Can you give dogs ibuprofen? No, here's what to give your dog instead – Insider

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It’s okay to give your dog certain human drugs, like Benadryl, but many medications may be dangerous for your pooch, including ibuprofen. 
Ibuprofen is not safe for dogs and can lead to stomach or kidney damage, or even death in some cases. 
If your dog gets injured or has aches and pains, your vet can offer safer medical options, and you can try several at-home methods as well.
Here’s why you can’t give your dog ibuprofen and what you can do instead to help an achy pup.
You should never give your dog ibuprofen. The medicine can cause damage to your dog’s stomach and kidneys, says Alison Meindl, DVM, a veterinarian, and professor at Colorado State University.
This is because ibuprofen blocks the activity of an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). Blocking this enzyme reduces inflammation, but it also stymies the blood flow to your stomach and kidneys. And while this isn’t a big deal for humans, it can harm your dog. 
Dogs are more likely to get ibuprofen poisoning than humans for three reasons:
“Plainly, humans can tolerate a much larger dose than can our pets,” says Travis Arndt, DVM, Director of the Animal Medical Center of Mid-America.
Too much ibuprofen can have dangerous effects for your dog including stomach ulcers, kidney damage, or seizures, Meindl says.
“As little as 1,200 mg of ibuprofen could be fatal to a small dog,” says Arndt. Drugs like Advil or Motrin usually contain 200 mg per pill, or 400 mg in extra strength caplets, meaning just three to six pills can be deadly.
If your dog accidentally ingests ibuprofen, you should follow these steps:
Your vet or poison control may tell you to induce vomiting in your dog, depending on when they took the medication. “If the ingestion is not noticed within 30-40 minutes of the pet swallowing the medication, it may be too late to induce vomiting,” Arndt says.
“Don’t wait for symptoms before you contact your veterinarian, as quick treatment of an overdose is important,” Meindl says.
Ibuprofen poisoning can be extremely dangerous  and could cause problems like:
Stomach ulcers, which may cause symptoms like:
Kidney damage, which may cause symptoms including:
There are many other NSAIDs specifically formulated for dogs that are much safer than ibuprofen and can provide good pain control, Meindl says.
The FDA has approved NSAID medications like carprofen and meloxicam for dogs, though they 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 health needs. “Your veterinarian can talk with you about the best option(s) for your individual dog,” Meindl says.
There are also some at-home alternatives to pain medication that you can try with your dog. Meindl recommends a few options:
“You should have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian before starting any of these treatments in order to make sure that the treatment is appropriate for the injury,” Meindl says.
Ibuprofen can be dangerous to dogs and may put them at risk for organ damage or even death. Always keep medication out of reach of pets and contact your vet or poison control if you think your dog may have ingested something.
“If you suspect your pet is in pain, reach out to your veterinarian for an appointment and advice as soon as possible,” Arndt says. Your vet may be able to find a good pain treatment regimen that’s safe for your pup.

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