1 adult aspirin/40 pounds body weight given every 12 hours. Do not exceed 2 tablets for any dog.
There are two sizes of aspirin available for use in dogs, adult aspirin (325 mg) and low dose aspirin (81 mg). It is recommended to give buffered aspirin if possible.
Can I Give My Dog Baby Aspirin?
This is a common question. Before you do decide to give your dog baby aspirin, consider this statement by Paracelsus, a 15th century Australian physician/alchemist, “What is there that is not a poison? All things are poisonous; the dose determines that a thing is not a poison.”1
The reality is all drugs have the potential to be life-threatening if used improperly or in the wrong dose. Here we discuss the dangers of giving dogs medications that are formulated for humans and provide you with facts so you can answer this question for yourself.
Its always wise to get the vet to answer your questions about pain relief for your pet.
Baby aspirin is one of a group of drugs classified as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), which are used to relieve pain and to reduce inflammation. One baby aspirin tablet contains 81 mg. of aspirin, while one aspirin tablet contains 325 mg. of aspirin.
Dogs and humans metabolize drugs differently. An 81 mg. dose of aspirin is not eliminated from the dog’s body as quickly as it is from the humans, so there is a greater risk of the drug accumulating in an organ like the kidney and leading to toxicity. According to a report in the Merck Veterinary Manual, “the elimination half-life of aspirin in dogs is 7.5 hours.”2
Factors like the size of the dog, the weight, the age, and the overall health contribute to the risk factors. For instance, one baby aspirin tablet does not have the same effect on a Saint Bernard as it does on a Chihuahua.
Your vet considers all these factors and rules out other diseases before he or she decides to use a NSAID as a treatment for pain. Because he or she is acquainted with your pets total health history and state of health, they are in the best position to decide upon the appropriate treatment and dosage amounts.
The Merck Veterinary Manual states, “Gastric ulcers were seen by day 30 in 66% of dogs given aspirin at 35 mg/kg, PO, TID.”3
Gastric ulcers and kidney failure are the most common adverse side effects of NSAID toxicity in canines. Symptoms of aspirin toxicity include but are not limited to diarrhea, vomiting, bloody stools, seizures, or death.
What causes aspirin poisoning?
Aspirin and other NSAIDs act by blocking certain chemical processes in the body that cause inflammation. Unfortunately, these chemical processes are also important in maintaining normal gastrointestinal, kidney, liver, and blood clotting functions.
FAQ
What happens if a dog eats an 81 mg aspirin?
How much 81 mg aspirin can I give my dog?
Can a baby aspirin hurt a dog?
Can you give a 10 lb dog a 81 mg aspirin?
One dosage of aspirin for dogs should be given once or twice daily. Your vet will give you a recommended dosage, but here’s the average aspirin dose for dogs based on weight: 0 – 5 pounds: 25 – 50 mg. 5 – 10 pounds: 50 – 100 mg.