Can Dogs Take Ibuprofen for Pain?
| Print | By Dr. Lauren Brickman | April 27, 2009 1:58 PM

Can Dogs Take Ibuprofen for Pain?

Q: My dog has a lot of pain in the hip area. Prescribed meds help, but are so expensive. Can I give her the ibuprofen that I take?

A: Unfortunately I can not advise using ibuprofen in dogs. It is not considered safe for them and can in some instances be quite toxic to their kidneys, liver and gastrointestinal tract. The medications prescribed by your vet have been proven to be safe for long term use in dogs. Perhaps your veterinarian can find you an alternative medication that is both cheaper and safe for your dog.

Comments (26)

Anonymous January 27, 2009 7:07 PM

Can I give my cat baby asprin?

Anonymous January 28, 2009 2:16 PM

I'm not a vet, but I don't believe that you can. Cats don't have the liver enzyme necessary for breaking down aspirin. It could be very dangerous. If your cat is experiencing pain, I would call your vet to see what some safer options are

Anonymous February 7, 2009 5:07 PM

anybody know what it means when your dog has a lump in his throat and his ears are warm kinda like he has a sore throat or an ear infection?

Anonymous February 11, 2009 2:56 PM

is there an odor from the ear? my dog gets ear infections all the time and his ears get hot but there is always an unpleasent odor. as for the lump in the throat, i am not sure. i give my dog asprin to help his hip pain as well as perscription meds. as long as you are getting their blood tested often i feel that asprin is fine for dogs. since he is on pain meds as well i give him half of a 325 mg asprin when needed; usually after a hard work out

Anonymous February 11, 2009 3:10 PM

I have a dog and alot of the time he shakes real bad like he's having a panic attack.. Is there something i could do??

Anonymous February 11, 2009 4:03 PM

as for the aspirin, 325 mg. is quite a bit for a dog. I hope he is a really big one. my vet recommened baby aspirin. but it is hard on their tummies. He is now on Remidyl, it works well, he takes 1/4 a tab. he also has Tramadol when the pain is more bothersome, but his is for nerve pain in the back that comes and goes.

Anonymous February 11, 2009 4:06 PM

cats canot have aspirin or tylenol it can kill them, their livers can not process it, it is like toxic to them. you must call the vet. they can always work with you on money problems.

Anonymous February 11, 2009 4:11 PM

I also have a dog that shakes for no reason, it just comes on. but if he is scared or stressed it makes it come on also. he is a white Maltese. there is such a thing as a white dog shaking syndrome, I think mine is anxiety. he is as he got older more nervous. I would have him checked out. they put my dog on a medicine clomacalm, he takes it 1/4 tab 2 x a day. it has done wonders, he is so much more relaxed and playful. it does not make him dopey or drowsy at all. I would talk to my vet about him. they are not happy when stressed out.

Anonymous February 11, 2009 6:12 PM

please people go to the vet first if you love your pet
its been said not to give them asprin please be kind to your animals sometimesls i think they are smarter than people at least some that i know feb 10 o9

Anonymous February 11, 2009 6:12 PM

please people go to the vet first if you love your pet
its been said not to give them asprin please be kind to your animals sometimesls i think they are smarter than people at least some that i know feb 10 o9

Anonymous February 11, 2009 6:12 PM

please people go to the vet first if you love your pet
its been said not to give them asprin please be kind to your animals sometimesls i think they are smarter than people at least some that i know feb 10 o9

Anonymous February 12, 2009 10:30 AM

let me get this right. you are concerned enough to find out what the problem is with your pet, but when you find out that it is going to cost you extra money you are looking at alternative ways to treat the problem that will cause long term illness and/or death. here is a tip from me, put the animal down or fork out the money. but dont make them suffer from kidney failure.

Anonymous February 13, 2009 3:49 AM

my 5yr.old(m)lab-mix had a opague mass in a vertibre that rendered it paralized in hind-quarters within 2hrs. of onslaught,cost $6,500.. mri/ct scan showed lesser-opague masses in agoining vertibre. question: would ultrasound break-up lesser masses,if so why not suggested by vet.? if not fesiable,'alternitive'?! deep-tissue massager ?

Anonymous February 16, 2009 4:37 PM

ARE YOU GUYS STUPID??? ANIMALS CANNOT HAVE HUMAN MEDICATIONS!!!

raisedonafarm89 April 4, 2009 11:31 AM

funny that you think these people are stupid. Do u think there is a completely different line of medications for dogs?.. NO... my dog had a UTI and guess what they gave her. Ciprofloxin.. same as what I got when I had one. They are mostly the same medications just slighly altered or a lesser dose. And on the aspirin thing, my father gave our chow aspirin in the winter to help with his joint pain. The dog is 16 years old and still going strong. Im not a Vet. but I obviously dont see a problem with it.

