Dogs are your best friends, without any doubt. They are the most loyal buddies that you can ever have.
If you ever notice strange behavior in your dog, it might be due to some kind of pain.As a pet owner, seeing your pet in distress is one of the most difficult times. If their distress is due to pain, the worse thing is that dogs usually try to hide their pain and hurt themselves until you know what they’re going through.
As such, knowing what to do or answering “What can I give my dog for pain?” is essential.
You can find different sorts of cures online or friends can recommend several pain relievers, but not all remedies are effective.
Also, some medications or remedies might not even be safe for your dog, leading to adverse effects and death.
Additionally, pain relievers recommended for dogs should be given at a proper dose.
With that said, let’s learn about the several symptoms of dog pain, as well as the medications you can and cannot give your dog.
How Would I Know if My Dog Is in Pain?
It’s in the instincts of your dog to hide their pain, so if you ever find out that your dog is not behaving like itself, there must be something wrong.
By the time your dogs start to show their distress, they might have suffered a lot already.
As a dog parent, if you want to help your pup, you first need to know if it is in pain or not.
The good thing is that dog owners don’t have to master the ability to read their pet’s mind; just some signs are enough to let them know if their pet is in pain.
Symptoms of Pain
Here is a quick list of symptoms that can help you identify if there is an issue with your dog and if there is any need for medications or other remedies.
1. Low Energy Level
Just like humans, dogs also lose energy when in pain.
You can find out these symptoms by comparing their current condition to their normal energy level.
2. Loss of Appetite
Your dogs may lose their appetite while facing a health issue or suffering from pain.
If you ever notice that your loyal buddy isn’t eating like normal, it might be due to pain.
3. Biting Themselves or Others
If your dog is annoyed by the presence of someone near them and tries to bite them, it might be suffering from pain.
In case you notice your pup nipping at themselves or others when they usually are lovable and sweet, you need to be concerned about it.
4. Making Weird Sounds
Dogs whine, groan, or howl when they are experiencing pain.
Does your dog keep you up all night with its whimpering and vocalization?
You might need to find out the reason for their discomfort.
5. Swelling
The most noticeable symptom of distress is swelling.
Always keep an eye on the body of your pup.
6. Saggy Tail
The tail tells the story. If your pup keeps its tail upright and now it’s a bit saggy, the reason might be some kind of pain.
Take good care of your dog and show your pets that you love them to bring their energy back.
7. Sick Bloodshot Eyes
Dogs experiencing pain will have sick and red eyes.
The dilated pupils and loopy look might be a symptom of pain.
What Can I Give My Dog for Pain
After finding out that your four-legged best friend is in pain, you might need to take it to the veterinarian.
Not getting proper treatment can even kill your dog, so make sure you take good care of them.
The Definite No’s
Before finding out what to do, you must know what not to do.
Don’t think that the meds that can treat you will have a similar effect to your dog.
That said, never give them the following:
- Naproxen: It’s a great way to treat humans, but can be extremely dangerous to your dog.
- Ibuprofen: This is a pain relief med for humans, found in Advil and Nuprin, but certainly not for dogs.
- Acetaminophen: This OTC med can be fatal to your fur baby.
- Tylenol: This can be lethal to your dog.
The Meds You Can Give
NSAIDs are Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs that help in reducing pain and swelling for humans.
They can perform the same function for your dog if you give them the right NSAID.
Thus, you must consult a professional to know what you can treat your pet with.
Don’t just pop out your NSAIDs from the cabinet and give it to your dog.
There are special NSAIDs that work perfectly for dogs, such as:
- Metacam
- Carprofen
- Deramaxx
- Firocoxib
Other than NSAIDs, the vet might prescribe other medications like tramadol or gabapentin to kill the pain and relieve your pup.
When to Stop Giving NSAIDs to Your Dog?
Usually, NSAIDs are safe to help relieve your dog’s pain, but they might have some severe side effects.
To tell if your dog is reacting badly to them, the word BEST can help you remember the signs easily.
- Behavioral changes
- Eating problems
- Skin problems
- Tarry feces
Stop giving NSAIDs to your dog and visit the veterinarian if you ever find any of the symptoms mentioned above.
Side Effects of NSAIDs
Here are some possible side effects of NSAIDs when used wrongly or too much:
- Laziness
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Liver problems
- Severe intestinal complications
- Ulcers in the GI tract
- Kidney failure
- Lethality
Conclusion
So, what can I give my dog for pain?
If you ever notice that your pet is a little off, it might be something to be concerned about.
If you notice symptoms that may indicate that your dog is in pain, never treat them with the meds that work perfectly for you since they can be lethal to your dog.
The first thing you should do is to call the vet and discuss the symptoms.
Your veterinarian might recommend some supplements for your dog or prescribe the right pain medications.
