Benadryl for Cats With Liver Damage

Benadryl, also known as Diphenhydramine, is an antihistamine veterinarians sometimes prescribe for cats to treat allergies. Avoid giving Benadryl to cats with liver damage or liver disease as they cannot properly metabolize the medicine.

  1. Benadryl for Cats

    • Although not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in cats, veterinarians prescribe Benadryl legally for cats as an extra-label drug, to treat allergic symptoms in cats, motion sickness and vomiting, according to experts at the Pet Place website. Benadryl brand products containing Tylenol (acetaminophen) in addition to diphenhydramine, can cause liver damage or liver failure in cats.

    Liver Damage in Cats

    • Liver damage in cats results from acute hepatic failure, hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease) and chronic hepatitis. Symptoms include loss of appetite, jaundice, depression, seizures, drooling, vomiting and weight loss, according to the Televets veterinarian website. A vet can diagnose your cat with liver disease through blood tests, abdominal x-rays, ultrasound and liver biopsy.

    Considerations

    • Damage caused by liver disease in cats reduces the ability of the liver to detoxify the blood. Although Benadryl is safe for healthy cats, those with liver damage cannot properly process the drug, as it is metabolized through the liver, and should not be given Benadryl for any reason.