wild42dad April 28, 2009 2:30 AM

we just adopt a 5 year old chihuahua, we take out to pottie but she has done anything 4 day. we have also notice that she also sleep alot and that she has diarea while she sleeping.what I want to know is what causing the black diarea and the sneezing and shake that she been having

Lovemydog May 9, 2009 12:51 PM

Sometimes the vet is not an option because it is closed so you need something to get through the weekend. Therefore, thank you to all who said that tylenol and ibuprofen are not safe but a low dose aspirin may help my dog be in a bit less pain until the vet opens on Monday. I'll pay whatever it takes but you can't exactly pay when the vet is CLOSED!!!!!

nancy May 9, 2009 11:55 PM

Im sure evryone on this sight loves their animals. I pay 300 .00 a month in medications for my dogs. Just because someone might be looking for a less expensive alternative does not mean they are stupid or cruel. Any one seeking medical treatment for themselves or their pets would be irresponsible and stupid if they did question and seek second oppinions. By the way I work two jobs to get my dogs medical treatment if I knew that my dog could take an otc drug for 10.00 dollars rather than the 120.00 prescription med that was safe and offered the same results...... do the math. Thats why people are asking.

alphamoon65 May 20, 2009 9:28 AM

Of course taking your dog to the vet is the first thing you should do, but with many people (my family included) losing jobs, and trying to make ends meet..it is extremely costly to go to the vet when your trying to make your next house payment. I was at the vet 9-10 months ago and it cost me 386.00 to update shots, blood work, office visit, and meds. and I still had to turn down somethings. Now after requesting twice the pain meds my dog needs that cost over 100.00 a month without a visit is something they cannot do. Well I cannot afford 300.00 at the moment. There has to be some sort over the counter meds that a dog can take. A vet I'm sure could help with this, but then they would not be making money..so of course they are going to say not to treat your pet. Any other time this is fine, but in times of trouble like now there should be some sort of meds that can be advised. My dog is 12, and weighs in at 117lbs. He has bad hips, and that is it. He is a large breed mix..so weight really is not the problem here either. Walking without meds is impossible as well. To watch him suffer because I can't not afford a huge vet bill is crazy. They suggested I use my credit card...really? Times are tough when you are jobless...any advice for that. The suggestion of getting a job is sure to come...and thank you for that...I've been searching..they seem a little scarce at the moment too. My dog has been to the vet on a regular basis since he was six weeks old. Matter of fact, his mother was treated by the same vet. I had no idea we would lose jobs, and possibly our home...I am not stupid, nor am I cruel. My dog lives better than some humans. He is adored and loved by the entire family. I would love nothing more to pop into the vets office and get whatever he needs. This is a horrible situation. We have went through all of our savings trying to get it all together, and at the moment things look dim. So, with that said I would prefer people not to pass judgment on every person requesting alternative options.

Anonymous June 19, 2009 7:27 PM

To the person who was so critical about people trying to find alternative ways to care for their pets minor symptoms ie. over the counter drugs. Due to the economy it is not surprising that people who once had the cash to give the best care (which by the way is ridiculously expensive)can no longer do so but that doesn't mean they don't love their pets. You are ignorant and I sure hope you don't find yourself in a situation where you can't afford the very best and have to find alternate solutions. I commend those who are trying to do the best they can to keep their pets and aren't abandoning them because they can't afford to take them to the vet for a sore throat. Serious situations do warrant a visit to the vet so please take them. If you can't afford to see a vet speak to your vet and let he or she know about your financial situation, if they are good they will work with you.

ryan June 24, 2009 2:32 AM

Anonymous-
She was replying to you because you act like people who can't afford to take their pets to the vet or some cruel evil people. My dog has an auto immune disease and lately his hips are really hurting him. I give him tramadol because he can't take aspirin due to the prednisone he is on. I spend tons of money on his meds and everything, but I am cashed out and I can't afford all these x-rays he needs to figure exactly what the deal is besides his disease. I love my dog and most people love their pets especially after 12 yrs. the one person alphamoon has had his/her pet. What do you suggest for these people? Credit cards are the worst thing to do, because you have to pay it after a month or you are more in debt. I agree, you better stop passing judgement and acting like people are evil for not being wealthy enough to afford huge health bills. Would you suggest spending the last dime on the dog if a person has 3-4 kids that have nothing? Think about what you say. I hate when people act like you don't love your pet because you don't have tons of money!

