If your dog is in pain or has swelling and inflammation from a chronic condition, you can help it to manage the pain. Tylenol, which is often used in place of aspirin, cannot be given to your dog. Tylenol can actually be harmful to dogs. If your vet has prescribed aspirin, remember that aspirin and Tylenol are not interchangeable. A dog can take aspirin for pain, but not Tylenol.
Things You'll Need
- Aspirin
Instructions
Call your vet. Ensure that the pain your dog is feeling is something that can be treated with aspirin and not a sign of something worse happening. The vet will also be able to tell you if a condition that your dog has will be affected by taking aspirin.
Weigh your dog. Aspirin needs to be dosed in an amount of no more than 30 milligrams per pound of dog. For instance, if your dog is 10 pounds, then it can take up to 300 milligrams. However, most vets suggest not using more than 5 milligrams per pound of dog in a 12-hour period. For instance, for that 10-pound dog, no more than 50 milligrams per 12 hours.
Feed your dog the aspirin. A baby aspirin is typically 80 milligrams, so a 10-pound dog would need a little more than half an aspirin a day. Split the aspirin into the proper size using a knife. Choose whether you want to do half of the dose twice a day or a full dose once a day.
Adjust the amount of aspirin depending on pain that you see in your dog. While 5 milligrams per pound of dog can help, some dogs may require more. Up the amount you give by an additional 5 milligrams per pound. For example, the 10-pound dog would receive 100 milligrams in a 12-hour period. You can go as high as 30 milligrams per pound if the dog seems to need it.