Ibuprofen (Nurofen) and naproxen are common and effective medications used to treat inflammation and pain in humans, but they should not be given to pets. These drugs can be toxic (poisonous) to dogs and cats, although cats are much more susceptible to this toxicity than dogs.
Ibuprofen is toxic to dogs and you should never give it to your pup. Just three to six ibuprofen capsules can be deadly for dogs, so keep the medicine in a safe place. There are canine-specific pain relievers that you can get from your vet or try natural options.
Can I give Human Painkillers to my Pet? The short answer is NO. You should never attempt to treat your pets with human medication, precautions should be taken to keep household medications out reach of your pet to avoid a potentially harmful or fatal reaction.
Should your vet prescribe paracetamol for your dog, it's likely that it will be a dosage of 10mg per kilogram, and should only be given once a day for one or two days.
What NSAIDs are safe for dogs? NSAID options that are approved for use in dogs include carprofen (e.g. Rimadyl), deracoxib (e.g. Deramaxx), etodolac (e.g. Etogesic), firocoxib (e.g. Previcox), meloxicam (e.g. Metacam), robenacoxib (e.g. Onsior), and mavacoxib (e.g. Trocoxil).
Over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for humans, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, can be toxic to dogs. Giving your dog these medicines can cause side effects such as gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, severe bleeding, and even kidney or liver failure.
Pain Relief for Dogs
The best of a bad lot is paracetamol, sold as Panadol, Calpol or Tylenol (called acetaminophen in the US). It is sometimes used by vets at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice daily.
"Aspirin can be used in dogs, but paracetamol is safer. Aspirin is toxic to cats, even at relatively low doses, so can only be used under veterinary supervision," Nick adds. "Herbal pain relief tablets can be effective in dogs.
A mild case of paracetamol poisoning can give your dog an upset stomach, and they may appear to be tired. Other symptoms can include laboured breathing, swelling on the face, neck or limbs, gums turning brownish-grey and jaundice. More serious cases can include signs of staggering, vomiting and restlessness.
For dogs, ibuprofen can easily exceed toxic levels. Ibuprofen has a narrow margin of safety in dogs. Signs of toxicosis can occur when as little as half a 200 mg pill is given to a 25 pound dog. The most common cause of ibuprofen toxicity is a well-meaning owner trying to alleviate pain in his dog.
No, you can't give dogs Ibuprofen. Ibuprofen is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) created for human consumption and it's not safe for dogs in any dose.
Signs of toxicity (particularly gastrointestinal symptoms) can be seen 2-6 hours after ingestion. However, serious complications may not be seen for 4-5 days post-ingestion. Toxic consumption: Ibuprofen: Signs of toxicity may be seen at doses of 50 mg/kg (22 mg/lb) in dogs and 25 mg/kg (11 mg/lb) in cats.
Do not give your dog ibuprofen or acetaminophen. There are some NSAIDs just for dogs: Carprofen (Novox or Rimadyl) Deracoxib (Deramaxx)
If you believe your pet ingested ibuprofen, it is important to call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 animal poison control center, at 1-800-213-6680 right away to have the risk of poisoning assessed. Depending upon the dose ingested, hospitalized care may be needed.
Ibuprofen, commonly known by the brand names of Motrin® or Advil® and may more can be used in dogs to reduce swelling and inflammation, most commonly from arthritis and musculoskeletal pain. Ibuprofen belongs to a general class of drugs known as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID).
While you can use human baby aspirin as recommended by your vet, aspirin made for dogs is typically a better option. Human aspirin has a coating on it that helps to protect the human stomach from irritation. Your dog cannot digest this coating, so the medication may not provide the desired effects.
Nurofen contains an anti-inflammatory called Ibuprofen which is highly toxic to pets. Even just one or two tablets can cause vomiting, abdominal discomfort, and painful stomach ulcers. In more severe cases, the Ibuprofen can cause major damage to your pet's kidneys.
Never attempt to relieve your dog's pain by administering over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen, naproxen (e.g., Aleve), acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol), or aspirin. Human anti-inflammatories can cause life-threatening toxicities in pets, and you should give your dog only veterinarian-prescribed medications.
However, as tempting as it may be to reach for an over-the-counter pain meds such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen and give it to the family dog, you must avoid them at all costs. Over-the-counter pain meds and anti-inflammatories can be very dangerous, even fatal, when used improperly in dogs.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in dogs. NSAIDs help many dogs lead more comfortable lives, but these drugs should be used carefully because they all can cause side effects, some of which can be serious.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a major role in controlling dog joint pain and inflammation. Prescription medications such Galliprant, Carprofen, and Meloxicam are the safest options for controlling pain and inflammation compared to over-the-counter, non-veterinary products.
When your dog is unwell or has a painful injury, you may be tempted to give them human painkillers such as paracetamol, aspirin, codeine or ibuprofen. However, it is imperative dog owners do not try to administer pain relief to their pet without first consulting a vet.
No. Ibuprofen is considered toxic for dogs and should never be used as a canine painkiller. Never give your dog Advil, Motrin, Midol or other drugs containing ibuprofen. Even small amounts can be life-threatening.