There would be nothing easier or more inexpensive than giving pets certain common household human medicines, such as Tylenol or aspirin, when they are suspected to be in pain. However, do-it-yourself therapy for dogs is never safe. Virtually all drugs produce some side effects, depending on the dose, administration interval, and intrinsic patient factors such as species, breed, age, gender, physiological status (e.g., pregnancy, lactation), and possible pathological conditions, especially gastrointestinal, liver, and kidney diseases.
The fact that Tylenol and aspirin can be bought without a prescription from a physician or a veterinarian does not mean they are harmless. In fact, they can produce serious, sometimes even fatal, side effects in both humans and dogs. So, if you suspect that your dog is in pain, before giving him any over-the-counter medications you have in your medicine cabinet or can easily buy at a pharmacy, it is important to ask yourself several questions: Is my dog really in pain or does he have other health problems? Can dogs be given Tylenol or aspirin for pain? If so, after considering breed, age, gender, and health status, can my dog be given Tylenol or aspirin for pain? And what dose and dosing interval would be appropriate for him?
Talk to Your Veterinarian About the Use of Tylenol
Of course, all these questions can only be answered by a veterinarian. A visit or call to your veterinarian can not only answer these questions but also help you avoid the devastating consequences that might arise if you inconsiderately give your dog a human drug. First, remember that what is good for humans is not necessarily good for dogs. The way in which humans and dogs absorb, metabolize, and eliminate drugs from their bodies is different. That’s why the dose of a drug that is therapeutic for a human may be toxic to a pet.
One glaring example is the use of Tylenol in cats: cats lack an essential enzyme needed to metabolize Tylenol into a relatively non-toxic compound that is rapidly eliminated from the body through urine. Due to the lack of this enzyme, cats are particularly sensitive to the acute toxic effects of Tylenol, including cyanosis (blue discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes), facial swelling, anemia, and the presence of hemoglobin in the urine (chocolate-colored urine), along with jaundice. These acute effects result from the rupture of red blood cells caused by Tylenol and irreversible liver damage due to Tylenol’s toxic metabolites. The consequences in cats are often dramatic and fatal, even at the smallest doses of Tylenol.
Unlike cats, dogs do have the enzyme necessary to convert Tylenol and its metabolites into a relatively non-toxic compound, which is then eliminated through the urine. This is why dogs are less sensitive than cats to even small doses of Tylenol. In fact, some veterinarians prescribe acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve musculoskeletal pain in dogs due to its beneficial analgesic effects, minimal risk of bleeding, and minor gastrointestinal effects. However, using Tylenol in dogs without the supervision of a veterinarian is too hazardous and absolutely contraindicated: a relatively minor error in the dose or treatment duration can cause irreversible liver damage or even death unless intoxication is treated immediately.
Regarding aspirin, this drug was commonly used in the past to treat a variety of painful and inflammatory conditions in dogs (especially osteoarthritis). However, in recent years, its use has declined due to the introduction of safer and more effective products. The most common adverse effects related to the use of aspirin in dogs, even at therapeutic doses, include gastrointestinal issues (gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ulcers), bleeding disorders, and renal dysfunction. In fact, one of the most common causes of gastritis in dogs is the chronic use of certain medications called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with aspirin being the most well-known representative.
To avoid these side effects, the use of aspirin (preferably buffered or coated aspirin) should always be done under the supervision of a veterinarian. Additionally, it is important to remember that aspirin is contraindicated in various pathological conditions, such as active gastrointestinal diseases, renal or hepatic insufficiency or dysfunction, dehydration, hypotension, significant blood loss, and any type of suspected or confirmed coagulation disorder, as well as in dogs who need to undergo surgery (to prevent bleeding complications during surgery). Therefore, before giving aspirin to your dog, it is crucial to know his exact health condition. While the correct dose of aspirin can be beneficial for treating pain in a healthy adult dog, the same dose could cause harmful effects in vulnerable pets, such as puppies, senior dogs, or those with the medical conditions mentioned above.
From what has been discussed above, it is clear that it is not enough to simply ask, “Can Tylenol or aspirin be given to dogs?” It is also important to ask the more precise question: “Can Tylenol or aspirin be given to my dog?” In most cases, the answer would be “no, they cannot.” Nowadays, safer drugs with equal or even better analgesic effects than Tylenol or aspirin are available on the market, often in forms specifically designed for dogs. So, why take the risk? The money saved by using Tylenol or aspirin to treat pain in your dog surely does not compensate for the health, well-being, or life of your dog.
