What Can I Give My Dog for Pain? A UK Owner's Guide

The short answer

If your dog seems to be in pain, the safest thing you can give them is a vet appointment. Please don’t reach for the bathroom cabinet. Common human painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, aspirin and naproxen can all cause serious harm to dogs, even in amounts that seem small. Some are toxic at doses that wouldn’t trouble a person.

That doesn’t mean you’re helpless. Vets have a range of dog-specific pain medicines that are safe and effective when used properly, and there’s a lot you can do at home to make your dog more comfortable alongside them. Pain in dogs is also very treatable. Many dogs with arthritis, for example, go from stiff and miserable to bounding about again once they have the right plan.

This article can’t tell you what is causing your dog’s pain or which medicine suits them. Only a vet who has examined your dog can do that. What it can do is explain your options so you go into that conversation prepared.

Why human painkillers are so risky for dogs

Dogs process medicines differently from us. Their livers and kidneys handle drugs in different ways, and their stomachs can be very sensitive to certain ingredients.

• Ibuprofen and naproxen belong to a group called NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories). In dogs they can cause stomach ulcers, bleeding and kidney failure. Sometimes this happens after a single dose.
• Aspirin is sometimes mentioned in older advice, but it’s not a safe do-it-yourself option. It can irritate the stomach lining, affect blood clotting and cause problems if your dog is already on another medicine.
• Paracetamol can damage a dog’s liver and affect the blood’s ability to carry oxygen. A licensed veterinary product containing paracetamol does exist, but it’s prescribed in carefully calculated amounts. That’s a very different thing from giving them a tablet from your own packet.

Two more traps catch people out. First, even a dog-safe anti-inflammatory can become dangerous if you add a human one on top, or switch between them without a gap. Vets usually need to leave a washout period between different NSAIDs. Second, you can’t rely on the dose you’d give a child or a small adult. Dogs vary enormously in size, and there’s no safe rule of thumb for owners to apply.

If your dog has already swallowed human painkillers, or you suspect they’ve got into a packet, ring your vet or out-of-hours service straight away. Don’t wait for symptoms to appear and don’t try to make your dog sick unless a vet tells you to. The Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) provides advice to vets, so your practice can get specialist guidance quickly.

Signs your dog may be in pain

Dogs are very good at hiding discomfort. It’s an old survival instinct, so many owners only notice once the pain has been going on for a while. Often the clues are changes in behaviour rather than crying out.

Look out for:

• Stiffness after rest, especially first thing in the morning or after a nap
• Reluctance to jump into the car, onto the sofa or up the stairs
• Limping, or holding up a paw
• Licking or chewing at one spot, such as a joint or paw
• Panting or restlessness when your dog isn’t hot or excited
• Becoming quiet, withdrawn or clingier than usual
• Snapping or growling when touched or approached, when that’s out of character
• Hunching, a tucked-up posture or a stiff, careful way of walking
• Eating less, or having trouble getting comfortable to sleep

Older dogs are a classic example. Owners often put slowing down on walks or sleeping more down to age, when really it’s arthritis. It’s worth remembering that old age isn’t a disease, and a dog who is “just getting old” may well be a dog in pain who could feel much better.

Pain can also come from places you wouldn’t expect, such as the teeth, ears, back, abdomen or anal glands. A dog who suddenly won’t eat hard food, shakes their head or yelps when picked up needs checking, even if there’s no limp.

What your vet may offer

The right treatment depends on the cause and on your dog’s age, size and general health. Your vet will usually want to examine your dog, ask about their history and sometimes run blood tests, especially before starting long-term medication. Here are the main options you might hear about.

Dog-specific anti-inflammatories

Veterinary NSAIDs are the mainstay for pain from arthritis, injuries and after surgery. They’re licensed for dogs and generally work well, but they’re not suitable for every dog. Dogs with kidney, liver or stomach problems, or those on certain other medicines, may need a different approach. If your dog is on long-term NSAIDs, your vet will normally want to see them regularly and may suggest periodic blood tests to keep an eye on things. Always give them with food if the label says so and report any vomiting, diarrhoea, black stools or loss of appetite promptly.

Other prescription pain relief

Some dogs need a different or additional medicine. Vets may use drugs such as gabapentin, which helps with nerve-related pain, or stronger painkillers for short-term use after surgery or injury. There’s also a newer type of treatment for osteoarthritis: a monthly injection that uses an antibody to block a pain signal. It may suit some dogs, particularly those who can’t take NSAIDs, though your vet will talk you through the pros and cons for your individual dog.

Supplements and special diets

Joint supplements are everywhere, and the evidence for them is mixed. Ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oil) have reasonable support for helping with arthritis, and some dogs seem to benefit from others such as green-lipped mussel. Supplements are usually seen as an extra rather than a replacement for proper pain relief. Prescription joint diets can be useful for some dogs. Quality varies, so ask your vet which product they’d trust rather than buying the most expensive tub on the shelf.

