You should never give your dog paracetamol unless under strict instructions by your veterinarian to do so.
Pain Relief for Dogs
The best of a bad lot is paracetamol, sold as Panadol, Calpol or Tylenol (called acetaminophen in the US). It is sometimes used by vets at a dose of 10 mg/kg twice daily.
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.
"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.
What NSAIDs are safe for dogs? NSAID options that are approved for use in dogs include carprofen (e.g. Rimadyl), deracoxib (e.g. Deramaxx), etodolac (e.g. Etogesic), firocoxib (e.g. Previcox), meloxicam (e.g. Metacam), robenacoxib (e.g. Onsior), and mavacoxib (e.g. Trocoxil).
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.
You can only give your dog pain medications specifically designed for canines and approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These drugs also have to be prescribed by a vet, since there are no FDA-approved OTC painkillers for dogs.
Although some animal medicines may share the same or similar ingredients as human medicines, they are not safe for human use and shouldn't be taken.
The short answer is NO. You should never attempt to treat your pets with human medication, precautions should be taken to keep household medications out reach of your pet to avoid a potentially harmful or fatal reaction.
Should your vet prescribe paracetamol for your dog, it's likely that it will be a dosage of 10mg per kilogram, and should only be given once a day for one or two days.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are one of the most commonly used and most effective drug in the treatment of pain due to arthritis or after surgery in dogs and cats. Rimadyl®, Metacam®, Dermaxx®, and Etogesic® all belong to this class of drugs.
You should never give your dog ibuprofen. The medicine can cause damage to your dog's stomach and kidneys, says Alison Meindl, DVM, a veterinarian, and professor at Colorado State University. This is because ibuprofen blocks the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX).
While you can use human baby aspirin as recommended by your vet, aspirin made for dogs is typically a better option. Human aspirin has a coating on it that helps to protect the human stomach from irritation. Your dog cannot digest this coating, so the medication may not provide the desired effects.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control pain and inflammation in dogs. NSAIDs help many dogs lead more comfortable lives, but these drugs should be used carefully because they all can cause side effects, some of which can be serious.
Vets usually prescribe aspirin for dogs with osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal inflammation. The anti-inflammatory properties of aspirin help reduce the pain and inflammation associated with these conditions and can offer your dog relief from symptoms.
Veterinary nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used to control fever, pain, and other signs of inflammation in animals.
A mild case of paracetamol poisoning can give your dog an upset stomach, and they may appear to be tired. Other symptoms can include laboured breathing, swelling on the face, neck or limbs, gums turning brownish-grey and jaundice. More serious cases can include signs of staggering, vomiting and restlessness.
Paracetamol is a common human medication and can be bought without a prescription. In certain circumstances, it can be used in dogs. However, dogs require different doses than humans. Paracetamol can be highly toxic to dogs if they are given too high a dose.
Many pain medications considered safe for people can be toxic or even fatal for dogs. Never give your dog aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or any other medication designed for humans without first consulting your vet.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.