Benadryl for cats?

[dallas tuthill]

I am old now and have not practiced veterinary medicine for many years (graduated from Cornell Veterinary College in 1950). Went to medical school later, and practiced as a board-certified internist instead.

Anyway, if I remember correctly, cats and Benadryl do not always "get along" too well. I am therefore surprised to see recommendations for using that medication for a cat! Benadryl for many animals, humans included, acts as a kind of sedative. And, some OTC sleep potions even contain Benadryl, or the like.

However, I think that I learned that, at least sometimes, a cat is instead "stimulated" by Benadryl. And, incidentally, this is the way it has affected me, thus I don't use it. Therefore, I would be careful about prescribing Benadryl or its cogeners for various allergies, especially in a cat!

I have used "Allegra" and "Claritin," and have not had untoward effects myself.

Dallas Tuthill, DVM, MD

 

[catsallaround]

Benadryl can cause hyperness.  Little off topic but I have a dog that has anxiety.  Was told to give a dose.  She was so alert she did not know what to do with herself during thunder.  Xanax does the same even without thunder.

Just like kids, some parents give a dose to "knock out" their kids and it ends up making them WIRED. Some parents only find this out on a plane flight...

 

[pazke]

This is your vet that recommended it and you are looking for advice on an online forum because you are second guessing her?  I have heard of cats and dogs being given benadryl by vets.  The thing you need to worry about is dosage, and your vet gave you that.  Yes, you are being paranoid.  

 

[cinthomspn]

I have a cat taking benadryl after the vet recommended it. Check the ASPCA's web site under cats and allergies, they even say that you can give your pet benadryl. I have a cat with serious allergies and that is what she has to take or she would scratch the skin off of her little body. She get a little tired, but it is better than the alternative, which is the big sores she gets on her body from itching. We love her and would not want to do anything that would be harmful to her. She is a part of our family, so anything that we can do to help her feel better we will do. The vet said it was safe and so does the ASPCA.  I hope this info is helpful. Good luck hun.

 

[specklebang]

cinthomspn. My 14 year old boy cat has a history of asthma and fur loss. I consulted with my excellent Vet and he referred me to a dermatology specialist. At her suggestion, I put him on 10 mg. of generic Claritin a day and he has had a 100% recovery. 2 years without an asthma attack and his coat has returned to the beautiful lustrous condition of his youth.

Benadryl is also valid but it makes them sleepy. Claritin is a much better choice. After the initial recovery, I reduced him to 5 mg. (1/2 a pill) a day. You can buy generic Claritin for next to nothing on Amazon.

• pazke

As for criticizing people who seek advice here...Vets don't know everything and it's perfectly valid to seek advice here. I paid a lot for the advice I'm giving here and my regular Vet had to refer me to solve the problem. If you don't think people should be here posting questions, why are YOU here? 

 

[dmaynard]

As far as the benadryl for cats, I asked the vet today. She didn't think it was a good idea but rather a steroidal treatment administered by the vet's office. She did say something about using vanilla or something cat doesn't like that they wouldn't want to lick off. I read somewhere about Apple cider vinegar as a home remedy. I think they put it on a paper towel or cotton ball and applied it to the area in question. Anyone ever hear about that???

 

[dmaynard]

Thanks for your suggestions and comments.

 

[lmwestwind]

I too was very scared to give my older sick cat Benadryl.... but I was at a loss as to how to help him.  He was dumped on me when the neighbors up & moved and didn't take him. He goes through periods of constant runny nose & wheezing. To the point of cat snot being sneezed on everything in my house (maybe his issues are why he got dumped). After hundreds of dollars of Every antibiotic made for cats & steroids... my vet threw his hands up in the air in defeat. short of taking the cat through MRI's & scans and thousands of dollars of "cat specialists" he had no answer for me.  I basically came to a decision of putting the cat to sleep... or trying our own home remedies. I asked the vet what he thought of Benadryl. he said I could try it, he couldn't recommend it & try to keep the dosage low. Tried the liquid childrens med.  I don't give my cat the recommended dose... I only give him about 1-2 CC's.  He hates it & salivates everywhere....but it worked. It has basically saved this cats life.  I'm sure it doesn't work for every cat & yes, just like humans & any medication.... there can be very adverse side effects. But this cat would be dead without trying this.

 

[dmaynard]

God bless you IMWESTWIND for not giving up on this kitty like the previous owners did. I hope you will be rewarded with many years of unconditional love from this feline

 

[grayson]

my cat started licking the underside of his chin and the side of his neck. He has totally torn it open. We took him to the vets and had blood work done, all kinds of tests. we had a garden put in the back and then had that moved just in case it was the flowers. We have done everything that we and the vet can possibly think of to do. Our next option is the dermatologist. Did you find the answers you needed and is the cat feeling better. Our only other option according to the vet and she said she has only had to do it once was put Aja to sleep, which is something we definitely don't want to do. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

 

[specklebang]

2.5 years of Claritin and it still does the job and he's one healthy, happy cat. Ask your Vet of course but really - Claritin works and doesn't taste bad. I also put my other constantly sneezing girl cat on it and it seems to helkp and definitely does not harm them. I take them to the Vet if they so much as look at me cross-eyed so they gave been repeatedly checked and the Claritin (generic)  is SAFE. 

 

[3catgurl]

 
 Did you find the answers you needed and is the cat feeling better. Our only other option according to the vet and she said she has only had to do it once was put Aja to sleep, which is something we definitely don't want to do. Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Please do try to get a second opinion from another vet. You might need a fresh pair of veterinary eyes to see a solution?

As for using Benadryl my vet told me to keep some of the liquid children's handy (we have some really nasty hornets and my girls are keen on hunting them...and I like to be prepared.) He told me the dosage to use (if one of them ate one of the hornets and had a reaction). Fingers crossed, I won't ever have to actually use it (except on the husband who is as bad at taking medicine as the cats!)

 

[betina07]

Hello, This is my first post. I adopted my cat Abby about four and a half months ago from my local no-kill shelter. I took her in to the vet about a month ago because I thought she had ear mites. It turned out she didn't but the vet said she probably has allergies. Well now she is still digging at her ears occasionally and you can just barely see her third eyelids (not much just a little bit in the corners) so I called the vet and they recommended Benadryl (1ml once or twice a day). I thought I had read on here not to give cats Benadryl so I wanted to check before I give her any human medicine.



I admit that I am a paranoid Meowmy since I haven't owned a cat in a very long time, as she's been to the vets twice since I got her

. Plus it's a little embarrassing since I have an Animal Science degree -- but it's been a looong time since I graduated and I'm no longer in the field.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[babyboy]

Keep in mind that food allergies in cats can mimic environmental allergies.  Grains can often be the culprit in a cat's diet.  I would recommend a grain-free diet to see if that helps your cat's allergic reactions.  There are many grain-free cat food options on the market, both can and dry.