Ibuprofen in Dogs

Dogs aren't like humans — many of the medications we use are highly toxic to them. That's why it's important to never give any medication that hasn't been specifically prescribed by a vet.

Can a Dog Take Ibuprofen?

Yes, a dog can take ibuprofen, but in a very tightly controlled amount, always prescribed by a vet and under their strict supervision. The problem with ibuprofen is that dogs only tolerate really small amounts, and that depends on their weight.

A person with no veterinary training will never get the correct dose right, seriously endangering their dog's health. Ibuprofen can kill your dog within days if given incorrectly, and can even put it into a coma with the first dose.

There are many alternatives just as effective as ibuprofen for treating pain and inflammation that aren't harmful to dogs. We won't give names, since we don't want anyone "experimenting" on their dog — it should be the vet who prescribes them and indicates the amount to give.

What Other Medications Are Toxic for Dogs?

Without going any further, most medications prescribed to humans are toxic to varying degrees for dogs. This means you might not kill your dog in a day, but you could damage its kidneys or induce a coma.

Acetaminophen is just as toxic for dogs as, for example, aspirin; Nolotil is also harmful, and in general, any type of anti-inflammatory, which can damage the dog's internal organs in the short term, if it doesn't die first from an overdose.

Can I Medicate My Dog Without Seeing the Vet?

No, no, and absolutely not. Having a dog means having a responsibility toward it, an enormous responsibility, the same as having a child. Would you give your child the first thing that comes to mind if it got sick? The same goes for dogs.

If your dog looks sick, you might think giving it this or that could help, but in reality, more than helping it, you could make it worse. Vets diagnose the dog after a thorough exam — they're medical professionals, so let them, and only them, be the ones who prescribe medications to your dog.