Can You Give a Dog Advil? [No! But Here Are Some Natural Alternatives!]

You've noticed that your dog is limping around a bit and refusing to put weight on one of their paws. Maybe your dog has been whimpering and shies away from you when you try to touch a certain spot on their body. Your dog is clearly in pain. Can you give a dog Advil to improve their condition and provide pain relief?

 

Many pet parents are tempted to give their dog Advil and other seemingly harmless medication. After all, a doctor doesn't need to prescribe it to us for pain relief. Unfortunately, Advil doesn't work the same way it does on us when it comes to our dog's health. In fact, Advil can be downright deadly to dogs in certain doses. Let's find out why.

 

What Is Advil? 

Advil is a brand name for ibuprofen. It's an anti-inflammatory drug, often used to reduce fever and treat pain and inflammation. People will usually take Advil and other human NSAID pain medications to fight headaches, toothaches, back pains, arthritis, and menstrual cramps.

 

How Does Advil Work?

Advil provides pain relief by reducing the hormones that cause inflammation and pain in your body. It targets the area of discomfort when it senses that hormone-like compounds called prostaglandins are released. Your nerve endings then transmit a message within your body's nervous system, telling your brain where the pain is coming from. Advil prevents these injured cells from releasing more prostaglandin, reducing the discomfort you're experiencing.

 

 

 

 

Can You Give a Dog Advil?

The answer is: No! Sometimes we pet parents want to give our dogs instant relief when they are experiencing pain. We start digging through our cabinets for something to help and come across the Advil we used when we had that terrible headache.

 

However, dogs should never be given Advil or any type of ibuprofen or pain relievers unless a veterinarian has informed you to do so. Advil can be very dangerous, even fatal, to your dog.

 

 

What happens if a Dog Ingests Advil?

If dogs ingest Advil or other variations of ibuprofen, the drug can become toxic. Dogs can experience poisoning when they take as little as 200 mg of Advil.

 

The most common symptom of a dog taking too much Advil is toxic effects on the gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or liver. This can happen in as little as 12 hours, leading to bleeding stomach ulcers, kidney failure, and even death.

 

Here are early signs that your dog has ingested Advil:

 

• Lethargy
• Refusing to eat
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Black, tarry stool
• More frequent urination
• Appearing dehydrated

 

What Should I Do if My Dog Eats Advil?

If you suspect that your dog has ingested Advil or other pain medication, contact a veterinarian immediately before the symptoms become serious and your dog experiences organ failure or worse. Vets will diagnose ibuprofen toxicity based on a physical exam and blood tests. Your dog's blood tests may reveal anemia due to bleeding ulcers or kidney damage.

 

From there, the vet will provide your dog with a variety of treatments depending on the dose your dog took. This could include hospitalization and intravenous fluids for a few days. Your dog may need a blood transfusion if they have lost too much blood. Your vet will also give them medication that improves their stomach condition.

Also, here is a bonus information, CBD wellness dog treats supports Endocannabinoid System of dogs. So, in case you want to boost endocannabinoid system, these treats are helpful

 

How to Avoid Advil Overdose in Dogs

The best way to keep your dog safe from Advil is to not give your dog Advil or other human medications unless directed by your veterinarian. Keep Advil in hard-to-reach spots, like a locked cabinet or drawer. Never leave medication lying around in your home, especially if you have a pet or child that easily gets into things. Even a bottle sitting on your counter could result in a life-threatening overdose if left unattended.

 

 

 

 

Always keep Advil and other human medications inside the bottle they came in, making sure the cap is tightly on. These child-proof caps will ensure that the pills won't spill out on the floor if the bottle is knocked over. But remember that your dog may be able to bite open the bottle, hence why you should store it away at all times.

 

 

What Are Safe Advil Alternatives for Dogs?

If your dog is feeling achy or experiencing discomfort, there are luckily some safe and holistic alternatives to Advil that will improve your dog's health and provide pain relief. You should always take your dog to the vet if they are sick or injured. But here are some safe and natural ways you can comfort your dog while you await the visit.

 

Fish Oil

This is a popular health supplement that can significantly reduce your dog's joint pain. Fish oil is a great source of omega-3 essential fatty acids that control inflammation. Add fish oil to your dog's meals throughout the day to provide some pain relief.

