Benadryl for Dogs – Why I DON’T Recommend Using it

why I don't recommend benadryl for dogs, benadryl is not good for dogs
★ 4 min read
 
In this Article: 
  1. Why I don't recommend Benadryl for dogs and cats
  2. Listed ingredients in Benadryl
  3. Health deteriorating ingredients in Benadryl and long-term adverse effects
  4. Short Term adverse side effects
  5. Now that you know
  6. Natural alternatives to Benadryl

1. Why I Don't Recommend Benadryl For Dogs and Cats

Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is not good for dogs. As well, other conventional antihistamines are not good for dogs.
 
Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tab, or Benadryl LiquiGels are synthetic-chemical medications. Many veterinarians recommend these products for dogs with allergy symptoms, swelling from insect stings, spider bites, etc.

If you use Benadryl Ultra Tabs, or LiquiGels in an emergency situation, once or twice over the span of your dog’s life, there is little to no cause for concern.  

However, giving Benadryl to a dog on a regular to semi-regular basis, is not good for a dog's long-term health.

To understand the adverse health impacts caused by repeated use, we need to take a look at Benedryl ingredients. 
 

2. Listed Ingredients in Benadryl

To understand the negative health impacts of benadryl, we need to look at ingredients in benadryl.

Benadryl Allergy Ultra Tab Ingredients

Medicinal (active) ingredients:
  • Diphenhydramine
Non-medicinal (inactive) ingredients :
  • Candelilla wax, colloidal silicone dioxide, crospovidone, hypromellose, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, providone, pregelatinized starch, starch, stearic acid, titanium dioxide, and talc.

Benadryl LiquiGels dye-free, Ingredients

Medicinal (active) ingredients:
  • Diphenhydramine
Non-medicinal (inactive) ingredients:
  • Gelatin, glycerin, polyethylene glycol, purified water, and sorbitol Capsules are imprinted with edible dye-free ink

3. Health Deteriorating Ingredients in Benadryl and Long-Term Adverse Effects

Now we can delve into the health deteriorating affects caused by the 'inactive' ingredients (listed ingredients and 'incidental' {hidden} ingredients).
 
Listed Ingredient - Titanium dioxide
Titanium dioxide is a neurotoxin, that causes: confusion, impaired thinking, memory loss and ultimately dementia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies titanium dioxide as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.

Listed Ingredient - Talc
Talc is classified as a “possibly carcinogenic to humans”.  Truth is talc, like titanium dioxide is an health damaging additive.

Listed Ingredient - Microcrystalline Cellulose
Microcrystalline cellulose is used as a filler (bulking agent). It is made from various ‘natural’ sources, such as:
  1. GMO corn.
  2. Wheat (and other grains).
  3. Wood.  
Corn, wheat and other grains are common food allergens for dogs. Does it make sense to give a dog suffering from allergies, more allergens? 
 
Hidden Ingredient: Glyphosate Residue
GMO corn, non-organic wheat and other non-organic grains are treated with the carcinogenic herbicide glyphosate (Round-Up).  In 2015 IARC concluded that glyphosate presents "sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity".  IARC designated glyphosate a probable human carcinogen.
 
Listed Ingredient - Stearic Acid 
Stearic acid suppress and destroys the body’s T-cells. T-cells play a key role in keeping white blood cells healthy.  Stearic acid also damages the liver. Learn more about stearic acid in this article.

Listed Ingredient - Pregelatinized Starch
Pregelatinized starch is (typically) derived from GMO corn.  
Hidden ingredient: GMO corn and glyphosate residue

Listed Ingredient - Starch
Starch is (typically) derived from GMO corn. 
Hidden Ingredient: glyphosate residue

Listed Ingredient - Polyethylene Glycol (PEG)
PEG is a petroleum based compound that can be contaminated with ethylene oxide. 
Hidden ingredient: ethylene oxide  
Ethylene oxide is a known carcinogen, and may also cause genotoxicity. As the ethylene oxide is an ‘unintentional ingredient’ the FDA, Health Canada, the FSA place no restrictions on its presence in Benadryl.

Listed Ingredient – Gelatin
Gelatin used in Benadryl is sourced from rendered factory-farm (Confined Animal Feeding Operations – CAFO) raised animals. CAFO animals are fed a diet of GMO corn, GMO soy, and other toxic laden substances such as ractopine. 
Hidden ingredient: glyphosate reside, and other synthetic-chemical residues.

Listed Ingredient – Glycerin
The glycerin used in Benadryl is sourced from animals (CAFO raised) and/or from GMO corn, GMO soy or palm oil. 
Hidden Ingredient: glyphosate residue.
 

4.  Short Term Adverse Side Effects

Additional adverse side effects of benadryl include:
a partial list
 
Gastrointestinal
Inappetence
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting

Neurological
Confusion
Depression
Drowsiness
Dizziness
Headache
Irritability
Nervousness
Over excitement
 
Urinary Tract 
Difficulty urinating
Painful urination
 
Other
Congestion in chest (increase of)
Dry mouth, nose and/or throat
Eye sight issues
Heart beat increase
Muscle weakness
Restless leg syndrome
Seizures
Weight gain

5. Now That You Know

While Benadryl may temporarily alleviate allergy symptoms, use of Benadryl can also contribute to:
  1. Toxic load
  2. Inflammation in the body
  3. Chronic disease
The FDA, Health Canada and the FSA do not consider the substances I list above, a health hazard when ingested in ‘small amounts’. 
 
However, Health Canada, the FDA and FSA do not assess:
  1. Long-term effect of ingesting multiple ‘small amounts’ present in a single product.
  2. Overall and accumulated impact of ingesting multiple food products, drugs, supplements and topical products containing these substances. 
The FDA, Health Canada and the FSA do not factor-in impact of these substances on an individual's personal circumstances.
 
Now you know why I do not recommend giving Benadryl (or its generic version - Diphenhydramine) to dogs.

So, what can you use instead of Benedryl? I will provide you with a few of the many natural alternatives.

 
6. Natural Alternatives to Benadryl

6.1 Quercetin
 
Quercetin is called ‘nature’s Benedryl'. Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid found in many plants.  Quercetin can be obtained by consuming foods that naturally contain quercetin. However, when allergy symptoms are present a concentrated form of quercetin is required. 
 
For more information about quercetin:
  1. Health benefits.
  2. Dosage by body weight.
  3. Other important information.
Go to this article.

6.2 Apis Mellifica 30 C – Homeopathic Remedy
 
The homeopathic remedy, Apis Mellifica is helpful for treating hot spots, insect bites and stings, swollen, puffy, watery-filled inflammation, eyes swollen partially or mostly shut from environmental allergies, etc. 
 
Other symptoms that indicate Apis Mellifica is a good match for your dog:
  • The individual may also be sensitive to touch. 
  • Pain is better with cold and worse with heat.
 
6.3 Belladonna 30C – Homeopathic Remedy
 
The homeopathic remedy Belladonna can be helpful for treating: asthma, hay fever symptoms, hot spots that appear suddenly, the skin is bright red and shiny but dry.

 
The three remedies listed above are a sampling of the many alternative medicines that can replace Benadryl. 
 
When choosing a natural remedy make sure you check health contradictions, and drug interactions to ensure that the remedy is suitable for your dog’s personal circumstances. 
 
Holistic Diet, Nutrition, Wellness Services Tailored to Your Individual Dog and Cat
 
For information about my holistic diet, nutrition, wellness services visit my:
 
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For information about my holistic behavioral services visit my:
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Article by Karen Rosenfeld

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