Benadryl for cats?

I certainly would talk to the vet before giving your cat ANY medicine, especially human medicine. Even if theoretically it is safe you would need to detmerine an appropriate dosage. Call your vet and ask.

I read her post as being that the vet IS the one that suggested the Benedryl.

I personally would recommend getting a second opinion before giving human medicine.

Original poster wrote "I called the vet and they recommended Benadryl (1ml once or twice a day).".

I'm guessing that meant that benadryl is safe for cats.

I missed that you already called the vet, I guess Its ok if the vet said so.

How sweet are you?!?! Abby is so lucky to have found you! It's wonderful to hear someone else who has previously owned cats is a little paranoid over there new addition (I've been feeling the same way!). And who knew a vet would suggest Benadryl? I've never heard of that either! Maybe call another vet or two in your area, and ask one of the vet techs or assistants to check with their vets. I'm sure they would, just tell them you've already seen another vet, but wanted to double check.

Good Luck with Abby!!!! Keep us posted!

Benadryl can be used in dogs and cats ... I dont like to use it since I feel it drugs the animal to much.///

My dog Little Man gets Benedryl almost every day when the pollen is bad in summer. It helps his itching and it doesn't make him drowsy at all. Different people and animals respond to Benedryl differently. For instance, I can't take anything with psuedophedrine in it. Doesn't work on my symptoms, and it messes with my head. But I can take Benedryl. It clears my symptoms, and it leaves my head clear. If your vet said to give it to him, I would go ahead and give it a try. And if you don't like it, find something else to give him.

Amber

My cat PB has allergies as well...

My Vet suggested the following dosage...
1 mg of Diphenhydramine HCL per pound of body weight..

Liquid is 12.5 mg .. pills are 25mg

I was just at the vets and she also recommended Benedryl for my cat - I was just checking online to see if this was typical or not and apparently more vets recommend it for cats as well as dogs.

I was also just at the vets today and was told I could use children's benedryl (either pill or liquid) to calm my cat for an upcoming plane trip. She said either 1/2 pill or 1 teaspoon liquid. Has anyone used it for this use? And if so, what dose did you use? What weight was the cat?

I have given my pets benadryl for allergies on vet advice many times. I like it best for the 'wet' type allergies-ie runny eyes, sniffles. It helps dry them up. I never had much luck with it for 'itchy' allergies though. Just make sure you offer plenty of water.
I'd ask your vet how much to give. Dosage is tricky with all animals-and often females have a higher body fat ratio which makes them more resistant to many medications-the dose that may be fine for a 7 pound male composed of mostly muscle may not be effective for the same weight female who genetically carries more fat, even when she's in good shape.

Lily seems to have a bit of hay fever - not bad, but her little nose gets stuffy and you can here it when she breathes hard. The vet recommended liquid baby benadryl if felt it needed to be treated. She suggested a very small does, like 1cc. I haven't tried it as things seem a little better now that we've passed the high polin season, especially since Lily doesn't like to be held so I can't imagine she would put up with taking medicine very welll (she's my sweet little Bengal girl - loves petting and is very social, but turns into a little squirmer if you try to contain her!)

I'm so confused. I need a decongestant for my Buddy, but all they offer is antibiotic for sinus infection. I'm nearly certain that Bud simply has the same old hay-fever type allergies I have - headache, stuffy head, snotty throat, etc. The vet said they only use Benadryl on dogs. I don't think he needs anti-biotics, but I suppose he may if this gets worse. I know this sounds strange, but I think I may give him a sponge bath. I read that most times cats are affected by pollens by itching and stuff. He doesn't have this, but I figure it's worth a try. He hasn't been grooming very well anyway...

According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, Diphenhydramine is NOT recommended for cats. Clorpheniramine (Chlortrimeton) however, IS.

PLEASE be careful using human meds in cats. They lack an enzyme involved in drug metabolism! (Bless em, it's why they are NOT used much in pharmaceutical research! ).

I do not remember the dosage of chlorpheniramine in cats ... but you should be checking with your vet, anyhow!

I read that about Clorpheniramine also... but I couldn't get the vet (or his assistant) to acknowledge it. If symptoms continue for Buddy I will ask again. There must be a difference between having allergies/cold and having a sinus infection... but I'm not a vet

I gave Fred Benedryl once, and he ran around like he was on fire, screaming, rolling around on the floor. It was terrifying. Maybe he just hae a bad reaction, but I will never give it again. Mine like Vick's-Vap-O-Rub for stuffy noses. They sniff it and act like it is catnip, and if they lick it off, it won't hurt them.

People, people, people, do NOT give your animals human medication except under and directly with vet's advice and even then don't just take his/her word as gospel. Question, question, question!

