Cat · Felis catus · typical adult weight 2.50–7.00 kg
Diphenhydramine is dosed at 1–2 mg/kg PO q8-12h in cats, per Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed. Diphenhydramine is used in cats for Allergic reactions, sedation. Routes documented in cats: PO. A typical adult cat weighs 2.50–7.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 1 cited dose rule for Diphenhydramine in cats, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Benadryl
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 1–2 mg/kg | q8-12h | As needed | Allergic reactions, sedation | Moderate | Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed |
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Competitive antagonist at histamine H1 receptors. Also has anticholinergic, anti-motion sickness, and mild sedative properties.
Sedation common (first-generation). Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention). Ensure product does not contain xylitol or pseudoephedrine. Dogs and cats. Less effective than second-gen antihistamines for pruritus.
Species-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for cats may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Diphenhydramine dose range in cats, with cited source references: PO 1–2 mg/kg q8-12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Diphenhydramine in cats: PO.
Cited course lengths for Diphenhydramine in cats include: As needed. Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Diphenhydramine is indicated in cats for: Allergic reactions, sedation.
These are general warnings for Diphenhydramine across species; consult the cat dosing table above for species-specific guidance. Sedation common (first-generation). Anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, urinary retention). Ensure product does not contain xylitol or pseudoephedrine. Dogs and cats. Less effective than second-gen antihistamines for pruritus.
Why a species-specific page? Diphenhydramine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in cats — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.