One of the health-related conditions of French bulldogs that most pet owners are wary about is their being susceptible to allergies. Well, good thing that some human medications are also applicable to dog’s consumption and in the treatment of their condition. It is also good to know that dog’s allergies can be treated by over-the-counter medications such as Benadryl. But, the question lies behind the safety of Benadryl for French Bulldog.
In this blog post, we will discuss what is Benadryl and how safe it is for canines. We also have here alternative treatment for French bulldog allergies in case you are in doubt about giving Benadryl to your pooch. So, let’s check how Benadryl works wonders for your Frenchies!
Benadryl for French Bulldog: What is It?
Benadryl or Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine drug to treat symptoms of allergy in humans. If this is the case, is giving Benadryl for French bulldog safe and effective for them?
Actually, what’s good with this antihistamine medication is that it entails a wide range of uses when the health of the dog is concerned. With this, is it okay to give Benadryl for French bulldog? Well, the good news is veterinarians approved the use of Benadryl for French bulldog and other dog breeds. It is widely available over the counter so pet owners can safely administer it to their Frenchies at home.
Generally, like in humans, Benadryl for French bulldog acts in relieving allergic responses from insect bites and other causes of allergies. Aside from that, antihistamine medicines also alleviate motion sickness and inflammatory responses as well.
Benadryl and French Bulldog Allergies
As the mechanism of action is concerned, Benadryl usually targets the smooth muscle and the blood vessels to block the H1 receptors. At an oral administration, mild to moderate effect is takes place if Benadryl for French bulldog aims to treat mild allergic reactions. Environmental allergies and allergy symptoms due to insect stings are some indications of Benadryl for dogs including the Frenchies.
In high-stress circumstances like hearing the sounds of thunderstorms and fireworks, all dogs including the Frenchies get frightened. Because of this, Benadryl for French bulldog and other canines is given.
Moreover, veterinarians recommend Benadryl as an adjunct treatment for potential vaccine reactions. For example, Benadryl is a co-treatment for heartworm in dogs in order to prevent any related allergic reactions.
However, for serious cases of acute allergic symptoms like facial swelling or difficulty of breathing, do not hesitate to take the Frenchies to the vet right away. Keep in mind that there are also other allergic conditions that also need co-treatment of allergy meds with the underlying infections.
Other Indications of Benadryl
Aside from the above usage of Benadryl, it is also very helpful to dogs that have mast cell tumors. Yet, the recommended dose of Benadryl for French bulldog is not sufficient enough to treat this kind of canine’s cell tumor, at least, this medication can lower down the harmful effects of too much histamine inside the dog’s body. Moreover, Benadryl also has the ability to control the blood pressure of canines and their appetite.
Recommended Dose of Benadryl for French Bulldog
Benadryl, if taken orally by the Frenchies, has a standard dose of 1 mg per pound of dog’s body weight. It is highly recommended to be taken 2 to 3 times a day by the dog. Generally, the usual diphenhydramine tablet comes in 25 mg per tablet. This is actually used for dogs such as the French bulldogs weighing 25 pounds.
Yet, there are some special cases that necessitate this single dosage of Benadryl to be increased twice like in snake bites. This means that you will have to give Benadryl 2 mg per pound.
Benadryl Dosage Chart for French Bulldog
In order to give the appropriate dosage of Benadryl to the Frenchies, you’ll initially need to determine the weight of the bulldog. Once you have it, you can use the chart below as your guide for Benadryl dosage.
| French bulldog’s Body Weight (in lbs) | Benadryl Recommended Dose (in mg) |
| 5 | 5 |
| 10 | 10 |
| 15 | 15 |
| 20 | 20 |
| 30 | 30 |
| 40 | 40 |
| 50 | 50 |
| 75 | 75 |
| 100 | 100 |
| 125 | 125 |
| 150 | 150 |
| 175 | 175 |
But, to be on the safe side, always ask the vet for the proper dose for your Frenchies. Additionally, there are some formulations of Benadryl that is in combination with other medications like Tylenol. Because of this, it is actually better to ensure that the Benadryl tablet that you will give to your French bulldog only contains diphenhydramine alone.
However, Benadryl is a human drug that is tolerated by canines with some potential side effects. So far, this antihistamine medication is still the safest over-the-counter medicines that are recommended by the veterinarian for their canine patients.
Yet, even if it an OTC med and is proven safe for the French bulldogs, it is still best to consult with the vet regarding the safe administration of Benadryl. Keep in mind that this medicine has safety risks especially if the dog has other health-related conditions. Do not give Benadryl, if the French bulldog experiences conditions like:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Glaucoma
- Low blood pressure
- Pregnant
Benadryl Overdosing
It is very much important to follow the guidelines set by the veterinarian in terms of the appropriate administration of Benadryl for French bulldog. In case your Frenchies experience overdosing, check for the following symptoms and rush him immediately to the vet:
- Agitation
- Constipation
- Dilated pupils
- Rapid heart rate
- Seizures
Take note that the following symptoms are generally dangerous to the dog’s health and can be life-threatening. There are also dogs that may elicit an allergic response to diphenhydramine. So, it is very much crucial to monitor your dog especially after their first intake of the drug.
