Can I Give My Dog Advil or Tylenol?

Is It O.K To Give My Dog Pain Killer

Most people, when asked, say that pain is part of life. That we must experience pain, and understand pain before, we can experience and understand healing. But, what exactly is pain? Of course one could argue that pain comes in many forms; emotional and mental included. However, the pain we are discussing is good old fashioned physical pain. Physical pain is defined as any type of physical suffering or even physical discomfort that is caused by an illness or an injury.

Our furry family members are not excluded from pain. They may never experience a paper cut necessarily, but, they may experience a broken bone, arthritis, headaches, as well as muscle tension and various other types of physical pain. As society has taught us, medications such as Advil or Tylenol can help to relieve certain forms of physical pain.

However, is this an appropriate treatment for our dog’s pain? Or, should we examine alternative pain relief methods? Let’s dig deeper into these medications and find out!

can dogs have advil

What is Advil?​​​​​​​

Advil is an over the counter name brand medication that is classified as a NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). The active component in Advil is Ibuprofen which is a pain reliever that reduces inflammation and pain throughout the body.

The most common physical pain that is treated with Advil includes headaches, arthritis, back pain, minor injuries, as well as menstrual cramps. Humans older than six months old are able to treat their ailments with Ibuprofen (usually after consulting a doctor).

There are risks to taking Advil without consulting a physician first. Advil or any medication containing Ibuprofen can potentially increase your risk of stroke or even a fatal heart attack. This is especially true if you treat yourself with Ibuprofen for an extended period or if you consume a high quantity.

Additionally, someone with heart disease should consult his or her doctor before self-treatment. Ibuprofen could cause internal problems including intestinal or stomach bleeding, both of which could become fatal.

When discussing Advil as a pain relief option for our pained pooches, we are really considering whether or not Ibuprofen is safe for them. If it is, then how much of a dose should they be given? How often? As well as various other questions that are unique to dogs and Ibuprofen treatment.

Dogs should never be given Ibuprofen (in any form) unless directed by the veterinarian. Your dog could have heart disease or other medical conditions that could quickly be made worse with the consumption of Ibuprofen.

What is Tylenol?

Tylenol is another over the counter name brand medication. However, the pain relieving active ingredient in Tylenol is not Ibuprofen; it is Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is used to treat multiple painful conditions including arthritis, toothaches, fevers, colds, headaches, muscle pain and backaches.

Similar to Advil (Ibuprofen) there are medical risks to self-treating with Acetaminophen. For example, if you have been diagnosed with liver disease, then you should avoid Tylenol (Acetaminophen). This is mainly due to Acetaminophen potentially causing harm to the liver or even cause fatalities.

If you have self-treated with Tylenol (Acetaminophen), and you are experiencing a loss of appetite, pain in the upper stomach, nausea, itching, dark colored urine, unusually colored stool, or even jaundice of your skin or eyes then you should inform your doctor immediately!

Acetaminophen is commonly added to cold and flu medications to help reduce fevers or pain when you are sick. Be sure to check all labels of drugs before purchase if you have been advised to stay away from Acetaminophen.

When discussing Tylenol as a pain relief option for our pooches in pain, we are really considering whether or not Acetaminophen is safe for them. If it is, then how much of a dose should they be given? How often? As well as various other questions that are unique to dogs and Acetaminophen treatment.

Dogs should never be given Acetaminophen (in any form) unless directed by the veterinarian. Your dog could have liver disease or other medical conditions that could quickly be made worse with the consumption of Acetaminophen.

Can you give a dog Advil or Tylenol when they are in pain?

So, now that we have discussed the basics of Ibuprofen (Advil) and Acetaminophen (Tylenol), we can now explain the purpose of this article. Can you give a dog Advil or Tylenol when they are in pain?

The first thing you should do if your dog is in any kind of pain or is showing any symptoms of unusual lethargy, illness or injury, is to make an appointment with the veterinarian. She will need to diagnose the condition before a treatment plan can be started.

Once a diagnosis is made, then she will likely suggest a treatment plan which may include a pain reliever. Providing any type of medication let alone human medication without consulting the veterinarian could cause severe harm to your dog. Don’t do it!

As a general rule of thumb for treating your pooch, Advil (Ibuprofen) and Tylenol (Acetaminophen) are not recommended as appropriate components of a treatment plan geared towards pain relief.

There has been a multitude of pet fatalities due to Acetaminophen treatment and Ibuprofen has caused many causes of ulcers and upset stomach in our furry family members. Neither of these over the counter human medications should be given to your dog or cat without the instruction of your veterinarian.

Alternative methods of pain relief for our canine companions:

pain reliever for dogs

Dog Pain Away is a pain reliever designed to treat arthritis, joint pain, and other types of physical pain that your dog may be experiencing. These tablets are chewable which make them much easier for your dog to consume as opposed to struggling to get him to swallow a pill. Any pet parent knows this battle, and if you do not then count yourself lucky! Arthritis and joint pain, in general, are very common medical problems in aging dogs.

There are also certain dog breeds that are prone to joint health problems, hip dysplasia, and elbow dysplasia. These conditions could potentially be treated with Dog Pain Away. This product has been produced as an All Natural Joint Relief medication that could renew your dog’s vitality, relieve him of arthritic pain, rejuvenate his aching joints as well as enhance his immune system. Dog Pain Away could potentially turn back the clock on your dog’s joints.

