Anjos, DVM
