Do not give Ibuprofen to your dog or cat under any circumstances. Ibuprofen 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.
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.
"Paracetamol is licensed in dogs as Pardale V for 5 days. The dose in Pardale V works out at 33mg of paracetamol for every kg of body weight, three times daily. The listed dose in most vet formularies is 10mg/kg twice to three times daily," Nick explains.
While it's safe and effective for people, you should never be tempted to use it to treat your pet without veterinary advice, as it can poison them and cause a serious or fatal reaction.
While it may be tempting to give your pooch some paracetamol to save on vet fees, the truth is, it's potentially dangerous and could end up costing you more in the long run.
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.
These products should not be given to animals due to the risk of toxicity. Always consult your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication. As little as one 200 mg ibuprofen tablet can toxic to cats and smaller dogs. NSAIDs are also considered a potential toxin for horses that are not eating.
Ibuprofen Toxicity in Dogs
In an acute ingestion, the toxic dose of ibuprofen is considered to be 11 mg per pound. 1 As mentioned earlier, it can be as low as 3 – 4 mg per pound if given chronically. The first level of toxicity is considered to be gastrointestinal.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in dogs.
Paracetamol is a very popular painkiller in humans, however it can be toxic or fatal in small animals. Dogs are less sensitive to paracetamol than cats. A 20kg dog would need to ingest over seven 500mg tablets in order to suffer toxic effects. In cats, one 250mg paracetamol tablet could be fatal.
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.
The short answer is no. Aspirin for dogs is not safe. Although there are a number of over-the-counter treatments for humans that can be used for dogs with approval from a vet—artificial tears, topical antibiotic ointment, and antihistamines, to name a few—aspirin is never OK for your pets.
Most OTC (over-the-counter) pain medications that are made for people, such as naproxen or ibuprofen, should never be given to dogs. Even at very small doses, they can cause life-threatening gastrointestinal (GI) ulcers, liver failure, and/or kidney failure.
That means some medications that are safe for people can be toxic to dogs or can even kill them. Never give your dog the most common over-the-counter human pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
Symptoms of Ibuprofen Poisoning in Dogs. Some symptoms of ibuprofen poisoning in dogs, like vomiting and diarrhea, occur quickly, either immediately or within a few hours. Other symptoms, like stomach ulcers, may take longer to develop.
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.
If you are worried that your dog ate ibuprofen, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately. Ibuprofen toxicity in dogs can cause serious damage to the kidneys, so time is of the essence if you think your dog has gotten ahold of the medication.
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.
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.
Paracetamol is not registered for use for dogs in Australia, meaning that it can only be administered to the strictest of guidelines. You should never give your dog paracetamol unless under strict instructions by your veterinarian to do so.
Never give your dog aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), naproxen or any other anti-inflammatory medications meant for humans without first consulting your veterinarian.
Human anti-inflammatory medications are almost universally toxic to dogs. A single dose of Nurofen or Voltaren can be fatal, and survivors are left with permanent organ damage. Even aspirin, although used in the past as a blood thinner, is not recommended. The veterinary pain medications are the only safe option.
Can I give my dog Panadol, Ibuprofen or Asprin? These common over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) might be effective at easing your pain, reducing swelling, stiffness and joint aches. But human painkillers, whatever the type or dosage, should never be given to your pet.