What can you give a dog for pain relief? What vets use

Nothing over the counter. There is no human painkiller that is safe to give a dog on your own judgment. Ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen (paracetamol) and aspirin can cause stomach ulcers, kidney failure, liver damage and death in dogs, and even a single tablet can be enough to do harm, especially in a small dog.

Pain relief that works for dogs is prescribed by a vet, who chooses the medicine and the dose for that dog. Until the appointment, the safe things you can do are rest, comfort and careful handling.

What can you give a dog for pain relief over the counter?

No painkiller sold for people. Dogs absorb and clear these drugs differently from humans, and the gap between an amount that does nothing and an amount that injures is narrow.

Many cold, flu, sinus and sleep products contain one of these drugs along with other ingredients, such as decongestants, that are dangerous to dogs in their own right. Some liquids and chewables are sweetened with xylitol, which is poisonous to dogs.

If your dog has swallowed any human painkiller, whether you gave it or the dog found it, call your vet, an emergency clinic or an animal poison control line now. Do not wait for signs, and do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet or poison control tells you to.

Why aspirin is not a safe default

Aspirin has a reputation as the gentle option, but do not give it. It is in the same drug family as ibuprofen and can cause stomach ulcers and bleeding in dogs. Buffered, coated and low-strength versions, and products sold as aspirin for dogs, are still aspirin.

It also gets in the way of proper treatment. A vet usually has to wait for aspirin to clear before starting a dog-specific anti-inflammatory, because the two together greatly raise the risk of ulcers. Vets do occasionally prescribe aspirin for particular conditions, at a dose they calculate and monitor. That is not the same as it being safe to give at home.

Creams, patches, CBD and supplements

• Human pain creams, gels and patches. Dogs lick and chew them. Products containing anti-inflammatories, numbing agents or salicylates can poison a dog, including from your own skin.
• Joint supplements and fish oil. These are not painkillers and will not help a dog that is hurting today. Ask the vet before starting one.
• CBD. The research is early and mixed, products are poorly regulated, and it can interact with other medicines. Talk to your vet first.

Pain relief for dogs: what vets use

Often the best pain relief is treating the cause: removing a rotten tooth, draining an abscess, treating an ear infection, repairing an injury. Alongside that, vets choose from several groups of medicine and frequently combine them. All of these are chosen and dosed by the vet for that dog. None is something to give from your own supply.

The dog-specific anti-inflammatories include carprofen, meloxicam, deracoxib, firocoxib and grapiprant. Tramadol is still prescribed in some cases, though research has cast doubt on how much it does for arthritis pain in dogs on its own. Steroids reduce inflammation in specific conditions and are not given together with an NSAID.

Several of these names also exist as human medicines. The human versions come in different strengths and forms, some contain xylitol, and they must never be swapped in. The dose of any of these depends on your dog's weight, age, kidneys, liver and other medicines, and only the prescribing vet can set it. Do not use tablets left over from another pet or an earlier illness.

Vets may also suggest treatment without drugs, such as weight loss, physical rehabilitation, laser therapy or acupuncture, depending on the cause.

Pain relief for dogs with arthritis

Arthritis is the most common reason an older dog needs pain relief long term. It is usually managed with a dog-specific anti-inflammatory or the antibody injection, often with a second medicine added, plus weight control and changes at home. The details are in what you can give a dog for arthritis pain and managing arthritis in older pets.

Old dog pain relief: why bloodwork comes first

Kidney and liver function often decline with age, sometimes with no outward sign. Those organs clear most pain medicines, and anti-inflammatories can add strain to kidneys that are already struggling. A dog that looks well can have blood results that change which drug is suitable.

Older dogs are also more likely to be on other treatment. Steroids, some heart and blood pressure medicines, diuretics and other anti-inflammatories can all raise the risk when combined with a pain medicine. Give the vet a full list, including supplements and anything you have already given for the pain.

For these reasons vets usually run blood and urine tests before starting long-term pain medication in a senior dog, and repeat them at intervals. Routine screening for older dogs is covered in the senior dog guide.

Once a dog is on any pain medicine, stop and call the vet before the next dose if you see vomiting, diarrhea, black or bloody stool, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, yellow gums or eyes, or a jump in drinking and urinating.

What you can safely do at home until the appointment

• Rest. No running, jumping, stairs or rough play. Short leash-only trips outside for bathroom breaks.
• A soft bed in a quiet, warm spot, on the floor so there is nothing to climb, with water within reach.
• Traction. Rugs or mats over slippery floors on the way to food and the door.
• Support. A towel slung under the belly can take some weight off sore back legs on steps.
• A cold pack for a fresh bump or sprain, wrapped in a towel and held on briefly, only if your dog is relaxed about it. Skip heat pads, which can burn.
• Careful handling. Do not press, stretch or massage the sore area. Any dog can bite when it hurts, so keep children away and move slowly.
• Notes for the vet. When it started, which leg or area, eating, drinking, bathroom habits, and a short video of your dog moving.

How to tell your dog is in pain

Dogs hide pain. Look for limping, stiffness, reluctance on stairs, panting at rest, restlessness at night, licking one spot, a hunched back, trembling, a poor appetite or snapping when touched. See the signs of pain in senior pets, and if your dog is crying out, read why an old dog yelps in pain.

Call the vet today if

• Your dog has swallowed any human painkiller or licked a pain cream. Call now, before signs appear
• Crying out, shaking or panting that does not settle
• A leg your dog will not put weight on, or back legs that drag or give way
• A swollen, tight belly, especially with retching that brings nothing up. This is an emergency
• Pale gums, collapse or trouble breathing
• Pain after a fall, a road accident or a fight, even if your dog seems to recover
• Straining to urinate or pass stool
• A squinting, red or cloudy eye
• Pain with vomiting, or a dog that has stopped eating
• Any pain in an older dog that lasts more than a day

This article is general educational information about pain relief in dogs and is not veterinary advice. It does not recommend any drug, supplement, product or dose. Never give your dog a human medicine, or a medicine prescribed for another animal, unless your veterinarian has directed it for this dog, because many are toxic to dogs or interact with other treatments. Decisions about pain relief for your dog should be made with your veterinarian.