Benedryl and cats?

Question

is it ok to give a cat that wont sleep at night a little bit of benedryl . is there anything else that i can give her my vet said it was ok but i just want to make sure?

Answer 1

No human medications should be given to cats. Cats not sleeping at night is normal. They sleep most of the day. You'll need to deal with the fact the cat won't sleep a whole lot at night.

Answer 2

Cats are nocturnal and are up most of the night/sleep during the day. If it is keeping you awake, shut your door or find some way of preventing the cat from coming into your room.

You should never medicate a cat with "people" drugs. Cat's nervous systems are very sensitive and they could have a reaction to it...even die. Have the Vet give you an animal grade of Benedryl, but only use this if the cat has an allergy problem.

Answer 3

Cats sleep all times of the day. They usually are up at night. Now if your cat isn't sleeping at all take it to another vet. I have a Persian. The kind of cat with a pushed in nose. During the summer months I sometimes have to use Benedryl on him. But get it from your vet or a pet cataloge. A human dose will kill your animal.

Answer 4

Hi there...Benadryl for cats can be lethal if the incorrect dosage is administered. Generally, when veterinarians prescribe Childrens Benadryl (not adult formulas which is fatal for cats) it's used to alleviate itchiness symptoms not for drowsiness. Any vet can confirm this fact.

Cats who will not sleep at night need to have their schedules adjusted by doing the following:

Consider by playing with her using more physical active activities (e.g. laser light) using interactive play for 10-15 minutes prior to bedtime to exhaust her so she'll sleep longer. If your cat isn't free fed (food available at all times) some people who feed their cats on schedule (once in the morning and once at night) have found that by feeding right just before bedtime also note that this has a sedating effect because their tummy's are full.

This particular method isn't known to many as most people are not willing to consider it, however one the things we as animal trainers/behaviourists do to break bad behaviours with animals is to ignore the undesired behaviour. What follows is called an extinction burst where the behaviour becomes progressively worst for awhile hoping for the same positive reinforcement as received in past. Eventually the animal learns this behaviour does not gains them any positive reinforcement and eventually fades away.

Here's another example of how an extinction burst works: This happens when a proven method of doing something that brings a desired response (i.e. stealing socks always elicits a chase from a human), all of a sudden stops working. The extinction burst is the part where the dog tries the proven method again and again, and hundred times stronger before they figure out that it just doesn't work anymore. Human equivalent: you're at the elevator. You pressed the button 10 seconds ago. This has always made the elevator come and pick you up. For some reason, there's no sign that the elevator's coming. You press it again. And again, and again and again, harder and harder, with more force (extinction burst!), until finally you just give up and use the stairs. If the original method doesn't work anymore, why use it?!

More on Extinction Burst: http://www.shirleychong.com/keepers/archives/bursts.txt

Answer 5

It's fine to give a cat benadryl for the purpose of helping with allergies, but ONLY under the supervision of a vet and definitely not for the long term. Cats are nocturnal creatures. They like to be awake at night and some are more active than others. Late night bursts of energy are just part of having a cat. Honestly, I don't often recommend it, but you might consider re-homing Oscar if you can't handle his late night activity. I don't think it's a good idea to drug a cat to have them behave in a manner that opposes their nature as a matter of convenience.

Answer 6

Human medicines are really strong for animals. I would take a second opinion from another vet. If that one says it's all right, use only a very small dose and NEVER use the amount prescribed on the bottle. That dose is for a human.

Note: Most cats are nocturnal, so use medicines to make it sleep only if it's necessary.

Answer 7

I think you should get a second opinion for that does not sound like very good advice to me. If you want your cat to sleep at night then do what I do and have play time right before you go to bed.
Get a laser light and let your cat chase it and it will soon wear it out and she will be ready to sleep.
Just find something to really get her active for 15-20 minutes or more. You keep up this practice and soon she will be conditioned to sleep more at night.

Answer 8

benedryl is kinda safe but in cats will tend to do the opposite. Cats are creatures of the night and tend to be up at night.

Answer 9

The vet that takes care of my sister's cat diagnosed the cat with allergies, and told her to give it Benedryl. Kind of nutty if you ask me, but that's what he, and apparently yours, said.

Answer 10

i've had vets recommend it to calm them during long travel/trips, but if they have a persistent sleeping problem then benedryl is not a long term solution and i'd get a second opinion.