Jan 08 2009
Cautions for Giving Aspirin to a Dog
Is Aspirin Safe for Dogs?
“Can I give aspirin to my dog for pain?”
“Is it okay to give my dog aspirin after a surgery?”
“Does asprin have any side effects for dogs?”
“Can you give aspirin to a cat?”
A dog who is in pain due to arthritis or an injury may benefit from a dosage of aspirin, but it’s important for dog owners to be cautious when giving over-the-counter medications to a dog.
Aspirin Side Effects to Dogs
Aspirin, like all drugs, has its dangers. Dog owners should read the following cautions before giving aspirin to a dog.
* Don’t Give Aspirin to Dogs Who With Open Wounds or Bruises. Aspirin thins the blood, so if you give aspirin to a dog who has been bleeding from a cut or surgical site, this can cause uncontrolled blood loss. Bruising is bleeding under the skin, and therefore dog owners should not give aspirin to a dog with bruising as the aspirin can thin the blood and bleeding will resume.
* Always Give Aspirin With Food. Buffered aspirin is designed to be easier on the dog’s stomach, but some dogs will still experience upset stomach and vomiting when given buffered aspirin. Regular use of aspirin can also worsen a dog’s stomach ulcer if given without food. So avoid any potential problems and give a dose of aspirin to your dog with his normal meal or with a piece of bread.
* Check For Other Drug Interactions. Always check with your veterinarian before giving aspirin or any other over-the counter medications to a dog, cat or other pet. Your pet may be on another medication that will interact with aspirin. Other dogs have conditions - like stomach ulcers - that make using aspirin dangerous. The last thing you want is to get your dog even sicker and more uncomfortable than when he started!
Dangers of Over-the-Counter Medications to Pets
Dog owners should remember that other over-the-counter pain medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen are deadly to dogs. Never give a dog Tylenol, Aleve or any other pain medication!
Pet owners must also remember that just because an over-the-counter medication is safe for a dog, that does not mean that the medication is safe for cats. Aspirin is deadly to cats! Never give aspirin to your cat!
Notably, medications were named as one of the most common pet toxins in 2008, according to the ASPCA’s Pet Poison Control Center’s List of Top 10 Pet Poisons.
To avoid accidental poisoning of cats and dogs, pet owners should always check with a veterinarian before giving any “human medication” to pets. It’s also important to know what over-the-counter medications are safe for pets.
For more information on toxic foods for pets and toxic plants for pets, check out the Pet Poison Page!
