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Can I Give My Dog Benadryl for Fireworks?

Please note: We are not veterinarians and you use our advice at your own discretion. We always recommend that you consult your veterinarian whenever you have health-related conditions your furbaby is facing. With that in mind, as pet parents ourselves, we wish nothing but the best for your pet and their healthy and happy lives.

a Benadryl bottle laying on a blue background with pink pills spread around it.

Yes, you can give Benadryl to your pup for fireworks. Most fireworks-phobic dogs will require sedation. So, it is okay to give your dog the required dose of Benadryl to make him feel relaxed. It is recommended to consult your veterinarian before giving Benadryl to your dog. Keep reading to know how you can safely give Benadryl to your dog for fireworks.

Need to know how to calm your dog during fireworks? Click here to find out how.

Does Benadryl Help Dogs with Fireworks?

Yes, Benadryl makes dogs feel calm if they are afraid of thunder or explosions. Giving your dog a dosage of Benadryl is okay in most cases and will make him feel more at ease. Dogs can take the over-the-counter drug Benadryl which is also available for humans. It is the commercial name for the compound diphenhydramine. The most common form of Benadryl is a 25mg pill. You can find it at almost any drugstore or supermarket shop.

Benadryl For Dogs on the 4th Of July

Boston terrier with head leaning back looking at the sun with american flag sunglasses on and blue and red beaded necklaces

Independence Day is celebrated in the US on the 4th of July. Fireworks are a necessary part of every celebration, and everyone enjoys that. But what about your furry friend? Dogs are sensitive to unpleasant noises. They get anxious or afraid of such sounds. In that situation, Benadryl is your savior. You can give your dog a prescribed dose of Benadryl to calm your furry friend down.

However, it is necessary to consult your veterinarian before using Benadryl for your dog. This is because sleepiness is one of Benadryl’s negative effects. It can make your pooch tired and lethargic. Therefore, your dog should be able to unwind and sleep more easily when fireworks are being let off. Benadryl can also be used to soothe a traveling dog.

Benadryl Dosage for Dogs for Fireworks

Scared dog peeking out from under the bed

One milligram of Benadryl per pound of your dog’s weight, given two to three times daily, is an easy and practical amount. A 10-pound dog, for instance, may get three doses of 10 mg in the morning, midday, and nighttime. The diphenhydramine (Benadryl) pills are 25 mg, which is the right dosage for a dog that weighs 25 pounds.

You cannot rely just on the label because the dosage for dogs and humans is different. It is essential to consult your dog’s veterinarian about the recommended dose. Some veterinarians suggest that 2-3 times a day, 1mg for 1 pound of body weight. The recommended dosage is given below but you should give as little of the dosage as you can.

  • Two or three times daily, a 25-pound dog would take one 25mg Benadryl tablet.
  • Two 25mg Benadryl pills would be administered 2 times a day to a 50-pound dog.
  • Three 25mg Benadryl pills would be administered 2-3 times a day to a 75-pound dog.

Both a tablet and a liquid version of Benadryl are readily available. However, you shouldn’t administer liquid Benadryl to your dog because veterinarians don’t advise it. Since you can bury the tablet in a piece of cheese or another tempting treat, the pill form is simpler to administer to your dog.

Can I Give My Dog Melatonin for Fireworks? Click here to find out.

When Should I Give My Dog Benadryl Before Fireworks?

Hand held out to a corgi with a pill in it

Try to provide Benadryl to your dog for nervousness around 45 minutes before you anticipate hearing fireworks. It’s far harder to assist dogs to feel calm after the fireworks have already started than it is to do so before they start.

In this manner, the drug will have time to soothe your dog before the fireworks start. Your furry friend will be at ease before the fireworks and you will be able to be a part of the celebration and fireworks without any problem.

How long it takes Benadryl to affect your dog depends on various factors. Each dog responds differently, usually, Benadryl starts to make a dog feel more at ease after about 30 minutes. Remember that you might not be able to tell whether the Benadryl is genuinely calming your dog down. It might be difficult to guess at times.

Alternatives to Benadryl

Variety of vitamins  spilling from a clear brown medicine bottle onto a white surface

There are a few natural solutions you may attempt to calm a dog down in addition to Benadryl for dogs during fireworks.

Homeopathic Rescue Remedy

Your pet may become anxious for various reasons, including going to the veterinarian or groomer, loud sounds, and travel. Homeopathic RESCUE REMEDY PET can assist to calm them down. For years, doctors and pet owners have relied on this method to naturally lower sporadic animal stress and anxiety without the use of sedatives.

ADAPTIL Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser

ThunderEase Dog Calming Pheromone Diffuser Kit | Powered by ADAPTIL | Vet Recommended to Relieve Separation Anxiety, Stress Barking & Chewing, and Fear of Fireworks & Thunderstorms (30 Day Supply)

Your dog can feel calmer with ADAPTIL, a veterinarian-recommended, drug-free treatment that has been clinically tested. The ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser Kit offers “comforting messages” (dog-pleasing pheromones that resemble a mother’s nursing pheromones) that promote calmness and relaxation in dogs during stressful situations.

For instance, it is effective against loud noises (thunderstorms and fireworks), being alone at home, traveling, or other fearful circumstances. It aids in reducing troublesome behaviors by relieving your dog’s tension and promoting relaxation. One diffuser head and one refill vial are included in the ADAPTIL Calm Home Diffuser starting package.

Since each diffuser may cover up to 700 square feet, you should place your diffuser in the area or rooms where your dog spends the most time. Make sure your diffuser is not hidden behind or covered by drapes. Up to 30 days might pass between refills. Every six months, you should change your diffuser for best efficacy.

Thundershirt for Dog

Thundershirt Dog Anxiety Treatment - Gray (Medium)

That is the best pressure wrap that is available. All forms of tension, panic, and over-excitement are calmed by Thunder Shirts in a similar way to swaddling a baby. That is easy to use and modify Thunder shirt for exactly the correct pressure to quiet your dog. Thunder shirt has a success record of 80% and has already calmed millions of pets. Use for thunder, fireworks, travel, travel anxiety, veterinary appointments, issue barking, reactivity, and other things.

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