Why shouldn’t I give paracetamol to my dog?
It’s distressing to see your pet suffering or in pain, but it’s really important that you’re not tempted to give them the types of over-the-counter painkillers that you would take to alleviate your own minor aches and pains.
Paracetamol, while safe for humans, can be extremely toxic for your dog (particularly if the wrong dosage is given), and can result in serious liver damage or problems with their red blood cells.
That’s because the body needs to produce an enzyme called glucuronyl transferase to enable the active ingredient to be ingested, and while your dog can produce this enzyme, actually consuming paracetamol and its active ingredient can harm your pet. It’s therefore always best to avoid giving any human painkillers – including paracetamol – to your dog.
You should always speak to your vet if you suspect your dog is in pain, as they’ll be able to find the cause and recommend suitable painkillers – such as a veterinary version of paracetamol – to make your pet more comfortable.
How can I tell if my dog is in pain?
Whether your dog has suffered an injury or has an underlying condition, it can sometimes be hard to tell when they’re in pain. Often, they suffer in silence, but there are tell-tale signs that your pet is uncomfortable and needs your help.
Some signs are more obvious than others, but your pet will let you know – in their own way – that something isn’t quite right. These signs include:
You might notice that your dog is sleeping more, or that they’ve changed how much they eat and drink. A loss of appetite – or difficulty eating hard food – can indicate pain (including dental pain), as can drinking more or less water than usual.
Your once-friendly dog might snap, or avoid being petted or fussed, or even hide away.
Your dog might bark more, or growl, howl or yelp. If your dog is more vocal than usual, they might be in pain.
Is your dog constantly licking their paws or cleaning themselves? It could be that they’re trying to sooth themselves or ease pain. While small cuts can be an obvious source of discomfort for your pet, some pain might be internal, so it’s always best to get it checked out.
If your dog is pacing, struggling to get comfortable, or sleeping less, they could be telling you that something isn’t quite right.
Have you noticed that your dog is panting more, or more heavily, even while resting? Or is their breathing more shallow, even after exercise? This could be a sign that they’re finding breathing painful, which could indicate an underlying issue.
This can be a sign of pain or something more insidious, such as poisoning or kidney disease.
Swollen limbs or a hunched or rigid stature can indicate that your dog is in pain, so it’s important that any changes in your pet’s body or posture are addressed by your vet.
Limping or stiff limbs, as well as difficulty climbing stairs, running, jumping or getting up can be signs of pain. You might also notice that your dog is less interested in exercise.
In short no. You should never give your dog paracetamol or any other medication that is meant for humans to your dog.
Paracetamol is the generic name for a painkiller that contains the active ingredient called acetaminophen and is widely used in the UK to ease mild pain and lower slightly raised temperatures. It can be bought off the shelf in many places and does not need a prescription. This can lead to many people overlooking the potential risks that can accompany it’s incorrect use. Even in humans, taking too much paracetamol, either in one dose or over time, can be very dangerous and should only ever be taken in the recommended doses. It tends to get to work quickly and wear off within a couple of hours and only rarely cause side effects in Humans.
Paracetamol is sometimes prescribed for your dog however the dosages will reflect the weight of your best friend. Giving a 500mg tablet to a Miniature Poodle for example, could cause ill effects. It is unlikely to be fatal but could case damage to the liver and red blood cells so always better to be safe than sorry. Obviously here at My Best Friend Dog Care we focus on pets of the canine variety but we also have a furry feline named Charlie. Giving as little as a 250mg dose to a cat is very likely to be fatal!
Why You Should Never Give Paracetamol To Dogs
If you find yourself asking this question, you’re not alone. Nearly all dog owners want the best for their dog, after all, they’re mans best friend. Your dog may have hurt itself during the day and the pain is visible so you think I’ll just administer some paracetamol, or your dog may have done the very dog thing and eaten whatever it can get its mouth upon. Both of these lead to the question, is paracetamol safe for dogs? The short answer is No, paracetamol is not safe for dogs.
So now that you have the short answer, now it’s time for the long detailed one.