Benadryl for Dogs – Why I DON’T Recommend Using it
In this Article:
- Why I don't recommend Benadryl for dogs and cats
- Listed ingredients in Benadryl
- Health deteriorating ingredients in Benadryl and long-term adverse effects
- Short Term adverse side effects
- Now that you know
- 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:
- GMO corn.
- Wheat (and other grains).
- 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.
4. Short Term Adverse Side Effects
5. Now That You Know
Article by Karen Rosenfeld
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:
- Toxic load
- Inflammation in the body
- 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:
- Long-term effect of ingesting multiple ‘small amounts’ present in a single product.
- 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:
- Health benefits.
- Dosage by body weight.
- 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.
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Article by Karen Rosenfeld