Side Effects of Benadryl for French Bulldog
Generally, when you give Benadryl for French bulldog allergies or anxiety symptoms, it may also offer some kind of adverse effects to them. Drowsiness may usually be experienced by the dogs. This is normal as drowsiness is one of the common side effects of Benadryl. Other common side effects of Benadryl are dry mouth, hypersalivation, increased heart rate, loss of appetite, and urinary retention.
Alternatives for Benadryl in Treating French Bulldog’s Allergy
Luckily, there is another way in order to treat the allergies of the Frenchies. In case, you are having doubt about using this over-the-counter medication for your French bulldog, natural treatments are also available. Below are some of the natural remedies that can be of big help in controlling the symptoms of allergies in dogs and also addressing their motion sickness. Moreover, this approach provides similar relief that your Frenchies can get from using Benadryl.
Baking Soda
Well, treating French bulldog allergy may not need you to look far beyond your kitchen. If you need a quick solution to treat the red and itchy skin of your Frenchies, look for baking soda. Generally, baking soda is useful for this dog’s condition. All you need to do is to make it in a form of a paste or dissolve it in water to make a spray solution.
In making a paste from baking soda, just simply mix it with a small amount of water and gently rub it to the affected skin area of your French bulldog. Do this to your dog for a few hours. Afterwards, wash it off.
Meanwhile, to make a baking soda spray, combine baking soda into a more amount of water. Put the mixture into a spray bottle. Basically, do not forget to shake the solution before every application.
It is very important to cover the infected spot on your French bulldog’s body where you put the baking soda. This is highly applicable if your Frenchies is a licker. If this is the case, better to let your dog wear a sock if the allergy occurs on their foot. Or, let them wear a cone while the baking soda treatment is still working on their skin.
Cannabidiol
Another alternative of Benadryl for French bulldog allergy is cannabidiol or CBD. This is another natural treatment that is good for the adverse skin conditions of canines. You may be worried because cannabidiol having a psychoactive property. But, do not worry as CBD does not contain any tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) or any psychoactive components of marijuana.
Moreover, the medicinal utilization of CBD does not primarily extracted from marijuana. This comes primarily from agricultural hemp that has numbers of health benefits for both humans and animals. Studies reveal that CBD aids in relieving itchiness and dryness of the skin caused by allergies. Additionally, it also acts in alleviating the motion sickness being experienced by canines including the French bulldogs. So, with this, it is better to consider giving CBD for Frenchies prior to their car ride.
Another good thing is that CBD has many forms which include tablet and oils. For topical application, CBD is available in lotion and balms so you can rub it over the affected area. In general, CBD is an effective alternative to Benadryl for French bulldog and other dog breeds in alleviating the symptoms of allergy. Aside from that, the versatility of CBD is very helpful in many medical conditions of dogs and humans.
Quercetin
Quercetin is another natural Benadryl that helps in the treatment of canine’s allergy symptoms including inflammation, itchy red eyes, sneezing, and runny nose. Basically, quercetin is present in the peels of fruits and vegetables. It is a flavonoid compound that has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine properties.
The recommended dosage of quercetin for a French bulldog’s allergy is almost the same as that of a human with a weight of 150 pounds which is equivalent to 1,000 mg. In order to get the appropriate dose of quercetin for your French bulldog, get their weight initially. Once you have it, multiply it by 1,000 and divide the answer by 150. This will give you the dosage of quercetin in milligrams that can be given to the Frenchies.
Good thing, quercetin is naturally present in foods that dog can eat. You can find it in berries like blueberries and strawberries. It also occurs in spinach and red wine. So, bottoms up and cheers your French bulldog’s allergies away!
Other French Bulldog Allergy Treatment
Aside from the natural substances present in nature, you can also treat French bulldog allergies through the following:
Diet Modification
Initially, determining the root cause of French bulldog’s allergy is the first thing that you need to do. After knowing where the allergy comes from, the next step is to keep away from the allergen. Well, basically, if you found out that your French bulldog has a sensitivity reaction to the food, then it is best to switch to a new food or diet that has a different protein variety that they are able to tolerate. For example, your Frenchie continuously scratching his skin after a salmon diet, maybe you can try to give food with beef as an ingredient.
Probiotics Supplements
Sometimes, French bulldog allergies may be supported by giving allergy supplements. And good thing that there are products like this in the market that can stop the symptoms of allergy even without containing the active ingredient antihistamine. These are the probiotics supplements that primarily work by supporting the needs of your Frenchies.
Generally, probiotics boost the immune system and the digestive system of the dog in a natural way. Moreover, probiotic supplements contain well-balanced nutrients and antioxidants.
Final Thoughts
Benadryl for French bulldogs is generally safe for them in treating their allergies and other conditions like motion sickness and anxiety. It is highly essential to give the correct dose of Benadryl to your pooch if you are considering this kind of treatment. Even if it an over-the-counter medication, it is still safe to ask the veterinarian especially when it comes to proper dosing.
However, if you are having some kind of doubt, there are other allergy remedies that you may consider using for your French bulldog. You may try the natural methods using substances present in nature or can be found in your own home. Probiotics for your French bulldog allergies may also do some help. But, at the end of it all, when the health of your Frenchies is at stake, the veterinarian’s recommendation is still the best thing to follow.