 

Turmeric

Many plants and herbs have natural anti-inflammatory effects and help reduce your dog's discomfort better than pain medications for humans. One of those is Tumeric. Studies show that turmeric is an antioxidant that slows down degenerative processes, helping repair your dog's body.

 

You can incorporate turmeric root into your dog's food by creating a "golden paste."

 

You'll need:

 

• 1/2 cup organic turmeric powder
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup organic MCT oil (or coconut oil)

 

Mix the turmeric with the water in a pan. Stir this liquid on low heat for about seven to 10 minutes. It will end up a thick paste (but add more water if it's too thick). Once the paste is thick enough, add pepper and oil, stirring thoroughly. Allow the mixture to cool, and then store it in the fridge.

 

Rest

Provide your dog with a comfortable area to feel secure and cozy. Put them in a quiet room with dimmed lighting. Make sure they have a soft bed and plenty of blankets (maybe even some heated ones). Give them some space and allow them to sleep. Sometimes a good, long rest can greatly improve your dog's pain and condition.

 

Dog Massage

Your dog loves being pet. So why not give them a dog massage that purposefully focuses on problem areas that need some soothing? Gently massage your dog's ears, working your way to different spots on their body. Switch between scratches and long strokes, seeing what your dog responds to best. If your dog seems uncomfortable or shrinks away from your hand, they are probably in too much pain to be touched.

 

Heat Pad or Ice Pack

Just like us, these two easy things can significantly improve your dog's discomfort. But it's important to know which one to use. Use an ice pack to reduce swelling and inflammation. You also want to stick to ice when dealing with a new injury. If your dog has arthritis pain or other ongoing aches and chronic pain conditions, a heating pad can provide a lot of comfort.

 

Hemp Seed Oil

This is often considered a superfood due to its many health benefits. Hemp seed oil comes from the hemp plant's seeds, meaning it's a bit different from CBD oil. Thanks to an abundance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, hemp seed oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory. This greatly helps with joint pain and discomfort.

 

CBD Products

CBD is a natural compound found in the hemp plant. It interacts with the receptors in your dog's endocannabinoid system, which controls their overall well-being and balance. Some of these receptors are found in the nervous system and digestive system. This means that CBD will naturally improve your dog's physical discomfort and reduce sickness side effects.

 

CBD should be given to your dog consistently, about once every eight hours (or twice a day). The more often your dog takes CBD, the more impactful the benefits become. These benefits include reduced swelling, improved skin conditions, and a calmer, happier disposition.

 

There are several CBD products that you can give to your dog in place of Advil. Let's take a look at them.

 

 

 

 

CBD Oil

CBD oil for dogs can be dropped directly into your dog's mouth or mixed in with their food. It has virtually no flavor, so most dogs won't know it's even there. At HolistaPet, we also have CBD treats with flavors and textures your dog will love.

 

CBD Capsules

These capsules come predosed and are easy to give to your dog. You can give it to your dog directly or hide it in their favorite snack or food.

 

CBD Dog Treats

At Holistapet, we offer several CBD dog treats to support all of your dog's health and wellness needs. Not just limited to providing relief from discomfort, our treats are delicious, crunchy snacks that will have them jumping around in no time.

 

Holistapet's CBD dog treats include three varieties:

 

• Joint & Mobility Care
• Heart & Immune Care
• Calming Relief

 

CBD Soft Chews

These soft chews are easy to consume for younger and older dogs with dental issues. Packed with all-natural flavor and potent CBD, your dog will be free of discomfort and finally at ease with CBD soft chews.

 

Holistapet's CBD soft chews include two varieties:

 

• CBD Mobility Chews for Dogs
• CBD Calming Chews for Dogs

 

 

Final Thoughts - Can You Give a Dog Advil?

Never give your dog Advil. Pharmacists didn't make this and other pain medications with a dog's pain in mind. Even a small dose can leave your dog feeling really sick, leading to vomiting and dehydration. But even seemingly safe doses can have toxic symptoms on your dog, including organ failure, internal bleeding, and death.

 

While Advil is perfect for us, human pain medications are not a good solution for dogs experiencing discomfort and aches. Fortunately, there are safe alternatives to give a dog for pain. You can give your dog a quiet place to rest, provide them with a heat or ice pack, or give them some CBD products like CBD oil, capsules, or treats. So head on over to our shop and give your dog some CBD products to improve their overall health!