The Ultimate Guide To Aspirin Dosage For Dogs | Getting Started

For us pet parents, it can be quite difficult for us to see our fur babies suffering from pain. We want our fur babies to feel alright as soon as possible, so we reach for over-the-counter human medicine in hopes that it will alleviate their pain. If you are also in the habit of reaching for that aspirin bottle every time your beloved pooch is in pain, then Stop. Human pain medications like aspirins may be harming rather than helping your dog.

This is because human pain medications contain chemical compounds that may benefit us but harm our dog’s biological system. Pain medicines meant for humans can even be fatal for our dogs if not administered properly. Thus if your dog is in pain, it is always best to talk to your vet first. 

But if you do have the go-ahead from your vet, use this article as a complete guide on aspirin dosage for dogs. We will tell you what is the right dosage of aspirin for dogs based on their size and weight, how often it can be administered, any risks to be aware of, and when it’s best to skip the aspirin for dogs altogether and head straight to the vet.

Can I Give My Dog Aspirin?

Yes, dogs can be given aspirin under very specific circumstances and only with a veterinarian’s guidance. However, it is not generally recommended as a long-term or over-the-counter solution due to the risk of side effects and toxicity.

When Can You Give A Dog Aspirin?

Vets usually prescribe aspirin dosage for dogs suffering from medical conditions like musculoskeletal inflammation or osteoarthritis. Since aspirin is an anti-inflammatory drug, it helps to reduce inflammation and provide relief to dogs. Aspirin also has blood thinning properties which is why in rare circumstances it is prescribed to dogs suffering from blood clotting diseases.

Aspirin is one of the most common pain medications. As a result, it is available in the market in various formats like plain aspirin, buffered aspirin, baby aspirin and enteric-coated aspirin. Vets generally suggest using baby aspirin for dogs.

This is because baby aspirins contain a lower amount of the active ingredient acetylsalicylic acid. Therefore, it is less likely to irritate your dog’s stomach and intestines or cause other side effects. If you have a small dog like a chihuahua or a Shi Tzu, you should ask your vet to provide you with a low dose aspirin for dogs dosage chart.

Benefits And Uses Of Aspirin For Dogs

When managing inflammation, pain, and blood clots, aspirin dosage for dogs needs to be maintained. Here are a few benefits of aspirin for dogs. 

1. Relief of Mild to Moderate Pain

Temporary pain for dogs, be it an injury, minor surgery, or a dentistry, can benefit from the analgesic properties of aspirin. It thus reassures your dog of comfort during recovery.

Examples could be:

• Post-operative pain
• Very small cuts or scrapes
• Stiffness of muscles after exercise

2. Inflammation Reduction

One of the basic uses of aspirin is to permit the decrease of swelling and inflammation in tissues. This is particularly worthwhile for arthritic, joint-pain, or muscle-strain dogs.

Examples include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Pain due to hip dysplasia
• Soft tissue injuries

3. Increased Mobility for Arthritic

The intermittent use of aspirin can increase the activity and mobility of dogs with chronic joint disease. Inhibition of joint swelling can provide comfort for walking and play, especially in the elderly.

4. Fever Reduction (An Antipyretic)

It could also reduce fever in dogs so that their body can recover from inflammation or infection, but this should never be attempted without finding out the reason for the fever.

5. Blood Thinning For Certain Cardiac Conditions

Sometimes, the vet prescribes aspirin as a mild blood-thinning agent for dogs with blood clotting disorders or heart conditions like thromboembolic disease. It stops clotting, just like in some human patients with heart conditions.

6. Cheap and Available

Aspirin is cheap and easily available compared to certain prescription canine NSAIDs, so it is a temporary solution in some cases, especially where access to pet-specific medication is not an option.

Side Effects Of Aspirin For Dogs

Aspirin is a human pain medication and, therefore, not safe at all for dogs. However, dogs with arthritis or other joint issues can be given aspirin in small doses or as prescribed by the vet. 

But even when aspirin for dogs dosage is being administered according to a vet’s prescription, it can still cause some side effects in dogs. These include the following – 

• Vomiting 
• Vomiting of blood
• Loss of appetite
• Black color stool
• Diarrhea 
• Internal bleeding 
• Lethargy
• Mucosal erosion
• Ulceration

If you notice your dog exhibiting the above symptoms, stop giving them aspirin and contact your vet. Apart from side effects, it is also important for you to know the symptoms of aspirin toxicity. Some of the symptoms can be the same as the side effects of aspirin, so be vigilant.

If your dog has swallowed a large dosage of aspirin by mistake or if you have been giving aspirin to your dog daily, then it can lead to aspirin toxicity, which can be fatal for your dog. The symptoms of aspirin toxicity are as follows: 

• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Dehydration
• Severe vomiting
• Vomiting blood
• Stomach pain
• Severe Diarrhea 
• Black stool
• Rectal bleeding
• High fever
• Rapid breathing 
• Pale gums
• Dizziness
• Loss of balance 
• Loss of consciousness

If you see any of the symptoms mentioned in the list here, you should take your dog to the vet’s clinic immediately. Depending on the condition your dog is in, you may need to make your dog throw up at home.

Signs And Symptoms For Aspirin Overdose

As a dog parent, you must be aware of the differences between the signs and symptoms of aspirin overdose and the side effects of giving aspirin to a dog. If you have given your dog too much aspirin, you might witness the following symptoms.