Vicks is NOT a good thing to give to cats either.

Some folks have been lucky in that they've done these things and nothing happened. But if you follow that advice and something does happen to your kittie or it has a severe reaction to whatever you've given it, how are you going to feel? Nobody here is a vet so we are NOT qualified to give out medical advice. If you follow medical advice given out here you are fully responsible for the consequences.

You must check before any medicine is given so just check with your vet and if he says it is fine then it should be fine. if the promblem gets worse and the third eyelids come over more then the medicine oviously isnt working so then something has to be done

I had a cat who was attracted to the odor of Vick's.

IT SAYS RIGHT ON THE LABEL, NOT FOR INTERNAL USE. I had to keep it away from him. Sorry for screaming, and it IS fine print. But just because something is an old, tried-and-true, over-the counter med, does not mean it is harmless.

My husband had an aunt who gave cats aspirin when they (yes plural -- the ignoramus) got hit by cars. She said they slept (ie coma) for a couple days, then got better. Aspirin is terribly toxic to cats.

I ditto this ...

FYI More HUMAN deaths are from OTC drugs than RX drugs every year

Buddy is really sensitive to Vicks, he squints from a foot a way - I use it all winter long, I'm one of *those* people Yesterday I opened the jar and set it up in his room. The air purifier seemed to lightly scent the air with the smell. I think between that, the air purifier, and possibly the sponge bath he is feeling a bit better.

Gina

I agree... just make sure it's plain benedryl and not benedryl with tylenol or ibuprofen. Just plain benedryl.

I don't let them lick Vick's, I let them sniff the jar, holding it with my fingers over the opening so they can't get in to it. On the rare occasions that they have acidentally licked it, it has not made them sick. I would never let them actually ingest it on purpose. I guess I shold have made my self clear. They just like the smell, and my vet said it was ok to let them sniff it if it helped.

i had to take madei to the vet yesterday because i noticed 2 spots on her face where hair is missing, one of which was irritated and had bled a little. I instantly thought it was ring worm so i took her in. i actually noticed the missing hair on her cheek behind her whiskers a week prior, but i really didnt think much of it...and when i think about it i realize she has had hair missing right behind her whiskers for atleast 2 months now, when i noticed it a while back i just thought she had hight cheek bones, haha, because thats what it looked like, until recently i realized it was only on one side. anyhow, yesterday was when i saw the second spot right on her chin and brought her in thinking it was ring worm. anyhow, the vet recommended antibiotics, antihistamines, and a cleansing soapy wipe they provided......now, im no vet, but ALLERGIES to cause hairloss....im not sure if i buy that...and ANTIBIOTICS for allergies...not sure about that either. but i chose to only purchase the wipes and antibiotics, i skipped on the antihistamine...i figured i could give her benadryl. what i was wondering was if childrens liquid benadryl is what people usually give cats...any thoughts on this? or better yet...any thoughts on the vets diagnosis.....allergies...the vet said maybe to a plastic bowl...which i alternate with a ceramic bowl, but have been doing so for years and never had a problem. i noticed the sore on her chin has a little scab and is hard now....the missing hair section behind her whiskers has no sore. any thoughts would be appreciated!!

My vet advised me to give my dog about 15 mg 3 times a day for some mild allergies.

I give him about half that dosage.. only once or twice a day. I just think the full dosage is too much.. I dont want him sleepy and doped up on benedryll all day.

Thanks for the tip.

Please be careful! You said 1cc per pound. Sometimes it ends up being a lot! If a cat weighs 10lbs, your not going to give 10cc.it's only a teaspoon for a 6 yr old child.

I've used Benadryl for both my dogs and cats at various times under the direction of my veterinarian.  I concur that dosage is the key here.  Veterinary guidance is needed in this case IMO.  Apparently the vet is the one that recommended her dosage so I would go ahead with what was suggested.  I've had to give Zithromax to one of my cats once.  A totally different topic but it is a very strong human antibiotic and most certainly needs dosage information from the vet.  IMO any human medicine given to an animal needs to be cleared with a vet.  Just my too.  Your info on male/female dosages was interesting and I will certainly keep that in mind the next time I have to use any human medicine for my animals.  Thanks.

Help!

i have a cat rescue with many cats.

Last Saturday night one of my 1 yr olds started mouth breathing and drooling. i freaked!

We took him to the ER and were told its a virus, just like a human cold.

All the kitties have runny noses and eyes and they cant breathe.

Can i give them Childrens liquid Benedryl, and if so, how much?

i hate to see them all so miserable.

 

thanks

dale and the Cathugger Crew