Why is Ibuprofen dangerous for dogs? Here are safer alternatives

Do not give your dog ibuprofen because it is toxic to dogs.

Dogs are more likely than humans to get side effects from ibuprofen because ibuprofen has a narrow margin of safety in dogs and can be absorbed more quickly, levels can be higher in the blood, and it can last for longer.

A dose as small as 200mg (one tablet) of ibuprofen may be toxic to small dogs and damage the stomach lining or kidneys. Larger dosages can cause ulcers, seizures, coma, or death. Even though humans usually tolerate ibuprofen well, this is not the case for dogs.

Ibuprofen is toxic to dogs because it blocks an enzyme called cyclooxygenase that, in addition to reducing inflammation, also has roles in promoting blood flow through the kidneys and producing protective prostaglandins for the mucosal lining of the stomach. Dogs are much more sensitive to the effects of ibuprofen.

What are some alternatives to ibuprofen?

The FDA has approved several other NSAIDs for dogs, including meloxicam, that are much safer than ibuprofen when given in the right dosage. These are only available with a prescription from your vet.

There may also be non-NSAID drugs that can help relieve pain, depending on your dog’s injury or the type of pain they are suffering from. Talk to your vet about the best options.

At home, you can help relieve pain in your dog by icing your dog’s area of pain with a bag of frozen vegetables or using an ice pack covered in a thin towel. Try to do this for about five minutes at a time.

Long-standing injuries usually respond better to heat, but be careful not to apply too much heat. A good way to control the heat is to microwave a wet washcloth until it is warm to the touch, put it in a plastic bag, then apply it to the affected area for five minutes.

Gentle massage can help with aches as well.

What can I do if my dog has accidentally eaten ibuprofen?

Dogs are the most common pets to be poisoned by ibuprofen – usually because if they find a bottle, they tend to chew it open, and eat everything inside. Some ibuprofen tablets have a sugar coating, which makes them especially attractive to dogs. There have also been instances of people mistakenly given their dog ibuprofen in the belief that it was safer than aspirin.

If your dog accidentally ingests ibuprofen, contact your vet immediately, don’t wait for symptoms to develop. The best course of action depends on how old your dog is, other health conditions, and how much ibuprofen your dog ate.

Call Animal Poison Control at (888)-426-4435 or visit their website if you can't get hold of your vet. You can read Animal Poison Control's information about the dangers of ibuprofen for dogs, cats, and ferrets here.

Your vet or Animal Poison Control may advise you to induce vomiting in your dog, especially if your dog has only recently swallowed the ibuprofen. If it has been more than two hours since your dog has taken ibuprofen, it may be too late to induce vomiting.

Your vet should also give activated charcoal every 6 to 8 hours for 24 hours. Other treatments should also be given directed at managing likely complications of an ibuprofen overdose, for example, H2 blockers for gastrointestinal bleeding or intravenous fluids for kidney failure.

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What are the symptoms of ibuprofen poisoning in dogs?

At a lower dosage, no outward symptoms may be apparent, but the dog may develop gastric ulcers, intestinal inflammation, or kidney failure.

For acute overdosages, symptoms vary depending on the amount ingested but may include:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Abdominal pain
• Anorexia (weight loss)
• Blood in the vomit
• Blood in the stools or dark or tarry stools
• Excessive urination
• Excessive thirst
• Lack of urination
• Uremia (toxins in the blood)
• Acute renal failure
• Seizures
• Clumsiness/loss of balance
• Coma
• Shock
• Death.