• Coma
• Hemorrhage (when a blood vessel ruptures and causes blood loss)
• Vomiting
• Lathergy
• Diarrhea
• Death
• Loss of appetite
• Seizure

This is not just in the case of aspirin, but you should keep an eye on your pup when prescribed new medicines. Notice if they have some negative effects or how they react to it.

Remember that if your dog is injured, relieving them of the pain is not the only objective here. The aim should be healing them. Giving them aspirin in these cases is not the best solution, as it will reduce the healing ability of your dog. 

A dog requires prostaglandin for healing from any injury, and aspirin pauses the production. This lipid-like hormone is part of a dog’s natural healing process. Also, giving your dog aspirin for a long period tends to cause joint issues.

When Should Dogs Not Be Given Aspirin?

Pregnant and nursing dogs, as well as dogs with underlying health issues should not be given aspirin in any form. This includes dogs who are – 

• Suffering from bleeding complication diseases or who have an internal ulcer
• Have liver and kidney disease
• Have recently had an injury or had a surgery 
• Have vitamin K deficiency 
• Have Von Willebrands’ disease

Aspirin should also not be given in combination with other NSAIDs or cortisone medications as it can lead to serious side effects. So always tell your vet what other medication your dog is on when they are prescribing aspirin dosage for dogs. 

How Much Aspirin Should I Give To My Dog?

So, at this point, you probably want to know the correct aspirin dosage for dogs. The aspirin for dogs dosage depends on a few factors, including:

• Your dog’s weight – For most dogs, the typical dosage is 5 to 10 milligrams of aspirin per pound of body weight, given two to three times a day. For example, a 50-pound dog could take one full-strength aspirin (325 mg) twice or thrice daily.

• The reason for giving the aspirin – Higher dosages may be recommended for treating pain from arthritis or an injury. Lower dosages are usually sufficient for reducing fever or inflammation. Talking to your vet about the appropriate dosage for your dog’s condition is best.

If you don’t know the correct aspirin dosage for dogs, you can use an aspirin dosage calculator for dogs that is available online. However, it is better to ask your vet to help you calculate your dog’s aspirin dosage. 

Your vet can recommend the proper aspirin dosage based on your pet’s weight, current health condition, and medical history. However, please note that aspirin is only a short-term pain management solution for dogs. It should not be given to dogs for more than 5 days in a row.

When To Call Your Vet?

If you see your dog suffering and in pain, then the first thing that you should do is make an appointment with your vet. 

Even if you are an experienced pet parent, you should still consult your vet before self-medicating your dog with aspirin, even baby aspirin. Even though dogs are great at hiding their pain, there are always signs, such as, 

• Trouble getting around
• Limping 
• Yelping or crying out
• Restlessness
• Decreased appetite
• Not interacting with the family
• Constant licking and biting at a certain area of the body
• Growling and snapping at certain parts on the body

Aspirin Dosage Chart For Dogs

Check out the aspirin for dogs dosage chart to know the proper aspirin dosage for dogs by weight: 

Note: This chart gives you a general idea about aspirin dosage for dogs by weight. For the right dosage, ask your vet.

What Are The Alternatives For Aspirin For Dogs?

Aspirin tablets made for humans usually have an extra coating called the enteric coating. This coating makes the medicine extra gentle on the human stomach. However, this coating makes the tablet dissolve slowly in a dog’s stomach, making them ineffective. 

So, giving your dog chewable tablets with dog-friendly flavors is always the best choice. If you are a first-time pet parent, ask your vet for recommendations. 

Before asking for aspirin dosage for dogs, you should know about the active ingredients that may interact with other medications. They are listed below; 

• Blood glucose-lowering agents 
• Heparin and oral anticoagulants
• Spironolactone and furosemide

Now, if your dog is prone to even a low-dosage aspirin and suffers from certain side effects, then your dog might do better with natural alternatives. 

• Dog CBD Products – If your dog suffers from joint pain and inflammation, then CBD works like magic. You can use dog-friendly CBD oils and edibles since they are organic, hemp-derived CBD, and human-grade.   

• Organic Turmeric – The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that turmeric is highly promoted for dogs to heal wounds and also have therapeutic benefits in conditions such as cardiovascular and arthritis. 

• Boswellia serrata – Also known as frankincense, boswellia serrata is a highly praised herb with properties that control inflammation and pain. 

Over-The-Counter Medication For Dogs

The first thing you need to understand is that human and dog doses are very different. So, it is important to administer the correct dosage to avoid any and all side effects. 

Secondly, when certain drugs are mixed together, the resulting interaction can be dangerous, so it is always advised that you consult your vet before giving your dog any type of over-the-counter medication. 

Thirdly, most OTC medications are Not meant to be safe for dogs. So, it is wrong to assume that these drugs are safe for your dogs. They can lead to toxic interactions. 

Our Final Thoughts on Aspirin Dosage for Dogs!

Aspirin is one of the most popular over-the-counter medications in most medicine cabinets. Although they are relatively safer for dogs, you should always ask your vet before adjusting the aspirin dosage for dogs. 

Even though there are certain long-term benefits of using NSAIDs like aspirin, you should still ask your vet beforehand so that you know it’s safer for your dog.

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