Are Human Pain Medications Safe For Dogs? Advil, Aspirin, Etc.

Are Human Pain Medications Safe For Dogs? Advil, Aspirin, etc.

Whether it’s due to a limp or a cut, at some point, all pet owners will inevitably find themselves asking, “What can I give my dog for pain?”

The first thing all pet owners should do when they suspect something is wrong with their pet is call their veterinarian; of course, most animals have an uncanny ability to only get sick when the vet is closed, so it’s also important to know where the nearest emergency vet clinic is located. However, if it doesn’t seem to be a total crisis and you believe your dog can wait until morning to see the doctor, there are a few things you can do to help your pet stay comfortable until a vet appointment.

Whether your dog seems to have a limp, a sore back, an upset stomach or a painful ear, one of the first things you should do is make your dog a comfortable place to relax and stay relatively immobile. If your dog has a crate, maybe put a few extra blankets and pillows in there, and bring the food and water bowls close to the door so they don’t have to travel far. If your pet is agreeable, you could even close the crate door to keep out other animals in your home who may want to investigate or play, and to encourage the injured animal to stay still.

If your pet seems to have trouble getting around, perhaps due to a sore leg or hips, if you’re able, you should lift and carry your animal up and down stairs. The less movement and strain on its sore joints, the better.

As far as medications go, there are no human medicines that are totally safe to give to pets. However, for short-term care, a human non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as Aspirin or Advil can be safe for your adult pet.

Puppies and cats of all ages should never be given human medications, because they have virtually no tolerance, and even a small dose can be lethal!

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