Ingredients list: This is the list that you should discuss with your veterinarian to find out about possible allergic reactions or other potentially harmful reactions.

Proprietary 1,500mg contains:

  • Natural Type II Collagen- (This is a component of joint cartilage. By consuming it orally, it is thought to reduce inflammation, autoimmunity, and overall benefit joint health)
  • Revitalizing Nutrients including:
    • Bromelain- (an enzyme found in pineapple which is believed to reduce swelling)
    • Papain- (an enzyme found in unripe papaya fruit that is used for pain, swelling, fluid retention, )
    • Boswellia- (anti-inflammatory)
    • Feverfew- (Commonly used in herbal medicine to treat ailments such as headaches)
    • Cayenne- (Thought to help with various illnesses and injuries including a sore throat, high blood pressure, aid in digestion and stimulate circulation)
    • Turmeric- (Powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant)
  • Proprietary New Zealand Marine Extracts
  • Directions of use:

    If your veterinarian has not been informed or has not authorized you to treat your dog with this medication, then it is highly recommended to steer clear of it. On the other hand, if she does give you the green light then you should treat as the package describes. They suggest weighing your dog or knowing your dog’s weight.

    Then, based on the weight, they suggest providing one tablet of the Dog Pain Away per 30lbs. If you own a dog that weighs 15lbs or less, they recommend using half of a tablet. However, these particular doses may vary depending on your dog’s diagnosis, breed, age, size, as well as other factors that the veterinarian should take into consideration.

    Results are seen by dog owners:

    The Dog Pain Away joint pain relief product has made a noticeable difference in the lives of so many dogs and their humans. As owners, it is hard to watch our furry family members in pain, so, when we find a product that works and relieves them of this pain, we like to stick with it!

    The following are “pros” stated by happy dog owners in regards to using Dog Pain Away.

  • Complete change in just three days
  • Running again
  • Sitting upright again after two years of being unable to do so
  • Works great on dogs with hip dysplasia

  • aspirin for dogs

    The Pro-Sense Enteric Coated 81mg Asprin is meant to eliminate pain temporarily for your pooch. This particular product is specially designed for dogs only and cannot be consumed by humans or other pets. However, it can assist your canine companion with their joint pain and arthritis. While this product is specially designed for dogs does not mean that it is the right product for your dog.

    It is always suggested that you discuss this product with your veterinarian before purchasing. Dogs that have an adverse reaction to Asprin, typically, experience hives, facial swelling, wheezing, bleeding in the stomach or ulcers.

    Ingredients list: This is the list that you should discuss with your veterinarian to find out about possible allergic reactions or other potentially harmful reactions.

  • Asprin 81mg
  • Croscarmellose sodium (Commonly used in pharmaceuticals to disintegrate the drug and help it reach the intestines)
  • D&C yellow #10
  • HPMC
  • Methacrylic Acid Copolymer
  • Microcrystalline Cellulose
  • Polyethylene Glycol/Propylene Glycol
  • PVP
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
  • Corn Starch
  • Stearic Acid
  • Talc (Used to absorb moisture, cut down on friction, keep skin dry, and prevent rashes)
  • Titanium Dioxide
  • This list may seem long, and you may not know what they are or how your dog might react to them. The best way to find out is to ask the veterinarian. Many of these ingredients do not hold much weight in the Asprin formula, and therefore, the risk of an adverse reaction is minimal.​​​​

    Directions of use:

    If the veterinarian has advised you that 81mg Asprin or more specifically, the Pro-Sense product is okay for you to use on your pooch, then it is important that you follow the packaging instructions. However, if your veterinarian has not been informed or has not authorized you to treat your dog with this medication then it is highly recommended that you talk to one.

    The packaging instructions suggest that you should provide the aspirin about a half an hour after your pup has eaten about 1/3 of his daily meal. It is also recommended that you do not crush the pill or allow your pooch to chew it but rather assist him in swallowing it whole.

    You will need to know how much your dog weighs in order to provide him with the proper dose. Pro-Sense suggests for dogs that weigh 15lbs or more to receive one tablet per 15lbs, twice a day.  This product is not recommended for dogs that weigh less than 15lbs.

    Results are seen by dog owners:

    The Pro-Sense Enteric Coated 81mg Asprin for Dogs product has made a noticeable difference in the lives of so many dogs and their humans. As owners, it is hard to watch our furry family members in pain, so, when we find a product that works and relieves them of this pain, we like to stick with it! This particular product seems to be a definite contender!

    The following are “pros” stated by happy dog owners in regards to using the Pro-Sense 81mg Asprin.

  • Improved mobility
  • Ideal for elderly dogs
  • Works on stiff joints
  • Apparent pain relief

  • Final thoughts to sum up:

    Before offering any over the counter medication to your furry family member, be confident that your veterinarian agrees with your choice. Certain ingredients or drugs could cause more harm than good if improperly dosed or unauthorized by the veterinarian.

    As their humans, the last thing we want is to see them suffer or in any kind of pain. However, you also shouldn’t want to cause them potentially more pain. The Dog Pain Away product, as well as the Pro-Sense product, could help your pet turn back the clock on his aging body!

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