The typical safe dosage of Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for dogs is about 1 mg per pound of body weight, given two to three times a day. This corresponds to roughly 2 to 4 mg per kilogram of body weight per dose. For example, a 10-pound dog would receive about 10 mg of Benadryl per dose, and a 50-pound dog would receive about 50 mg per dose. The medication can be administered as tablets, capsules, or liquid formulations, but you must ensure the product contains only diphenhydramine without harmful additives like alcohol or xylitol
. Here are key points to consider:
- Dosage range: 0.9 to 1.8 mg per pound (2 to 4 mg/kg), given 2-3 times daily
- Do not use time-release capsules or formulations with harmful additives
- Liquid Benadryl (12.5 mg/5 ml concentration) dosing can be calculated by dividing the dog's weight in pounds by 2.5 to get the milliliters to administer
- Always consult your veterinarian before giving Benadryl, especially for puppies, pregnant or nursing dogs, or dogs with health conditions like glaucoma or urinary retention
- Monitor your dog for side effects such as drowsiness or lethargy, which are dose-dependent
Example dosage chart for tablets:
Dog Weight| Benadryl Dose (mg) per administration
---|---
10 lbs| 10 mg
20 lbs| 20 mg
50 lbs| 50 mg
100 lbs| 100 mg
Doses are typically given every 8-12 hours but do not exceed three doses per day
. In summary, the general guideline is 1 mg of Benadryl per pound of your dog's weight, given two to three times daily, but you should confirm with your vet for your specific dog's needs and health status.
