Can You Use Benadryl Cream on Dogs? (Explained)

Due to bacterial inflammation, fungus or yeast, dogs face skin irritation frequently. The itching and skin irritation make their life miserable.

And as they never stop licking, the affected area doesn’t heal soon. To reduce their distressing pain, consulting with a vet and taking effective treatments is a must.

Using Benadryl cream on dogs

Benadryl cream can be applied to the affected area when a dog’s skin becomes irritated as a result of an allergy, a pharmaceutical reaction, or a negative reaction to food or drink. The chemical component Diphenhydramine starts to dissolve quickly, heals the area and gives a quick relief.

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As it has antihistamine properties, Benadryl itching cream is safe to use on the itchy areas of a dog’s body surface.

When a dog experiences itchiness or redness due to an overproduction of histamine brought on by an allergic reaction, a food or drug side effect, or both, Benadryl works to soothe the itch and thus it promotes healing.

A specific dose of the Benadryl itching cream or solution is determined by the dog’s weight and the muscle strength.

It is safe to use after figuring out the recommended dose by measuring the dog’s weight by the amount of Benadryl cream.

For instance, if the dog weighs between 50 and 75 pounds, the dosage of topical Benadryl should be between 50 and 75 milligrams, according to its weight. However, consulting with a vet before applying will be a wise decision.

Benadryl is reportedly safe for dogs to take, but it is primarily effective for humans. Using this Benadryl cream will stop the itching and subsequent inflammation in dogs that have rashes or swelling due to an allergic reaction.

Fast relief from any allergic reaction:

Diphenhydramine, the primary component of this Benadryl cream, is used to treat allergic reactions.

Although the FDA has not yet approved it, this over-the-counter medication is known to be safe for use in both humans and dogs.

If anyone has a dog and if the dog is experiencing allergic reactions in any way, they can use this Benadryl cream to provide immediate relief.

Within one to two hours of application, this cream will begin to operate, and it has a rapid onset of action against histamine released from the dog’s body in response to any kind of reaction, whether it be anxiety-related, hormonal, or brought on by an allergic reaction.

Rapid antihistamine action:

In order to prevent toxicity from forming, you must avoid putting any of the cream in your dogs’ eyes or mouths and watch your dogs carefully to see if they react in any way.

Is Benadryl itch-stopping cream safe for dog’s ears?

It’s actually one of the common problems for dogs having itching in their ear due to bacterial infections, yeast or fungi and can be seen with frequent head shaking or ear scratching.

They can have redness, bumps, swelling or bleeding in the ear area due to the allergies and can even face from hearing loss. They need a real cure that will efficiently work to heal the area by reducing the allergies from blood.

To stop itching, Benadryl cream can be the safest option as dogs can tolerate it well. Actually the brand name Benadryl is actually the drug diphenhydramine that plays a vital role to reduce allergic reactions from the body.

If applied to the affected area, within a few hours, diphenhydramine starts to dissolve throughout the body and lessens the amount of histamine from the body. Within 24 hours, the itching or allergies start to heal and dogs find relief.

How often can I apply my dog with benadryl cream for itching?

It actually depends on the age and medical condition of the dog. The amount varies from puppies to adult dogs because of their body muscles and strength. Benadryl cream works to decrease the level of histamine and thus efficiently works to reduce allergic reaction from the dog’s body.

Overdose of benadryl cream can be harmful as dogs can face breathing problems, muscle tremors, vomiting, constipation, burning sensation and bumps in the affected area and even some abnormal mental states.

Initially, it’s wise to take advice and determine the dose from the vet before applying. However, depending on the body weight of the dog, it is estimated 1 mg is sufficient for 1 pound dog. And for puppies, 4 ml will work well.

The amount can be divided into 2-3 times of the day if the dog is adult and strong. But there should be an interval of minimum 8 hours. Before applying, it’s better to patch test in a small area as sometimes, dogs can have allergic reactions or rashes in their body.

How to use benadryl cream on dogs?

Normally, the directions are printed on the container of Benadryl cream. Read the directions thoroughly before using or applying this cream to a dog’s body to prevent unwanted reactions.

Next, conduct a patch test on a dog’s body using a small amount of the cream before proceeding with the application procedure.

Cleaning the area:

Before applying the Benadryl cream, you must first clean the region.

It is initially required to clean the dog’s allergic areas with an antiseptic solution or chlorhexidine solution to get rid of any bacterial, viral, or fungal inflammation because any infectious component can hinder or aggravate the healing process.

The instructions on the cream packet must then be read by anyone who is unsure of the next step because they clearly state where to apply the cream and how much to use.

Apply the cream:

After cleaning it with any antiseptic solution, the following measures must be taken. Apply the lotion now to the dog’s affected areas using cotton or a clean hand after conducting a patch test first.

Keep in mind that you shouldn’t touch the cream component with your bare hands for safety purposes. It must be applied to the dog’s skin in accordance with the FDA-approved amount because it is correlated to the dog’s weight.

A typical fifty-pound dog can receive a maximum of fifty milligrams of Benadryl cream, and a seventy-pound dog can have a maximum of seventy-five milligrams of this cream. Not more than twice or three times per day.

Cautiousness:

The final stage entails exercising caution when applying cream; it shouldn’t come into direct contact with the eyes or any other surfaces that have not been adversely affected by allergies.

One must wait fifteen minutes after administering the cream to observe if the Benadryl cream has any negative effects on the dog’s skin. If they consume this in any way, they must immediately remove it from their mouth.

These are the procedures that must be followed if you want to prevent your dog’s allergic reactions.

What itching ointment can I use on my dog?

Besides benadryl, there are some other ointments as well to use itching on the dog such as:

Hydrocortisone cream:

It’s a great ointment that can be used to treat inflammation, mild allergies or rashes or itching. The steroid medicine starts to work within 30 minutes and reduces itchiness.

However, it can’t be a great option for long term itching or inflammation. Also, to apply this ointment, consulting with a vet is necessary as the timing and dose can vary dog to dog depending on the age and muscle growth of the dog.

Cortisone cream:

It works well to prevent itching and redness. The ointment soaks up within 30 minutes and starts to soothe the affected area.

After applying the cream, it’s better to distract the dog into something so that it doesn’t lick it. Within 1 to 2 hours, the itchiness will be lessened to a great extent.

Calendula cream:

As an inflammatory cream, Calendula can be a great solution to stop itchiness and allergies from the body. To apply this ointment, don’t rub it; rather gently apply in the affected area.

This cream can also be used for minor burns or wounds. However, consulting with a vet is suggested before applying as overdose of this cream can be harmful for a dog’s skin.

Final Thoughts

Benadryl works effectively to soothe the itchiness, redness, swelling from the affected area in a dog’s body and promote healing. The antihistamine properties and the drug Diphenhydramine both are safe for their body. However, to determine the dose, it’s better to consult a vet.