Can Dogs Take Aspirin for Arthritis Pain?

If your veterinarian has diagnosed your dog with degenrative joint disease or osteoarthritis, the pet will need periodic medication to relieve the pain and swelling associated with the disease. When reviewing possible pain medications, consider pet aspirin or low does of aspirin for human consumption.

What does aspirin do for dogs?
Since aspirin is an anti-inflammatory medication it reduces swelling and joint pain in the pet's knees, hips and other joints. A reduction in pain leads to more restful, recooperative sleep and less restricted mobility.

Although your pet may seem to feel like its old self after a few rounds of aspirin, don't let it get over exhausted. A rowdy play session or extended outing may be greeted with an increase in pain and swelling the next day.

What kind of aspirin can I give my dog?
Veterinarian clinics and large pet retail stores offer pet-specific aspirin. These over the counter medications have weight-based dosage instructions on the package label.

Dogs can safely consume uncoated tablets or powdered buffered aspirin labeled for human consumption. Twice a day a 60 to 80 lb. pet can have a 5-grain (325mg) aspirin pill or powdered equivalent. Dosages should be spaced 12 hours apart for maximum relief.

Administering the Medication
Feed the pet a small amount of food with the medication to reduce possible stomach upset. Pets that receive medication frequently may start to refuse their dosages. Trick the pet by mixing powdered aspirin in moist dog food or wrapping an aspirin tablet in a small piece of lunch meat.

If the pet has bloody stools, refuses to eat or vomits after taking aspirin, contact your veterinarian immediately. Aspirin can cause ulcers.

Making Aspirin More Effective
Combining gentle exercise -- a slow walk, not a run in the park -- with aspirin can improve an arthritic dog's enjoyment for life. Exercise helps the pet maintain a healthy weight, which puts less strain on his joints, according to the Placerville Veterinary Clinic in California.

Don't Administer Other Anti-inflammatory Drugs
While buffered aspirin is safe for dogs, other anti-inflammatory medications can make a pet seriously ill. Never give a dog naproxen, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. These pain relievers are toxic to dogs.

Related Articles:
Facts About Rimadyl, A Dog Pain Medication

How to Get Your Pet to Take Medicine or Vitamins

Sources and Suggested Further Reading:
Placerville Veterinary Clinic: Aspirin (Dogs Only)

Placerville Veterinary Clinic: Dog Arthritis

Vet Info: Administering Aspirin for Dog Arthritis with Care

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals: Canine Arthritis

Doctors Foster and Smith Pet Education: Non-Surgical Treatment of Arthritis

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