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Dogs are absolute love; they quickly become members of the family and everything in the house starts to revolve around them.
From what kind of sofa to buy to what kind of food to cook, it all depends on their matching. Some people say they care about their dog more than they do themselves because no one wants to see them suffer.
When they suffer from pain or disease, you want to ease their pain and treat them the same way we treat ourselves with painkillers like aspirin.
But it’s not that simple. Veterinarians give dogs aspirin when they are in pain or have an illness. Aspirin is given in doses and has side effects.
We will discuss and try to understand every detail of aspirin, its correct dosage for dogs and its side effects. Let’s start this chapter.
What is aspirin?
Aspirin is one of the most commonly used pain relievers. Aspirin is an NSAID or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. NSAIDs are very helpful in treating and reducing pain, inflammation, and fever.
Our bodies are very similar to animals; they produce enzymes called prostaglandins. When our bodies are affected by disease, illness, or injury, these prostaglandins cause inflammation in our body, which is necessary for the body to heal.
When inflammation occurs, it causes pain and often fever. Aspirin works by blocking compounds such as prostaglandins, which reduce inflammation, pain, and fever.
Aspirin for humans may differ from aspirin for dogs; therefore, you should be cautious and only take aspirin upon consultation with your veterinarian, and only in the prescribed dose.
Why do veterinarians prescribe aspirin to dogs?
Typically, it is recommended that aspirin doses be given to dogs only after consulting with a veterinarian.
There are several reasons. The first reason is that they know of an illness or problem with which your dog experiences pain and discomfort.
Second, they know what medications are needed, and they will recommend dosages for your dog, taking into account illness, weight, age, breed, and size.
Veterinarians prescribe aspirin to dogs with diseases or health problems such as osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal inflammation.
But not limited to this. Veterinarians give aspirin when they think the dog needs it, which may help relieve some of the pain. Aspirin is known to have side effects. Therefore, veterinarians are very cautious in recommending aspirin and only recommend it when they think it is appropriate.
How much aspirin should I give my dog?
It’s always good to ask, especially when it comes to medical and health related matters. If your veterinarian recommends aspirin, be sure to follow each instruction carefully and be aware of any side effects it may cause.
If you’re not sure how much aspirin to give your dog, don’t proceed without the correct information. Because the FDA has not approved aspirin for use in dogs, the exact value or dosage unit has not been determined through conclusive studies.
While some veterinary manuals recommend a dose of 10-40 mg/kg, the range will vary depending on the dog’s condition.
Dosage also depends on the type of aspirin you give your dog. Some veterinarians even prefer to give infant aspirin rather than adult aspirin because the lower dose of infant aspirin reduces the risk of overdose and side effects.
Avoid giving aspirin to puppies, as their systems have a hard time breaking down the drug. You can give your adult dog aspirin, but never on an empty stomach.
Always consult your veterinarian before giving your dog any kind of aspirin. After taking the medicine, watch for any side effects and take it if you are unsure.
Can human aspirin be used in dogs?
While your veterinarian can recommend baby aspirin for humans, aspirin made specifically for dogs is a better choice. There is a layer in human aspirin that prevents stomach upset from happening.
This layer is not suitable for dogs and prevents the desired result.
Recommended Aspirin Dosage for Dogs
Only a veterinarian can and should recommend the exact aspirin dosage for your dog. Below is a recommended chart that will give you the ground rules for giving aspirin to your dog.
It is not a guarantee of correct dosage and is not intended to be used as a substitute for veterinary prescription or advice.
First, consult your veterinarian to determine if aspirin is the ideal medication for your canine companion. Your veterinarian will prescribe a dosage based on your dog’s exact weight. The table below can be used as a general guide.
