Dog Pain Relievers

How many of us really want to know - what can I give my dog for pain? I mean, if you are a pet owner as long as I have been, you have seen enough of your beloved pet suffer to know you don't want them (and yourself) to go through that again. What are some of the most effective dog pain relievers we can use today?

Understand that human pain medications should never be used on animals. You may think it's harmless enough and indeed, some sites have said using small amounts of these pain relief medicines will not do your pet any damage-- but why even risk it? Tylenol, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Advil, etc. contain substances that are toxic to dogs and may even be lethal if your dog is experiencing some sort of sickness or ailment already.

Find out what it is exactly that your pet is suffering from. Many times, the problem is arthritis. Arthritis is when the joints of the dog is worn out and is usually brought on because of age-although sometimes certain sicknesses aggravate the canine's situation. Arthritis can also be caused by injury of even a minor type, in a dog of any age.

If arthritis is the reason, the best thing you can do is manage your dog's diet and exercise well. Control his calorie intake because being overweight will put added stress on the joints that he can very well do without. Give him fresh fruits and vegetables daily and engage him in exercise that will not put too much pressure on the joints like Frisbee. Try light walking or swimming instead.

Your vet can prescribe your pet an NSAID or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drug to help ease the pain. Some examples of NSAIDs usually administered are Rimadyl, Etogesic, Novox and Zubrin. If the dog is in intense pain, narcotics are sometimes used-but only for a brief period of time. You must never attempt to administer any drug or medication without the veterinarian's consent-even if it is a mild human pain relief medication.

All conventional dog pain medications can have side effects. Some side effects can be potentially very serious. For this reason, many pet owners are turning to natural alternatives.

There are many natural herbal treatments that you can also use to alleviate your dog's suffering. These are safe and have been reported to be effective when used consistently over time. They can be taken together with therapy or whatever treatment that your pet is currently on, or instead of the conventional dog pain relievers.

Of course, if all else fails you can always use the good ol' massage to ease the tension and pain of your pet. A massage also stimulates blood flow which releases stress that can be the cause of the discomfort of the canine. For pain due to swelling, apply an ice pack on the inflammation for about 20 minutes, every other hour or so.

So know you have the right answers when people ask you-- what can I give my dog for pain? Dog pain relievers don't have to be expensive to be effective. Mix in your tender loving care in there and watch a happy and healthy dog emerge in no time at all.

- compiled by Brigitte Smith