What can you give a dog for pain? Expert explains safe pain meds (not Ibuprofen)

Maybe your dog went a little too hard during playtime and they're not running with the same pep, or the passage of time has caught up to them. Either way, seeing your pup in pain is never nice.

"There's different kinds of pain, just like we know in humans," explains Dr. Jerry Klein, a chief veterinary officer at the American Kennel Club. "There's acute pain and there's chronic pain; there's visceral pain, there's nerve pain; there's joint pain. So, you have to remember that pain is a big term."

The bottom line is our furry friends feel pain just like we do. But how, as a pet owner, can you help them feel better? Here's some guidance from an expert.

What can I give my dog for pain?

If you think your dog is not well, make an appointment with your veterinarian, Klein recommends.

"Dogs don't understand the concept of pain, so they act in the same way they act whenever they don't understand something, whether it's thunderstorms or the vacuum cleaner," he says. "It's hard for an owner to try to discern this. If you have a question, the first thing you should do – so you do no harm – is get them to your vet as soon as possible."

A veterinarian can assess what kind of pain your pet is experiencing and how to address it properly. Depending on the prognosis, certain tests, bloodwork or X-rays may be conducted.

Treatment will be decided once the cause of pain is determined. For example, if a dog injures its leg, ice may be beneficial.

Veterinarians will often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), opioid-type medications or a combination of both, Klein explains. NSAIDs can help reduce swelling, stiffness and joint pain in dogs.

According to the FDA, approved NSAIDs for dog pain include:

• Previcox
• Deramaxx
• Doxidyl
• Galliprant

NSAIDs are marketed by active ingredient and may come under a variety of brand and generic names, the FDA reports.

It is important to note, however, that dosage should be followed carefully, Klein says. Many of these medications come in chewable forms and dogs have been known to get into the bottle, leading to severe toxicity levels.

Can dogs have Tylenol or Ibuprofen?

You should never give your dog Tylenol or Ibuprofen. "It is wrong and it's dangerous to give human medication like Ibuprofen or Naproxen to dogs or cats, and Tylenol Extra Strength can be deadly to cats," Klein warns.

Human NSAIDs, such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol, are toxic to dogs, even in small doses. 

If your dog has acetaminophen poisoning, they could experience abdominal pain, vomiting, drooling, panting or liver damage, among other side effects, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. In the worst case, giving your dog Ibuprofen or Tylenol can be fatal.

"I worked emergency for 35 years, and we saw a lot of bad things, and drug toxicity is in the top five," Klein says. "If you look at the ASPCA list of number one medications that dogs get into and brought into emergency, first of all is non-prescription human medication, like Advil and Tylenol."

Alternative methods for pain relief in dogs

Pet owners can prevent some forms of pain by managing their dog's weight.

"Obesity has a really bad effect on the body, and especially on disease," Klein explains. "A dog that has arthritis – whether it's in its back or its hips or its joints – and has to lug around an additional 20% of their body weight or more is really suffering." Bone, joints and fat tissue secrete cytokines that can contribute to inflammation, exacerbating pain, he adds.

The best way to prevent this is by keeping your pet active. "An orthopedic surgeon once told me, motion is life. You stop moving; you stop living," Klein says. Be sure to walk your dog regularly and exercise them.

Other forms of pain management for dogs include acupuncture, hydrotherapy and swimming, Klein says. There are also laser treatments and infrared light therapy.

Green-lipped mussels are high in omega-3 and other fatty acids, which can improve joint lubrication and reduce inflammation, stiffness and joint pain, according to the American Kennel Club. There are various supplements and powders for dogs using green-lipped mussels.

"I think that it's important to realize that there are different rehabilitative modalities that – as long as you work with a veterinarian that is aware – can be beneficial for your dog," Klein says.

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Can I give my dog CBD?

Be wary of applying topicals and salves to your dog, Klein warns, because the primary concern is that they can lick it off.

"You can't control what they're absorbing versus what they're ingesting, and sometimes it's not going to be even (application), so I do not recommend (CBD) for a dog unless the veterinarian prescribes it," he adds.

Marijuana and THC are toxic to dogs, and in certain CBD products, other ingredients can also be "problematic," Klein says.

Studies have yet to find a proper dosage for CBD application on dogs, he adds. And since there is a range of dogs, based on size, it is also hard to decide how much CBD give, if any at all. Klein questions, would you give the same amount of CBD to a 5-pound Chihuahua that you would to 150-pound Great Dane?

CBD can also temporarily raise liver values in dogs, he adds. So, if a dog has underlying liver disease, this could pose further complications.

Consult your veterinarian before giving any human-use products to your pet, Klein says.

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