Aspirin for dogs (once or twice daily)
| weight | amount of aspirin | common dog breeds |
|---|---|---|
| ~5 lbs | 25-50 mg or infant half (low dose) aspirin | Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Chinese Crested |
| ~10 lbs | 50-100 mg or one infant (low dose) aspirin | Pekingese, Boston Terrier, Miniature Fox Terrier |
| ~20 lbs | 100-200 mg or half of an adult’s aspirin | Miniature Poodle, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, West Highland Terrier |
| ~30 lbs | 150-300 mg or half to an adult aspirin | Beagle, Cardigan Welsh Corgi, Border Collie |
| ~40 lbs | 200-400 mg or one adult aspirin | Samoyed, Vizsla, Shar Pei |
| ~50 lbs | 250-500 mg or one to one half adult aspirin | Spaniel, Portuguese Water Dog, Irish Setter |
| ~60 lbs | 300-600 mg or one to two adult aspirin | Staffordshire Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever |
| ~70 lbs | 350-700 mg or one to two adult aspirin | American Staffordshire Terrier, Chow Chow, Dalmatian |
| ~80 lbs | 400-800 mg or two adult aspirin | Akita, Cane Dog, Rottweiler |
| ~90 lbs | 450-900 mg or 1 to 1 1/2 to 2 to 1 2 adult aspirin | German Shepherd, Retriever, Chinook |
| ~100 lbs+ | 500-1000 mg or two to three adult aspirin | Bullmastiff, Great Dane, Saint Bernard |
The dog’s weight is the key to giving the correct dosage. As a general rule, 5 mg to 10 mg of aspirin per pound of dog body weight is recommended.
Your dog can take these doses every 12 hours as prescribed by our veterinarian. Also, remember that human aspirin is not intended for long-term use and should not be taken for more than 5 days.
Side Effects of Aspirin in Dogs
Despite its pain-relieving properties, it’s no surprise that aspirin poses health risks when taken long-term or inappropriately.
Side effects of aspirin for dogs can occur in large single doses or in small or multiple doses. Some major and common side effects are:
1. Ulcers and bleeding
As mentioned earlier, aspirin blocks the formation of prostaglandins to reduce inflammation and pain. These prostaglandins also protect the lining of your dog’s stomach and intestines.
Without prostaglandins, ulcers can form, a common side effect of aspirin. Continuing to take aspirin after an ulcer has developed can cause bleeding.
These aspirin side effects are discovered late and pose a major life risk.
2. Liver and kidney problems
Another major side effect of aspirin is liver and kidney damage. Dogs’ bodies function differently than humans.
A dog’s liver absorbs the toxins in aspirin and can detoxify it, but too much aspirin is often difficult to handle and can lead to liver failure.
Prostaglandins help to circulate blood to the dog’s kidneys. Aspirin blocks prostaglandins and reduces blood flow to the kidneys, making it useful in treating kidney failure.
You should have your dog checked by a veterinarian immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- nausea
- aspirin allergy
- loss of appetite
- Vomit
- diarrhea
- Mucosa erosion
- ulcer
- black, tar-like stool
- Skin allergies
In most cases, your dog will be fine with the aspirin prescribed by your veterinarian. Side effects are a risk and people should be aware of this, as early detection of such symptoms can save lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer is as little as possible. But always check with your veterinarian before giving your dog any medication, as they may not need any.
within the limited time possible. Do not continue to give the dog aspirin for several days or more in a row, as each time the dog takes aspirin, some residue is left in the system. The more it remains in the body, the more damage it can cause.
Yes, there are many alternatives to aspirin, and you can try other medications and even home remedies to treat your dog, but be sure to consult your veterinarian for effective treatment.
in conclusion
It is heartbreaking to see your dog in pain, so I tried to share some insight into what aspirin is, how it works for pain relief, how it is administered, its side effects in dogs, and the types and dosage schedules of aspirin.
If your canine companion is in pain, by all means see the vet, and let me know what other topics you’d like me to cover.
Dr. Lillian is a DVM passionate about raising awareness for dogs. She shares her expertise through her blog at canineweekly.com and provides animal care services including internal medicine, dermatology, and emergency care. Dr. Lillian is dedicated to contributing to animal welfare.
