My dog licks paws after grass. Can I give children's Benadryl?

While Benadryl can be given to dogs in specific circumstances, by law it is illegal for the experts at PetCoach to recommend using any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. I would give your vet a call to see if it's safe to give Dustin Benadryl, and the vet can give you the correct dose for it. I would also wash him in warm water and Dawn dish soap to get rid of the ants, and you can make a home soothing salve to help with the bites from the ants if he has them using baking soda and water. To make this salve, mix one tablespoon of baking soda and add enough water to form a spreadable paste. You will have to keep him from licking it off, so put an Ecollar on him, which you can make at home: http://dogsaholic.com/care/homemade-dog-cone.html

Benadryl can be used to help with environmental allergens. However if the itching continues even with home care, or you see signs of redness/irritation that do no resolve, having a vet take a look is a good idea to rule out any skin infections or check for allergies that may need different medications/treatment.

Unfortunately, by law it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to give the dose information for any drug, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because doing so requires a veterinary client patient relationship which cannot be achieved via an internet forum. In addition, the experts cannot say for certain if a specific drug is safe for your dog. You need to check with Chewy's vet to see if it's safe to give him, and the vet can give you the dose.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could certainly be allergies. In reality, Benadryl probably would not help much in this case. Medications to decrease the itch that could help him include prednisone or a medication called Apoquel. The possible secondary infection would have to be treated as well. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

You could bathe her with DOUXO® Calm shampoo and see if that helps. Also, limit the time she is outside and keep your windows closed. You could also use an omega 3 supplement, Free Form Snip Tips or Wellactin. Otherwise, you would need to talk to your vet about using an anti-histamine, corticosteroid, or a newer allergy medications (Apoquel or Cytopoint).

Hi. Most pets link their paws due to allergies. I recommend talking to your veterinarian about allergies and medications for it. In the meantime, you can give a children's benedryl, 12.5 MG twice daily. Good luck.

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Licking of the paws is a common sign of allergies. Topical medications are not recommended because the animals will lick it off and it isn't effective. You can soak the paws in Epsom salts or wipe them down after coming in from outside in case they lick them because of contact with the grass or being wet. Or use a medicated shampoo(see link). If it is an allergy I would recommend a diet change-change the meat protein. I do not recommend grain-free diets in goldens right now. Chicken is the most common allergen. I would consider an antihistamine (see link). If that doesn't help they need to see your Vet to have the feet examined to check for infection. I like cytopoint for foot licking over apoquel. Good luck! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=27307 https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/zyrtec/