Giving a dog aspirin is acceptable if your pet is experiencing pain, fever, or inflammation. Aspirin will provide your pet with relief to his chronic pain or discomfort, but it should be given to dogs with extreme caution. Dogs can't tolerate large amounts of aspirin in the body. Aspirin should also never be given to young puppies, because they cannot process it. Dosage amounts are very important when giving an animal aspirin. An overdose of aspirin can quickly lead to serious complications, and death. The safe amount of aspirin to give to your pet will depend on his size and weight. Always contact a veterinarian before administering aspirin to your pet.
About Aspirin
Aspirin is an anti-inflammatory pain reliever that can be used for various different types of pain. Aspirin is commonly given to dogs with joint pain or arthritis, because it reduces swelling and pain. There are other forms of pain that may be treated with aspirin, but arthritis is the most common. In addition to reducing pain and swelling, aspirin can also calm a fever. Giving your pet the correct amount of aspirin will make him feel better, but it should not be done on a regular basis. Dogs should only be given aspirin when they really need it, and not every time they are feeling slightly ill.
Pet owners should administer aspirin with extreme caution, because large doses of aspirin can prove to be toxic for a dog. Smaller breeds of dogs especially are more prone to overdosing on aspirin. Always give your dog aspirin with food, and never on an empty stomach. This can cause stomach bleeding and ulcers, and may also cause your pet to vomit.
Aspirin and Young Puppies
Aspirin, even in the smallest dosages, can be extremely poisonous to puppies. Puppies do not have the necessary enzymes required for breaking down and processing aspirin, and should never be given the pain reliever. Administering aspirin to a puppy can be a lethal mistake, so pet owners should keep the aspirin away from young dogs.
Aspirin Can Lead to Stomach Problems
Dogs can develop stomach ulcers from the use of aspirin. Aspirin is known for causing gastrointestinal upset and ulcers in dogs, and should never be given on an empty stomach. Pet owners should pay close attention to their pet as they are administering aspirin, and look for any signs of stomach upset. If your pet does develop gastrointestinal complications of ulcers from aspirin, do not continue to administer the pain reliever.
Dosage Amounts and Aspirin
Giving the proper dose is very important when administering a dog aspirin. As mentioned earlier, aspirin can be extremely toxic and poisonous to dogs when given in large amounts. Smaller dogs are more sensitive to the effects of aspirin, and should only be given very small amounts. Even a baby aspirin can kill a small dog, so it is crucial for pet owners to contact their veterinarian concerning the correct dosage amounts.