OTC Pain Meds for Dogs

We hurt when our dogs hurt. And our immediate reaction is that we need to give the dog something, anything, to help, especially if your regular clinic is closed. What can you do to relieve those signs of pain in your dog?

Human Meds Are Often Toxic to Dogs

First, resist that urge to open your medicine cabinet and reach for one of your medications. This can deadly, in some cases, especially since even a safe drug can be toxic if overdosed.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and dogs don’t mix well. Acetaminophen is not ideal for controlling inflammation, which is often behind the pain your dog is experiencing, and it has a low safety margin for dogs and may cause liver damage. It can also interfere with the oxygen-carrying capacity of your dog’s red blood cells.

Ibuprofen Toxicity in Dogs

Skip the ibuprofen (Motrin), too. Like most non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ibuprofen can cause gastric irritation. It can also cause kidney damage, even kidney failure. Another hard pass.

Aspirin for Dogs

Aspirin, a go-to medication for many people, is not ideal for your dog. It can cause gastric irritation and even ulcers. It is used as a blood thinner, so if your dog’s injury has a bleeding component to it, it can make it worse.

Now what? You want to argue that all these medications can be used in your dog. Sure, in the right circumstances, but there are caveats. They should only be used under veterinary guidance. The veterinarian must know or have access to your dog’s complete medical history so they can weight risks versus benefits. And human OTC medications remain in the top 10 list for animal-poisoning causes for good reason.

Better Choices for Dog Pain Relief

Consider what type of pain your dog is in. Most over-the-counter human pain-relief medications are made to resolve inflammation and arthritis pain in humans. They won’t work for something like abdominal pain. They can even make abdominal pain worse.

Let’s say your dog was running, fell, and came up limping. It is a safe bet that his pain is orthopedic. Some OTC drugs might help, but before reaching for any medicine, I try running water from a cold hose over the affected leg for five minutes. Time it! We often feel it has been “forever,” when it has only been 90 seconds. You can do this in the shower or try a cold compress, if a hose is not available.

Natural options we would try include arnica. Try to buy homeopathic preparations only from trusted companies and look for verification from an independent third party or talk with your veterinarian for a good source.

You may also have luck with a CBD preparation. A good place to check for CBD is Elle Vet. They have an excellent reputation and have some efficacy studies to backup their products. Plus, they do products for dogs, so dosing is accurate.

Bottom Line on Pain Relief for Dogs

As a veterinarian, my go-to is the cold-hose treatment first. Repeat in eight to 12 hours, if needed. Combine that with restricted exercise. I avoid any medication, if possible, and stick to veterinary products, if I end up needing pain medications.

And, of course, you should consult your veterinarian as soon as the clinic is open, even if you think the dog is no longer hurting. Extreme pain, before your own clinic is open, may warrant a trip to the nearest emergency clinic.