Can I Give Human Painkillers To Pets?

You should never give human painkillers to pets as they are designed and formulated for human use. This means to use human medicine for an animal can have extreme – and even fatal – side effects.

As pet owners, it can be heartbreaking to see our furry friends in pain, and it’s only natural to want to help ease their suffering. After all, when people are in pain, it’s easy to offer up a spare couple of tablets here or there to help ease that headache or stomach pain, so why can’t we do the same with our pets? 

Regrettably, this is a common misconception and a number of pets are poisoned annually as a result. Our pets have different biologies and are different sizes, meaning human painkillers can have deadly consequences when not consulted by veterinary professionals.

Why You Should Never Give Paracetamol to Pets

Paracetamol is widely used by people across the world to relieve pain and treat fevers and is available to buy without a prescription at pretty much every supermarket or store that stocks health and beauty products.  With this in mind, it can be very tempting to give some to your pet when they’re suffering to help lessen their discomfort. That doesn’t mean you should. 

Human anatomy and that of pets are vastly different, and what is harmless to us can be incredibly toxic for them. Much like how we can eat as much chocolate as our heart desires, but to dogs, it is toxic.

If you are not specifically told by your vet and given a prescription for human medicines, painkillers or otherwise, you should never give them to your pet as they won't work for them the same they will for humans and the results can be devastating. 

If your pet needs pain relief, your vet will evaluate their needs and prescribe a painkiller that is safe for them to use and the appropriate dosage and amount for their treatment. You should always follow your vet's advice when it comes to medication for your pet.

Can I Give My Dog Paracetamol?

Giving paracetamol or any other human-intended medicine when not strictly specified by a veterinary professional, can lead to you poisoning your pet and may also prove fatal. Under certain circumstances, a vet may prescribe paracetamol to dogs. Dogs, however, require different doses than humans and, therefore, giving dogs human paracetamol doses can be extremely toxic. Moreover, some human paracetamol contains additives e.g, artificial sweeteners, that may also be poisonous to dogs. 

Dogs need upwards of 250mg per kg for a lethal dose, although this can vary depending on breed and other individual factors. A 100-150mg per kg dose is enough to cause symptoms of poisoning, so while they are less sensitive to the drug than cats, it doesn’t mean it’s alright to give it to them. 

Not only can they cause severe side effects, but drugs that are intended for human use also won't work the same way in animals with regards to the time frame and kind of relief offered. When used in humans, paracetamol can keep working for up to five hours, but if given to a dog, it would only be effective for 1.5 hours which means it is terribly easy to end up giving them too much and cause poisoning or death.

Can I Give My Cat Paracetamol?

You should never give cats paracetamol as they do not possess the proteins in their livers required for safely metabolising paracetamol. Resultingly, toxic compounds can form in their bodies which causes irreversible damage to their red blood cells and causes methemoglobinemia which stifles the oxygenation of bodily tissues. Paracetamol is far more toxic to cats than it is to dogs. In cats, it would only take a 75mg dose of paracetamol per kg to cause a fatal reaction, and 20mg per kg can cause severe poisoning symptoms.

Will Vets Prescribe Paracetamol for Pets? 

In some cases, a vet may prescribe acetaminophen ( paracetamol) for your dog, especially if other registered veterinary painkillers can’t be used. This might be the case with dogs suffering severe renal failure or dogs who are pregnant. That said, your vet will be the one to prescribe the medication and the dosage and advise you on how to administer the treatment. 

A vet will never prescribe acetaminophen for cats and under no circumstance should a cat be given paracetamol of any kind. 

Can I give Ibuprofen to my Pet?

You should never give Ibuprofen to your pet under any circumstances. Ibuprofen is a commonly available painkiller for humans used to treat inflammation and pain, but is not suitable for pets and can be toxic to both dogs and cats. Just one 200mg Ibruprofen tablet is enough to cause a rapid toxic reaction in a cat or small dog which can seriously damage their liver and kidneys. 

If your pet is suffering from pain or inflammation, speak with your vet who will prescribe the appropriate medication for them. 

Can I give Ibuprofen to my Pet?

As with other human painkillers, aspirin should never be given to your pet without strict instruction from your vet. Aspirin should never be given to cats or puppies in particular as they do not have the necessary enzymes to process this medication in their body and can quickly cause poisoning symptoms. 

Even if you have been prescribed aspirin for your adult dog, you must only give the dosage as stated by your vet. Human medications do not have the same effect on pets as they do on humans, and a single 320mg Aspirin tablet can be toxic to a 5kg dog and even cause stomach ulcers if given without food. 

When giving medication to your pet, always follow your vet's guidance.

Pet Painkillers 

If your pet is suffering from a condition that causes them pain, or they have undergone surgery or have an injury, they may well need some form of pain relief. This will be decided and prescribed for your pet by your veterinarian and you should never take your pet’s treatment into your own hands. There are plenty of FDA-approved pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs (often referred to as NSAIDs) that are intended for use in pets making them safe to use. Don’t put your pet’s health at risk by trying to give them human painkillers or other medication as it will likely cause more harm than good to your pet. 

What to do if Your Pet Accidentally Ingests Human Medicine

Accidents happen, and when you have a pet in your home, there’s always the chance they’re going to get into things they shouldn’t, including your medication. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any form of human medicine, whether prescription or otherwise, you should contact your vet immediately or call the 24-hour Animal Poison Line for advice on what to do. The sooner you get your pet help, the better off your pet will be.

Symptoms of Toxic Pet Reactions to Human Painkillers

If you suspect your pet has ingested human painkillers, you should contact a vet straight away. Symptoms of toxic reaction or overdose include:

• Vomiting 
• Shortness of breath
• Lethargy
• Depression 
• Lack of appetite
• Black, tarry faeces 

In any event, if your pet has consumed non-prescribed medication or the medication has been ingested in the incorrect dose, you should immediately contact your vet.

Safely Storing Medicine 

To help prevent your pet from accidentally ingesting any form of human medicine, it’s important that you safely store any tablets and capsules in your home where your pet and any children can’t get at them. Where in your home this is will depend on the medication's individual storage instructions, but usually, medicines should be stored in a cool dry place such as a cupboard or drawer away from any sinks, stoves or other hot appliances. Make sure wherever you choose to keep your medication is out of reach of any children or animals, or at least inaccessible to them to avoid any accidents. 

When it comes to pet medications and painkillers, it’s essential that you listen to the advice of your veterinarian and don’t try to take matters into your own hands. While it can be difficult to know your pet is suffering, their safety must be your top priority. If you are concerned about your pet being in pain, always consult your vet for further advice and to voice your concerns. Only ever give your pet medications that have been prescribed specifically for them. 

At Pet Drugs Online, your pet’s safety always comes first. If you would like to understand more about ordering your pet prescriptions online and the safety checks involved, please get in touch, so we can help put your mind at ease. 

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.