If you’re wondering can dogs take Tylenol, the answer is no. Tylenol contains acetaminophen. While people take it for moderate pain and fever reduction, it’s not an anti-inflammatory and won’t help with dog’s inflammation. Aspirin and other pain relievers like ibuprofen and naproxen are also not safe for dogs. Acetaminophen blocks COX enzymes that form prostaglandins which trigger pain and inflammation.
But sometimes the body needs pain, inflammation and fever for injury healing. Tylenol can cause liver damage, destroy red blood cells and also cause kidney and gastrointestinal damage in dogs. Just 2 tablets can be toxic to a 50-pound dog. Signs of toxicity include trouble breathing, weakness and lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling of the face, odd behaviors, difficulty walking, jaundice and even death. There are 7 reasons not to give your dog Tylenol. Even small amounts are toxic. It’s over the counter and may react with other medications without vet/pharmacist warnings. It doesn’t manage inflammation. It’s for human use only and not approved for animals by FDA. Tylenol cold medications with xylitol can harm dogs. Dosing a dog with human drug can be dangerous. Your dog can’t tell if it’s bothering him and by the time you see signs it might be too late. In general, it’s a bad idea to use human pain medications for dogs. If you’ve read this far, you’ve learned that over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol can harm dogs. There are NSAIDs approved for use in dogs but they have side effects like gastritis or peptic ulcers, vomiting with or without blood, black stool or blood in the stool, loss of appetite and lethargy. There isn’t a single magic pill to manage pain in dogs or people.Managing osteoarthritis pain in dogs requires a multifaceted approach. This includes pain relief, joint supplements, and joint-supporting foods such as bone broth, chicken feet, and trachea. A proper whole food diet and regular exercise are also crucial components of this treatment plan.
How Can I Ease My Dog’s Pain At Home? Here are some natural pain relief methods you can try: Hot And Cold Therapy: If your dog has an injury, applying heat or cold can help manage pain by increasing or reducing blood flow as needed. Use a hot compress, a heating pad, or ice on the injury site. Always monitor the temperature to ensure it’s not too hot or too cold, and replenish as necessary. CBD Oil: CBD oil is beneficial for both injuries and ongoing joint pain or arthritis. Studies indicate that full-spectrum CBD oil can alleviate pain without the risks or side effects associated with Tylenol. CBD is a natural anti-inflammatory that stimulates the immune system to reduce inflammation. Administer 1000 mg strength full-spectrum CBD oil, giving 1 dropper daily, either directly into your dog’s mouth or mixed with food. If needed, you can adjust the dosage to better control pain. Turmeric: Turmeric is an excellent choice for reducing inflammation and easing pain and stiffness from arthritis or chronic pain. Its active component, curcumin, possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, and aids in wound healing. You can use capsules or organic turmeric powder (purchased from a health store, not the grocery store variety). Administer 1/8 to 1/4 tsp per day per 10 lbs of your dog’s weight, mixed into his food. Many people prepare golden paste and administer it to their dogs in this form. For additional natural pain relief methods for your dog, explore more by clicking on the link below. With numerous safe options available for pain relief in dogs, there’s no need to risk administering Tylenol. References: Formukong, EA, et al. Analgesic and antiinflammatory activity of constituents of Cannabis sativa L. Inflammation. 1988 Aug;12(4):361-71. Reichling, J, et al. Dietary support with Boswellia resin in canine inflammatory joint and spinal disease. Schweiz Arch Tierheilkd. 2004 Feb;146(2):71-9.
