Can dogs have paracetamol?

Quick takeaways about dogs and paracetamol

• Paracetamol is toxic to dogs and can cause serious health issues.
• Pain relief can hide a dog’s health problem and make it more serious later on.
• If you think your dog is in pain, visit the vet so they can treat the root cause.

 

It’s tough to see our pets in pain. While it can be tempting to give your dog something to make them feel better, paracetamol (and other painkillers like ibuprofen) are toxic to dogs – especially in the wrong doses.

It’s no secret that vet fees can be expensive, but human painkillers can cause liver damage and red blood cell problems – which could lead to a higher vet bill in the long-term.

Here, we explain the importance of relying on your vet for pain management and how to manage vet fees if you’re struggling.

 

Why should a vet be the one to give my dog pain relief?

You should always leave it to a vet to administer pain relief because they can work out the correct dosage for your dog’s condition, breed and size, which will always be much smaller than that for humans.

They can also select the right brand of painkiller – some brands contain ingredients that are toxic to dogs, like xylitol.

What’s most important is finding out why your pooch is in pain. Pain relief is only temporary and can hide the real cause, making it more serious in the long term.

 

Can dogs have aspirin?

Never give your dog aspirin. Even small doses can cause stomach ulcers and inflammation. Aspirin overdose in dogs can be fatal.

 

Can dogs have ibuprofen?

Ibuprofen is toxic to dogs, damaging the kidneys and stomach. In some cases, the damage can cause seizures and comas.

 

What should I do if my dog accidentally eats human painkillers?

If your dog ingests even a small dose of paracetamol, aspirin or ibuprofen, take them straight to the vet.

Remember to gather as much information as you can about what happened beforehand.

Make a note of the name, strength and amount of medication they ate and when. If you have the packaging, take it with you.

 

What should I do if I think my dog is in pain?

If you’re worried your dog is in pain, call your vet and book an appointment.

Like humans, dogs can experience pain and get ill, but they can’t tell us how they feel.

Common signs your dog might in pain include:

• Excessive licking
• Changes in behaviour
• Shaking
• Aggression or grumpiness
• Panting or crying
• Excessive licking or scratching a specific area
• Reluctance to play, interact or exercise
• Limping
• Loss of appetite.

 

What if I’m struggling to pay the vet bills?

First, don’t be embarrassed to ask your vet for help. They might be able to give you a discount, put a payment plan in place or prescribe cheaper medicines.

If you still struggle to settle your vet bills, some charities can help:

• PSDA – they offer low-cost or free vet care to the pets of people in need
• Dogs Trust – they provide low-cost or free vet assistance for dogs owned by homeless people and people in a housing crisis
• RSPCA – they can sometimes help you pay your vet bills, depending on where you live.

You’ll likely need to meet some requirements to get help from these charities – their websites will tell you more.

 

The bottom line

Human painkillers, like paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen, are toxic to dogs. The wrong dosage and some ingredients, like xylitol, can cause severe health issues.

While it can be tempting to skip going to the vet to save time and money, it can cost you much more in the long term and prolong your dog’s pain.

It’s always worth visiting the vet so they can do a full check-up to figure out why your dog might be in pain and address the underlying cause.

 

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