Should Your Dog Take Aspirin When In Pain?

There is always this painful feeling when you see your dog in pain. For many dog parents, it’s a time to do anything they can think of to help their dogs and relieve their discomfort.

However, it is never a good idea to administer medications to dogs without getting approval from your veterinarian. While Aspirin is a go-to choice for most people when they want to relieve pain, dogs may react differently to the drug.

Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to relieve pain. However, there are different kinds for adults and babies. Typically, baby aspirin contains a lower dose of the active ingredients in adult aspirin. While the regular adult aspirin is almost always fine for dogs, aspirin for babies or buffered aspirin is a safer and more potent choice.

Buffered Aspirin combines aspirin and an antacid. Antacids can prevent acidity, usually in the stomach. Using buffered aspirin could help reduce the risk of heartburn and upset stomach in dogs.

Aspirin can relieve various pains that dogs experience. Often, it is given to dogs with joint pain, limp, or post-surgical pain. In terms of the right dosage for your dog, it is usually best to get a recommendation from your vet.

While aspirin can be a good pain reliever for your dog, it may also have some side effects, including diarrhea, nausea, decreased appetite, and skin irritation. Contact your vet right away if you notice anything unusual when your dog takes aspirin.