Why Giving Your Dog Paracetamol Is Dangerous – Safe Alternatives Explained

Table of Contents

• 1 The actual effects of paracetamol on the dog!
• 2 Other drugs are prohibited for doggies.
• 3 What if my dog has consumed paracetamol?
• 4 What if he ingested ibuprofen or aspirin?
• 5 So what medication should I give my dog?
• 6 As examples, here are some treatments that can effectively relieve pain in dogs:
• 7 Conclusion

Paracetamol is an analgesic very often used to calm pain and reduce fever in humans. But is it a good idea to give it to a dog?

Also called “acetaminophen,” paracetamol is a molecule with analgesic and antipyretic properties (against pain and fever).

Globally, it is the most widely used drug in humans to treat mild to moderate intensity symptoms.

At home, if your dog seems feverish or seems to be in pain, perhaps you are tempted to give him a paracetamol tablet to relieve him… as you would for yourself. Practical at first glance, this solution is often tempting. However, this is a bad idea!

Indeed, at low doses (that is to say, less than 10 mg/kg of the total weight of your dog, at most twice a day), this molecule can effectively calm his ailments. But it largely depends on the sensitivity of the doggie, and the effects of paracetamol on his body can prove to be much more harmful than beneficial.

The actual effects of paracetamol on the dog!

In practice, paracetamol is metabolized by the body using enzymes present in the liver. However, unlike humans, dogs have very few of these liver enzymes. Their body, therefore, has much more difficulty in assimilating paracetamol. It then accumulates in the liver, destroying its cells in the process and altering the blood.

Consequently, paracetamol becomes toxic for the doggie from a particular dose consumed, this amount remaining relatively small. Note also that the overdose is very rapid in small dogs.

Concretely, in most canines, intoxication occurs when the ingested dose exceeds the following thresholds:

Beyond 100 mg/kg, paracetamol accumulates in the liver and becomes toxic for it (we then speak of “hepato-toxicity”). The dog then feels abdominal pain and saliva enormously.

If the dose exceeds 200 mg/kg, paracetamol oxidizes the blood by gradually transforming hemoglobin in red blood cells. This methemoglobinemia then prevents the blood from properly transporting oxygen in the body. It causes adverse effects in the doggie, such as vomiting, prostration, anemia, convulsions, edema, hypothermia, etc.

Thus, a poorly controlled paracetamol intake can prove to be fatal for the dog. Particularly in puppies and in adults who suffer from liver problems, this drug should therefore be banned.

Other drugs are prohibited for doggies.

Paracetamol is not the only painkiller that is dangerous for dogs … When you suffer from headaches, fever, or other pains, you may be used to taking aspirin (Aspirin UPSA®, Aspégic ®) or ibuprofen (Nurofen®, Advil®), instead of paracetamol. In dogs, these drugs should also be banned!

These molecules cause just as much poisoning as paracetamol. Aspirin (or “acetylsalicylic acid”) and ibuprofen have anti-inflammatory properties, which are toxic to the mucous membranes of the digestive system. Depending on the doses ingested and your puppy’s sensitivity, the harmful effects on its stomach, intestines, and even its kidneys can be severe. The clotting of its blood can also be dangerously disturbed.

If ibuprofen or aspirin is ingested, your dog may exhibit the following symptoms: loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, digestive bleeding, pale mucous membranes, etc.

Finally, human analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin) and their derivatives are toxic to dogs. You should, therefore, never give it to your companion! It is best to avoid self-medication and consult your veterinarian to reduce the risk of accidents.

What if my dog has consumed paracetamol?

Contact your veterinarian urgently if your dog has ingested (accidentally or the following self-medication) more than 100 mg/kg of paracetamol. He will give you the necessary instructions.

During the first hour, the ideal will be to make your companion vomit so that he directly eliminates the majority of the medicine. If necessary, your veterinarian can then give him activated charcoal to counter the molecule’s effects or even administer an antidote (generally acetylcysteine and vitamin C). Here again, no self-medication!

Finally, depending on the condition of your doggie, hospitalization may be necessary. It will then be infused and re-oxygenated or even transfused.

What if he ingested ibuprofen or aspirin?

Note that there is no antidote or treatment for aspirin or ibuprofen poisoning. If your dog has consumed too much of it, your veterinarian can only purge his body to rid him of the molecules and preserve his vital functions during hospitalization.

So what medication should I give my dog?

If your dog has pain or a fever, the first tip is to avoid self-medication! Don’t give human treatment to your puppy, nor any medicine intended for another animal (for your cat, for example). The dog’s body has specific needs and therefore requires appropriate medication.

As examples, here are some treatments that can effectively relieve pain in dogs:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: piroxicam, ketoprofen, meloxicam, carprofen, flunixin, robenacoxib, etc.

Opioids (administered only by a veterinarian): morphine, butorphanol, fentanyl, buprenorphine, etc.

Sedative analgesics (muscle relaxants): alpha2-agonists.

Anesthetics: bupivacaine, lidocaine, ketamine, etc.

Of course, only a veterinarian can prescribe the proper medication for your pet. Then, for best results, be sure to stick to the prescribed doses.

Finally, to avoid accidents, store all medications out of reach of your four-legged friend!

Conclusion

To put it simply, do not give your human-dog painkillers, as they can lead to severe poisoning! As a replacement, there are drugs specially designed for the organism of doggies. It is best to seek advice from your veterinarian.

Do not be reluctant to research the various mutual insurance firms for dogs. This kind of insurance could help you reduce your vet’s fees so that you don’t have to be caught by surprise if your pet becomes sick.