CBD products are heavily marketed for dogs, but they’re not licensed as veterinary pain treatments in the UK and the quality of what’s on sale varies widely. Talk to your vet before trying anything like that, particularly if your dog is on other medicines.

Physiotherapy and other therapies

Veterinary physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and sometimes acupuncture or laser therapy can all help, particularly for arthritis, after surgery or with back problems. These work best when your vet refers you to a properly qualified practitioner, because the right exercises depend on the exact diagnosis. Your vet can also tell you whether physio would suit your dog at all.

What you can do at home

Medicine is only part of the picture. Small changes around the house often make a big difference to a dog in pain, and many cost very little.

Keep your dog lean

Extra weight puts more strain on sore joints, and it’s one of the few things in arthritis care where you can make a real difference yourself. Even modest weight loss can noticeably improve how a dog moves. Ask your vet or practice nurse to help you set a target and a feeding plan, rather than just cutting food at random.

Adjust exercise, don’t stop it

Complete rest isn’t usually the answer for chronic joint pain, as muscles weaken and joints get stiffer. Instead, try shorter, more regular walks on steady ground in place of one long march. Avoid lots of ball-chasing, sharp turns and big leaps, which are hard on sore joints. After an injury or surgery, follow your vet’s exercise instructions to the letter, even if your dog seems much brighter.

Make the house easier

• Put non-slip rugs or mats on laminate, tiles and wooden floors
• Use a ramp for the car and consider steps for the sofa or bed
• Provide a thick, supportive bed away from draughts
• Raise food and water bowls slightly if your dog finds bending uncomfortable, if your vet agrees
• Keep nails trimmed so your dog’s feet grip properly

Handle with care

A dog in pain may react when touched, even if they’d never normally bite. Move slowly, support their back end when lifting and avoid prodding the sore area to “see if it hurts”. Children especially need reminding to give a poorly dog space.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Giving a leftover prescription from a previous pet or from an earlier problem. The dose and the medicine may no longer be right.
• Carrying on with a medicine because your dog seems better, or stopping it suddenly because they seem fine, without checking with your vet.
• Assuming a dog who is still eating and wagging their tail can’t be hurting. Many dogs carry on cheerfully through quite significant pain.
• Leaving it “to see how things go” for weeks. Early treatment is nearly always easier and kinder.

When to ring your vet urgently

Some pain can’t wait for a routine appointment. Contact your vet or out-of-hours service straight away if your dog:

• Is crying out, can’t get comfortable or won’t let you touch them
• Has a swollen, hard or tight belly, especially with retching or restlessness
• Can’t put any weight on a leg, or has a leg at an odd angle after a fall or accident
• Has suddenly lost the use of their back legs, or is dragging them
• Has pale gums, collapses, or is struggling to breathe
• Has been hit by a car, even if they seem fine afterwards
• Has swallowed a human medicine, poison or something that could be causing an obstruction
• Is vomiting repeatedly, or can’t keep water down

If you’re unsure, ringing is never a waste of time. Practices are used to these calls and can tell you whether your dog needs to be seen straight away. Keep the number of your out-of-hours provider somewhere easy to find.

Common questions

Can I give my dog paracetamol or ibuprofen if the vet is closed?

No. Both can be dangerous to dogs, and ibuprofen in particular can cause serious stomach and kidney damage. If your dog is in pain out of hours, ring your practice’s emergency number. They’ll either advise you or arrange for your dog to be seen.

Is there a natural painkiller I can use?

No supplement or herbal product replaces proper veterinary pain relief for a dog in real discomfort. Some, like omega-3 fish oils, may help as part of a wider plan for arthritis, and your vet can guide you. “Natural” doesn’t automatically mean safe either, as some herbs and oils can be harmful to dogs.

How do I know if my dog’s arthritis is getting worse?

Watch for more stiffness, a shorter distance before they tire, struggling with stairs or getting up, or changes in mood. Filming your dog walking and getting up can help your vet see what you’re seeing, because many dogs behave differently in the consulting room.

Are dog painkillers safe for long-term use?

Many dogs take them for years without trouble, but they need monitoring. Your vet will usually recheck your dog regularly and may suggest blood tests, adjusting the plan as your dog’s needs change. Never change the amount yourself.

Can I use a heat or cold pack on my dog?

Sometimes, but the right choice depends on the problem, and both can cause harm if used wrongly, for example by burning or chilling the skin. Ask your vet to show you what’s suitable for your dog’s condition.

Sources and further reading

• PDSA: Arthritis in dogs
• Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS)
• RCVS: Find a vet
• PDSA: pet health advice
• Blue Cross: dog advice
• Dogs Trust: dog care advice

This article is general information for dog owners and isn’t a substitute for a veterinary examination. If you’re worried about your dog’s pain, speak to your own vet.