When your dog injures himself, you may want to rummage through the medicine cabinet for something to help relieve his pain — but don’t do that. Giving her any over-the-counter pain relievers at home could cause more harm.
What can I give my dog for pain relief at home?
Nothing in your medicine cabinet is safe for your dog’s pain. Advil, Tylenol, Aleve, and other human pain relievers are all dangerous for dogs. Giving your dog an NSAID or a human nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug can damage the kidneys and liver, and can cause stomach ulcers, seizures, and even death.
The preferred way to treat your dog’s pain is a pain reliever that is specifically designed for dogs and approved by your dog. FDA. These medications, such as Carprofen and Grapiprant, are considered safe for dogs and are available by prescription from a veterinarian.
In some cases, and only when your veterinarian prescribes it, you can give your dog low-dose aspirin or baby aspirin for short-term use to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. However, aspirin is an over-the-counter NSAID that has the potential to harm your dog.
Plain Tylenol is safe for dogs Dr. Timothy Bowe of the North Colony Animal Clinic in Texas, but the problem is that all the different formulations, such as pm or extra strength, are unsafe for dogs, so most veterinarians don’t recommend Tylenol no prescription. The best course of action, he says, is to call your local vet and take your pet to the vet if you think they’re in pain.
As with any medication, watch your dog for any side effects. Use the acronym BEST to assess whether your dog will respond to a canine NSAID. If he exhibits any of the following, stop giving the medication and call your vet right away:
- REMOVEchange behavior
- Eating less
- Sred kin, scaly
- BILLIONdry stools/diarrhea/vomiting
What medication can I give my dog for pain relief?
There are other analgesic for dogs natural or holistic and available at most pet retail stores. As for medication, check with your veterinarian before giving your dog a supplement designed to relieve dog pain. Some supplements can react with medications and could be dangerous for your dog.
Some supplements formulated for dogs that may help relieve pain or discomfort for dogs include:
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin
- CBD Oil
- Boswellia serrata
- turmeric
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Dosage should be advised by your veterinarian, as dosage depends on exact body weight, age and health.
Sometimes dogs can recover from minor injuries without medication simply by resting and limiting activities. Maintaining a healthy weight and activity level can help prevent injury and relieve joint stress. Feeding your dog a biologically appropriate and nutrient-rich diet will help keep your dog healthy and help recover from injuries faster.
If your dog injures himself or you suspect he is in distress, call your veterinarian immediately. Never give your dog medication without first talking to your veterinarian.
