💊 Vet’s 2025 Guide to Pain Relievers for Dogs and Cats: NSAID Facts & What Every Pet Owner Should Know 🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Your pet limps into the kitchen or hesitates to jump on the couch—and your first instinct is to help. Many owners reach for the medicine cabinet, thinking a quick dose of ibuprofen or aspirin might ease the pain. But STOP. 🛑 Human pain relievers can be dangerous, even deadly, for pets. 🐶🐱

This 2025 guide explains how NSAIDs work, why cats and dogs react differently than humans, and what to safely do if your pet is in pain. 💡

🧪 What Are NSAIDs?

NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are used to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. Common over-the-counter NSAIDs for humans include:

• Aspirin (Bayer, Bufferin)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

Veterinarians also prescribe NSAIDs specifically formulated for animals to treat osteoarthritis, post-surgical pain, and injuries. 🐾

🦴 NSAIDs Work By:

• Blocking the enzyme COX (cyclooxygenase), which produces pain-causing prostaglandins
• Reducing swelling and pain but also interfering with protective functions in the stomach, kidneys, and liver

⚠️ Why Human NSAIDs Are Dangerous for Pets

Dogs and cats metabolize drugs differently than people. Giving a human NSAID to a pet can lead to:

• 😵 Toxic blood levels
• 🩸 Gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers
• 🚱 Kidney or liver failure
• ☠️ Even death, in some cases

Cats are especially vulnerable. They cannot break down NSAIDs effectively and may suffer fatal side effects from even a small dose. ❌

🚫 Acetaminophen (Tylenol): The Most Dangerous Mistake

Acetaminophen is NOT an NSAID—it has minimal anti-inflammatory effects and is extremely toxic to pets, especially cats. 🐱

• 🐕 Dogs: May suffer liver failure at high doses
• 🐱 Cats: Even one pill can cause red blood cell destruction and death

💊 FDA-Approved NSAIDs for Dogs and Cats

These medications are specifically formulated and tested for pets. Always use NSAIDs prescribed by your vet—never give over-the-counter human versions. 🔒

✅ NSAIDs for Dogs:

• RIMADYL (carprofen)
• DERAMAXX (deracoxib)
• PREVICOX (firocoxib)
• GALLIPRANT (grapiprant)
• METACAM (meloxicam)
• ONSIOR (robenacoxib – 3-day max)

✅ NSAIDs for Cats:

• ONSIOR – oral or injection, up to 3 days
• Meloxicam – injectable, one-time dose only

No NSAID is approved for long-term use in cats.

🧬 How NSAIDs Can Harm the Body

1. 🍽️ Digestive Tract:

• Can cause ulcers or holes in the stomach and intestines
• Risk increases with steroids or combining multiple NSAIDs

2. 💧 Kidneys:

• NSAIDs reduce blood flow to the kidneys—dangerous during dehydration, anesthesia, or in senior pets

3. 🩸 Liver:

• Overdose = dose-dependent liver damage
• Even normal doses can cause rare, unpredictable liver failure

⚠️ Most reactions occur within the first 3 weeks of use.

🩺 Signs of NSAID Toxicity to Watch For

Stop the medication and contact your vet immediately if you see:

• 🤢 Vomiting or diarrhea
• 🍽️ Loss of appetite
• 😴 Lethargy or behavior changes
• 🩸 Bloody or tarry stool
• 🟡 Yellowing of gums or eyes (jaundice)

📋 What to Discuss With Your Vet

Before starting an NSAID, ask your vet:

• 📌 What’s the medication being used for?
• 📅 How long will my pet need it?
• 🔬 Should we check bloodwork before starting?
• 📈 What are safe doses and side effect signs?

🧾 Never Mix Meds Without Vet Approval

Never combine:

• ⚠️ Two different NSAIDs
• ⚠️ An NSAID + a steroid (like prednisone)

This can increase GI damage risk dramatically. ❗

🧪 Long-Term NSAID Use

For dogs with chronic osteoarthritis, long-term NSAID use can improve comfort and mobility. Your vet will recommend:

• 💉 Blood tests before starting and every few months
• 🔽 Using the lowest effective dose
• 📈 Monitoring for subtle behavior changes

📦 Store Medications Safely

Keep all medications locked away—pets are notorious for opening bags or chewing through bottles. Accidental ingestion is a common veterinary emergency. 🚨

📱 Ask A Vet Can Help

If your pet is limping or you're unsure what pain relief is safe, visit AskAVet.com. We provide:

• 💬 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians
• 🧾 Medication reviews and safe use advice
• 📲 The Ask A Vet app with custom alerts and record-keeping

📲 Download the Ask A Vet App

Never second-guess a medication again. Track NSAID use, receive reminders, and connect with a vet anytime—wherever you are. 🐶📱

🎯 Final Thoughts

When it comes to pet pain relief, more is not better. Smarter is better. 💡 NSAIDs are life-changing when used correctly—but they’re dangerous when misused.

Always talk to your veterinarian before giving any medication. And remember: human painkillers can be lethal to pets. ❌

Be like Tinker Bell’s owner—check with your vet, not your medicine cabinet. 🐾💊