Does anyone give their dogs benedryl to help calm them when it storms or fireworks are shot outdoors?

I don't personally give my dog benedryl because he doesn't need it. However I work at a boarding kennel for dogs and often give dogs benedryl (only if the owners instructs me to and provides the benedryl) to calm them during stressful situations. It is very common actually. Just be sure to give them small doses.

You can get the proper dosage for Benadryl or a prescription for Valium for a dog that is upset by storms or fireworks from your vet. There are also herbal remedies that some people use for that (or for dogs with seperation anxiety) as well as behavior modification. Be very careful with the dosage if you go that route and do consult your vet first. You may also want to check into some good books on dog behavior and training. Good luck.

Tylenol is deadly to dogs--aspirin is not. I'm absolutely sure the person below does NOT get Tylenol for their dog from any vet. Please don't ever give Tylenol or Motrin to your dogs.

heard of it but never done it myself since my dogs join the family in watch fireworks, they're not scared and is kept away from the fireworks - at a good distance. It is not unsual for people to use benedryl - many of the drugs we use on animals are just smaller doses of the drugs we use. Afterall, a lot of places uses animals for testing - not that i agree but still does happen

There are other things you can do for your dog. Melatonin, an over the counter supplement has been shown to help dogs with sound phobias. You can do more research online about it. But you could also ask your vet for a prescription of an anti-anxiety med like Xanax. Sound phobias can cause severe stress in dogs and helping them feel more at ease is important. You can also check out this site to learn about counter conditioning and desensitizing your dog to loud bangs.

http://www.fearfuldogs.com/fearfuldogbook.html

Not having a dog, no, but I've heard of doing this. Cat people will use this technique to help calm a cat that's in desperate need of grooming or some sort of treatment that's difficult to do otherwise. It doesn't work with all, and you'll want to check with your vet about whether or not he recommends this practice and how much to give. There are some herbal remedies available in the pet stores that are supposed to do the same thing- might ask the vet which he recommends.

It isn't as bad as people think...vets recommend it all the time...using it on a child is one thing, on your dog is another. I personally don't use it because we've learned how to calm our dog without benadryl, but before we figured that out, we asked the vet for advice and that was one of the things she suggested...just watch the dosing amount.

uhm i wouldn't advise doing that...

you should Never give any animal the same medication as people.. if your dog needs to be medicated then you should take him to a vet. and why would you give them benedryl to calm them?

you could kill him by doing that. so dont do it!!

if you are concerned on what you should do, call a vet! and never ever give your dog meds like that. kbye.

The only medication I give my dog that is made for humans is Pepto or Maalox. Both have been beneficial throughout the diet changes, tummy bugs (viral) and eating of dirty diapers. I consulted with the vet before giving it to him and tried herbal methods first.

My friends do this when their dog freaks out. Just make sure that you don't give them too much. If you dog is small 20 pounds or less give them half a pill, if the dog is big then no more than 1 pill. Make sure they have plenty of water to drink.

Iggy, next time you go to your vet, ask them if they have any tylenol. I get it from my vet all the time for my yellow lab that has allergies. 1 mg. per lb. of body weight is the normal dosage. I give my Lab 2-25 mg. caplets, 3 times a day during allergy season. It doesn't slow her down at all.