Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Dog's face swollen from allergies. Can I give Benadryl and how much?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | unspayed | 2 years old | 48 lbs

My dog is suffering an alergic reaction to something, her face is swollen. Can I give her benedryll & what dose?

5 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 23rd, 2018

Check for any injuries or sting marks. If there are puncture wounds that ooze blood this may be a snake bite and you need to take Rikke to a vet right away.
If it is an allergic reaction and not a swollen face due to snake bite, or a tooth root abscess or injury in the mouth or obstructed salivary duct or swollen salivary gland, then you can try Benadryl. Unfortunately we are not in a position legally to give out dosages. In order to do legally so we would have to have a patient-veterinarian-owner relationship with you.
However you can look up a description of Benadryl as a medication here:
https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/
If you suspect anything else beside allergy, if your dog is lethargic, has breathing problems or starts to vomit or gets diarrhea, you will need to take Rikke to a pet emergency room for an exam and treatment.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
It’s always best to consult with your vet before giving any medication especially if there is a history of any health problems or if Rikke is on any other medications. This article has more information about Benadryl dosing: https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/benadryl/

If there is significant facial swelling or hives then often injectable medication and/or a corticosteroid is required. If you do decide to give Benadryl and the swelling does not resolve in 30 minutes you should see an emergency vet.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Susan England-Foster
Veterinarian
Published on June 12th, 2017
Poor Nala! It is possible nala is having an allergic reaction causing her to have facial swelling and hives. Since you have already administered Benadryl I would monitor her for trouble breathing, increased facial swelling/hives, itchiness, vomiting and diarrhea. If at any time these occur I would take her to a veterinarian. Also, if the hives do not resolve with Benadryl she should seek additional care. Hope nala starts feeling better soon.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on May 3rd, 2020
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. It does look like a bad allergic reaction. If Benadryl has not helped at all, please take your dog to your vets to get a stronger anti-histamine mediation by injection or steroids injection.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on January 14th, 2017
It sounds like you have done everything you can for her at home, and now she needs to see a vet. She will need stronger medications to stop the reaction, which can only be prescribed by a vet. I would take her into an ER vet or find a vet on call to see her ASAP.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

My dog's mouth is swollen. Can I give him Benadryl for the swelling?

Hi , it could be that Peter has been stung by an insect by looking at the swelling. The oedema (swelling) is most likely due to vasodilation and in this case most likely to a reaction to an insect bite. You can try to give him Benadryl to see if the swelling comes down, the dosage is 1 mg/pound. Benadryl can cause drowsiness and lethargy. If the swelling should progress and extend I would recommend that he is checked over urgently as it could impair his breathing. Hope this helps !

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

My 8-week-old puppy has a swollen, red, itchy face. Is it allergies?

The pictures are kind of blurry but I can tell there is some redness. The swelling is difficult to appreciate. It does seem like an allergic reaction to something, but what.....I cannot say. Since she is acting otherwise normally you can try to give her some over the counter antihistamine medication - you can use diphenhydramine (Benadryl). I would give her 1/2 of a 25mg caplet by mouth every 12 hours. If this has not resolved by Monday then she should see your vet. https://www.benadryl.ca/products/benadryl-caplets

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's face is swollen. Is it an emergency? Should I call a vet?

Swelling of the face and mouth/facial swelling are often initial symptoms of an anaphylactic/allergic reaction. These reactions can occur in dogs after vaccines, after exposure to a food or substance they are allergic to, or after a bite from an insect. As it is impossible to predict whether an anaphylactic reaction will remain localized or progress to trouble breathing, which can be life threatening, it is safest to contact a 24 hour vet for Bella at this time to have her seen. The ER may recommend a treatment plan including anti-histamines, corticosteroids +/- epinephrine and montitoring until the selling has gone down. They will also likely recommend an at home dose for Benadryl after establishing a valid patient/client relationship if this should occur again as it is uncertain at this point what Bella is allergic to. Wishing Bella a quick recovery!

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's face is swollen. Is it an emergency? What should I do?

A sudden swollen face is usuaally caused by some allergy, either an insect bite or an environmental allergy, or could also be a rattle snake bite. Check for oozing little wounds, there would be a little blood oozing but not coagulating. If you find those on the head, your dog likely was bitten by a snake and needs to be seen by a vet right away. If your dog has breathing problems, vomits or is lethargic, he should also be seen by a veterinarian right away. If he is happy, eats and drinks, you can observe the swelling and it should go down within 24 hours. Of course you can also take him to the vet if he is not in distress. The vet will give him an exam and likely an antihistamine and/or steroid injection.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog is vomiting with a swollen face. How often can I give Benadryl?

Hi there and thank you for using Pet Coach! It does sound as though Cammy may be dealing with some type of hypersensitivity / allergic reaction. If the swelling is coming down with the Benadryl that you have given, then I would continue giving the Benadryl. You can safely give Benadryl every 8 hours if needed. If the swelling is not improving or is worsening, I would highly recommend taking Cammy to her veterinarian for further treatment / testing. If there is no improvement or it is worsening, the sooner she is seen the better as these allergic reactions can sometimes progress to more severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis, etc. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am also available via consultation if needed.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's lip and nose are swollen and worsening. Can I give Benadryl?

Unfortunately, it is illegal for the experts at Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to prescribe any drugs, including OTC drugs, without seeing the animal in person first. That's because we can't say for sure it's safe for Moana to take a particular drug. You are correct that the swelling could be due to you two bumping heads, and Benadryl will not help that (it would be used for an allergic reaction). I would continue to ice the swelling for five minutes at a time a couple of times tonight, but if the swelling continues to get worse or she starts to have difficulty breathing, then I would take her into a vet immediately.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog's face is swollen and itching. What can I do at home?

It looks as if Simba is having an allergic reaction to something. If you are unable to get Simba to a vet for treatment you can try to give him some benedryl, at a dose of 1mg/pound. This may help decrease the swelling and help stop the reaction. If Simba begins to have trouble breathing, starts vomiting or having diarrhea, this means that the allergic reaction is more severe and he will need to be seen by a vet immediately. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share