For minor aches and pains, humans have multiple over-the-counter analgesics at our disposal. For our canine friends, analgesics available without prescription from a veterinarian are generally limited to only plain aspirin. While aspirin is relatively safe for dogs, it should be used cautiously because of the damage it can do to the dog's stomach---just as in humans.
Things You'll Need
- Scales
- Aspirin
- Peanut butter
Instructions
Purchase aspirin for your dog. Ensure that the product you are buying is plain aspirin. Ingredients in other over-the-counter analgesics can be toxic to your dog.
Weigh your dog. If your dog is large and you don't have scales large enough for this purpose at home, ask your veterinarian if you can bring your pet in and use the clinic's scales.
Measure out 5 to 15 mg of aspirin for every pound your dog weighs. For example, if your dog weighs 50 pounds, you could give the pet as much as 750 mg of aspirin. But it would be best to start with lower dosages to see if they are effective.
Roll the pills in peanut butter and most dogs will take them as a treat. The peanut butter will also provide a bit of a buffer for your dog's stomach.
Repeat the medication in 12 hours if necessary.