My cat is sneezing. Is Benadryl safe for cats, or should I see a vet?

Hello! Thank you for contact pet coach! Benadryl is safe for use in cats, however it is unlikely to help with sneezing. The dose of Benadryl for a 10# cat would be 10 mg if you wanted to try it. Otherwise I would suggest humidification (placing the pet in the bathroom and running a hot shower works like a “steam room” for them. This may help with congestion. You can also try nasal saline drops such as “Little Noses”. If she does not stop sneezing within a week or 2, or if other signs develop, you may want to consider taking her to a veterinarian to be evaluated. I hope this information helps, and Chloe gets the relief she needs!

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can be used for cats. Other over the counter antihistamines for use in cats include Chlor-Trimeton® (chlorpheneramine), Claritin® (loratadine) and Zyrtec® (cetirizine). You can get doses for any of the above from your veterinarian. Legally, we are prohibited from supplying doses for medications, even OTC meds, in the absence of a physical exam and a VPCR (Veterinarian-Patient-Client Relationship).

Some over the counter antihistamines may provide relief. These include Benadryl (diphenhydramine) or Chlorpheneramine. Antihistamines alone are usually not enough to provide real relief though. Ideally, you should contact your veterinarian to discuss the best treatment and dosing for OTC drugs. There are also prescription medications that can be dispensed after an exam. Fish oil supplements should be considered as a part of any treatment. They can promote healthy skin and coat and have some natural anti-inflammatory properties. Specific products are EicosaCaps, DermCaps or Welactin. Rule out other causes, if it hasn't been done already, such as fleas, skin infection or food sensitivities.

It could be that Yoda got into something outside that caused him to sneeze, causing a reaction. Unfortunately, I can't say it's safe for him to have a Benadryl (it's also illegal for me to recommend it) and given that he has stopped sneezing, I wouldn't give him one. Keep an eye on him for now, and if the sneezing does continue each time he goes outside, then I would take him the vet. I will give you a link to find low cost vet clinics in your area. I hope this helps! http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/resources/tips/trouble_affording_pet.html?credit=web_id91754962

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) can be used to alleviate allergy symptoms, but you will need to contact your veterinarian for confirmation and a safe dose. Legally, we are prohibited from telling you to medicate Kalisi in the absence of a physical exam and a VPCR (veterinarian-patient-client relationship). Your vet can confirm allergies or diagnosis a different underlying cause for the symptoms.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Ricky. Oh no, poor boy. Unfortunately it's illegal from me to recommend giving him Benadryl without seeing him in person. I am quite concerned that he's breathing funny and isn't really eating. Any breathing problem should be considered an emergency, so yes I would take him into an ER vet now. I hope this helps!

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Molly. Poor girl, I'm sorry she's so miserable. I wish we could legally say it's safe to give her Benadryl, but we can't because we are unable to see her in person. It's also against the user terms of the site. Give her vet a call now, and they can let you know if it's safe and can give you a dose for her. Best of luck.