kevin June 27, 2009 3:44 PM

After spending thousands of dollars on our dogs ($900+ just this week) I realize that veterary medicine is one of the last bastions of professional non-competiveness. The antibiotic (ampicillin)and one of the post-cancer surgery pain medications (tramadol) prescribed cost $1 per capsule and $1.10 per tablet, respectively, both dispensed by low-wage technicians. I have taken both of these drugs in the same doses and paid one fifth to one-tenth of the cost at a local pharmacy. The big difference is that, like most people, I have an insurance plan that bargins for lower prices, even though I pay the entire price myself. With vets, drug prices are whatever they can get, and, without meaninful price competition or pressure from volume purchasers like insurance companies, there are no effective controls, though you can ask for a written prescription. Likewise, I suspect that drug manufacturers deliberately withhold OTC status even for some things like topical preparations for fleas, and I suspect that there are valid generic choices for the vet drugs that are promoted exclusively to vets. But I'm not going to risk the health of one of our dogs unless I'm sure, and there is very little research out there to help. I don't know what a safe dose of ibuprofen would be for a given dog, which is why I paid $44 for 10 Previcox, an NSAID developed and promoted only for dogs (available on-line for $53.50 for 30). Still the potential side effects listed for the NSAID Previcox in dogs are similar to side effects of OTC NSAIDs ibuprofen and naproxen in both humans and dogs. I do know this; many people do without optimal medical care for themselves because they can't afford it, and nobody has the right to pass judgement on somebody else's judgement as to what to do with their loved pet.

Larry July 4, 2009 4:57 PM

Alpha, 12 years old and unable to walk? Look into his eyes and see if he doesn't want to be put down, I would.

Susanna Gordon August 25, 2009 2:04 AM

Aspirin is bad for dogs and possibly for cats. I believe it is that the caffiene collects in their systems and causes damage to the internal organs. Ask your vet. It may cost you something for the visit, but after all your pet's life may be at stake. If you cannot afford vet care for your animal, you cannot afford to have an animal.

LYNN DUNK September 19, 2009 6:32 PM

MY DOG A HAS PANIC ATTACK BAD WHAT TO DO.

brandi November 15, 2009 11:36 AM

I once had a vet prescribe valium for my cat it was manufactured specifically for cats because of the dosage obviously you shouldnt give an animsl that weighs only 6-7lbs a dose that and adult humsn would take, but it was still them same chemical compound taken by humans. Also my dog takes human doses of benedryl to calm the itching from a skin condition. This too prescribed by a vet. Same cheical as humans this is not to say that some things can be toxic to animals, however, aspirin has been taken by dogs for years with little side effects. The dosing is what i woukd watch if you decide to give your dog aspirin. 325-500mg is acceptable to humans who weigh 130-250lbs. so do the math on the weight of your dog. If you onky weighed 50-60-70 lbs how much aspirin would you feel comfortable taking? I'm sure there is something to be said about drug companies making lots of money on "animal safe meds" and there are many cases where an animal should thake only those kinds of meds, but I'm guessing that a little aspirin to get your dog through the weekend until you can take them to the vet is ok.

Deb January 9, 2010 6:16 AM
Flag

Vet's are out to make money, the same way Dr's are. People used to get into these professions because they wanted to help people and animals. Now, it's become all about the dollar. You once could take your pet yearly for shots and checkups for a resonable fee. Office visit is as much as it is for humans nearly. We have 3 large dogs who have been well cared all of their lives, but we can no longer afford the costly trips to the vet. It's ridiculous. Had to have my 12 yr. old cat put down this year. Cost me 386.00. And would've been even more costly if I had not just said "no" to the ultra sounds and scans that they wanted to do, and the blood transfusions. Which would in the end only have prolonged his suffering. Ridiculous to spend thousands of dollars, credit card or not...only to label the reason for euthanasia. I love my animals, they are my companions, and I hated to lose my #1 buddy, but I also have to be realistic. They couldn't have save him or alleviated his suffering. One of my dogs is beginning to suffer with hip problems. And, yes, I will be giving her appropriate dosages of nsaid's or asprin as needed.

Reply
Geri Butts January 30, 2010 7:55 PM
Approved

GSB January 30, 9:28 p.m. We are in the same boat as some of the other people in this discussion. Because of th economy, we are unable to afford vet visits. We have two dogs, a golden retriever mix who will be 13 in a couple of weeks, and a ShitzTsu(who are inseparable). The 13 year old has had the problems with her hips and back legs this year that are associated with her breed. For several months I gave her 325mg of buffered aspirin, along with her thyroid medication and a glucosomine vitamin. I tried her on 50 Mg of Tramadol (my own meds), once per day. This seemed to increase her mobility. A friend recommended DGP (Dog Gone Pain) from American Biosciences. 888-884-7770. The results are nothing short of miraculous. There are all kins of writeups on this hollistic alternative. I took her off of Tramadol and aspirin and she has donne well on just DGP and glucosomine. She is almost back to her oroginal mobility and seems much happier. I am going to put her back on the Tramadol at bedtime, because she is still having difficulty but the SGP has inncreased her mobility by 80%. I am hoping that the Tramadol will make up the other 20%. The dogs are still getting their heartworm and flea medications, but I am always looking for sales on them.

We were caring for an American Eskimo for a friend who was having heart surgery. Unfortunately he did not survive and we kept the dog. The dog needs work on her teeth and her owner did not make any provision in his will or estate for the dog. The estate is still being contested by a family member, and it has been over a year.

We are thinking of going back to the attorney and ask for something for care of the dog. Anybody have any experience with this?

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