We all want our pet friends to be in the best health and physical state. But just like humans, dogs can get sick and go through pain. It is difficult to see your pet in pain when they can not even express their pain in words. In this situation, you just want to take away their pain and give them a painkiller, and it’s alright to give your dog medicine.
We know aspirin is good for pain but humans and dogs have different bodies and they need different doses. It is important to pay attention to how much aspirin you are giving to your dog because overdosing can cause potential risks and you don’t want to risk their health and add to their pain.
So, let’s dive in and find out about the dose of aspirin for dogs by their body weight – how much to give, how much is safe, how much is overdose, and when to possibly be concerned.
Aspirin
It is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pain reliever just like other NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, etc. It also functions as an anticoagulant and prevents the blood from clotting.
Aspirin inhibits the enzyme cyclooxygenase which produces prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins are the messenger molecules in the body that trigger various processes like inflammation that causes pain and fever. So, aspirin prevents the synthesis of prostaglandins in the body and helps with pain and fever.
Can You Give Aspirin To Dogs?
Yes, you can give your dog aspirin off-label but it is important to consult the vet before administering it. You should not do it without talking to your vet.
The bodies of humans and dogs are different and their mechanisms are different. The way humans take aspirin for headaches, fever, and pain, you should not give it to your pet without the consultation of a vet. The vet can tell how much aspirin is needed for your dog depending on their body weight and what is the best way to administer the medicine.
When To Give Aspirin To Your Dog?
Dogs in their best health are always active and eager to play. They are always in the mood to do fun activities, roam and run and can sometimes get themselves injured. In extreme cases, they can also experience an unfortunate incident like an accident just like humans, and need surgery. Any injury, accident, or surgery can result in joint pain, discomfort, post-surgery pain, fever, or inflammation. In these cases, you can give aspirin to your dog to reduce discomfort, relieve pain, decrease fever, treat inflammation, and reduce the chance of blood clotting.
How Much Aspirin For Dogs By Weight?
Aspirin works in dogs’ bodies the same way as humans, where it blocks the cells that regulate pain. You should be careful about the dose you give to your dogs. Your vet can tell you the dose of aspirin that your dog needs according to its weight.
The ideal recommended dosage of aspirin for dogs is 5-10 mg per pound of body weight There are two sizes of aspirin for dogs:
1: Adult aspirin of 325 mg
One adult aspirin is given to a dog with 40 pounds of body weight 2 times a day (every twelve hours)
2: Baby aspirin or low-dose aspirin of 81 mg
One low-dose aspirin is given to a dog with 10 pounds of body weight 2 times a day (every twelve hours.)
The general guidelines regarding the dose of aspirin for dogs by weight and breed are:
| Aspirin Dosage | Weight of Dog (lb) | Breed of Dog |
|---|---|---|
| 25-50 mg or half baby aspirin | 0-5 | Pomeranian and Chihuahua |
| 50-100 or one baby aspirin | 5-10 | Boston Terrier and Pekingese |
| 100-200 mg or half adult aspirin | 10-20 | Highland Terrier and Welsh Corgi |
| 150-300 mg or half adult aspirin | 20-30 | Beagle and Cardigan Welsh Corgi |
| 200-400 mg or one adult aspirin | 30-40 | Vizsla and Samoyed |
| 250-500 mg or one adult aspirin | 40-50 | Irish Setter and Airedale Terrier |
| 300-600 mg or 1-2 adult aspirin | 50-60 | Labrador and Golden Retrievers, |
| 350-700 mg or 1-2 adult aspirin | 60-70 | Chow Chow, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Dalmatian |
| 400-800 mg or 2 adult aspirin | 70-80 | Cane Corso, Rottweiler and Akita |
| 450-900 mg or 1.5-2.5 adult aspirin | 80-90 | Chinook and German Shepherds |
| 500-1000 mg or 2-3 adult aspirin | 90-100+ | Great Dane and Bullmastiff |
Buffered Aspirin for Dogs
The buffered aspirin is a mixture of aspirin and antacid (calcium carbonate or aluminum hydroxide) which works best for dogs. The antacid helps in preventing acidity, and stomach problems and reduces the chances of heartburn or vomiting after taking the medicine. The dosage of regular and buffered aspirin is somehow similar but your vet can recommend the ideal dose for your dog.
Side Effects of Aspirin
The use of aspirin can cause a few adverse side effects such as:
- Nausea
- