How Over The Counter Antihistamines Can Help Your Cat's Allergies
Updated: May 14
Natural Remedies and Over The Counter Medication: Finding the Best Antihistamine Solution for Your Feline Friend
With lots of pollen circulating in the air, your cat may catch an allergy. It can lead to coughs, runny noses, and scratchy throats. To avoid allergy symptoms, many pet owners use natural antihistamine for cats. If not given immediate attention, the allergy of your pet can get worse. So, you should take quick action for the health of your cat.
We collected some great ideas for homemade cat remedies for you to give them a try..
What human antihistamines are safe for cats?
What antihistamine is best for cat allergy?
Antihistamine for cats sneezing
What human antihistamines are safe for cats?
There are many antihistamines available on the market. With this, you should know which one is safe for your cat. Before you use an antihistamine as a home remedy for cat sneezing, you should talk to a veterinarian to determine the right dosage for your cat.
The human antihistamines safe for cats include loratadine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine, and fexofenadine. Generally, a smaller dosage of these drugs can cause an upset stomach. It may also make them quiet and tired. If given at a higher dosage, your cat may feel restless and agitated. There is also a tendency that it may increase their heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Additionally, it may cause muscle tremors.
Antihistamines are also helpful in avoiding allergy symptoms. Provided at a therapeutic dose, most antihistamines can safely treat your furry friend. If you want to get information to keep your pet healthy and safe from antihistamines, you can visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control center.
What antihistamine is best for cat allergy?
If your cat has an allergy, it may suffer from hair loss, itchy skin, and ear and skin infections. There are many treatments for cat allergy, one of which is an antihistamine. Can allergy medicine over the counter be effective for cat allergy?
Yes, over-the-counter medications can help to treat your cat’s allergy. You can use liquid antihistamine for cats to treat allergies. The best antihistamine you can use is diphenhydramine, which has the brand name Benadryl. Diphenhydramine is safe for your cat if you give it the proper dosage of 1mg for each pound of body weight.
However, as we mentioned earlier, consult your vet before using antihistamines for your pet. An antihistamine with active ingredients, including pseudoephedrine, can cause hallucinations, severe hyperactivity, and seizures.
You can buy it in different milligrams or strengths based on your needs. Remember that if mixed with other medications, the medicine may be toxic for your pet. So, you should be careful in purchasing one safe for your cat.
Benadryl can be used not just for allergies. You can use it with your pet if:
The cat is bit by a snake or other venomous reptile
The cat is bit or stung by an insect like a scorpion or bee
The cat is scratching or itching from food or environmental allergies
The cat travels and feels motion sickness
If antihistamine pre-treatment is needed before vaccination
Antihistamine for cats sneezing
Many factors can keep your cat sneezing. These may include inflammatory conditions, respiratory infections, allergies, tumors, inhalation of foreign objects, and dental disease.
You can use antihistamine for cats sneezing. Like humans, an antihistamine may treat the allergy of your cat. It can help your cat with coughing and sneezing, making them more comfortable.
However, you should consider that you should consult the vet to give the proper medication dosage. With this, you can ensure the safety of your cat.
If your pet has persistent sneezing, it can signify an illness such as a bacterial infection or upper respiratory condition. If your cat keeps sneezing, your pet seems to try clearing out its nasal passage.
When your cat is sneezing with other symptoms, it is about to take action to bring them to the vet. If your cat has a cough and stops eating, it can be a serious matter.
Sneezing like one or two among cats is harmless. However, if there is persistent sneezing, take your pet to the vet to save its health. With this, you can prevent its condition from getting worse.
Is Benadryl safe for cats?
Do you wonder whether can you give a cat Benadryl? Well, the answer is yes. If your cat has mild allergies without skin infection, you can prefer over-the-counter antihistamines to treat your cat’s allergy.
You can use liquid Benadryl for cats. It is among the most common allergy medicine for pets. It is an over-the-counter antihistamine that is safe for cats. The medication is available in capsules, tablets, liquid, and gels.
Meanwhile, if you plan to give your cat Benadryl, you should check that the medicine doesn’t include ingredients that may be toxic to your pet. The best thing to do is to ask for advice from your vet for the safety of your cat.
Benadryl blocks the histamine effects in the body. The chemicals are released in the body in response to an allergic reaction in cats. The best about Benadryl is that it can treat the symptoms of allergic reactions such as runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, swelling, itching, etc.
On the other hand, it is not safe for cats to take Benadryl if:
The cat has heart disease
If it has glaucoma
If your pet suffers from high blood pressure
If the cat takes specific medications
If the cat is prone to dry eyes
If your cat experiences chronic medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, liver disease, asthma, or seizure disorder
If your cat is anxious or highly stressed
Even though it is safe for cats, Benadryl has some possible side effects. It can cause dry mouth, sleepiness, and urinary retention. It can also cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting or diarrhea. The medication can also lead to a paradoxical effect wherein your pet may become jittery or very excited instead of sleepy.
If there is an overdose of Benadryl, it can lead to excitement or lethargy. The cat can also develop seizures, respiratory depression, dry mouth, coma, or even death.
Generally, an antihistamine can be the most effective medication to treat cat allergies. Before you provide natural or over-the-counter medicines, you should seek advice first from your veterinarian.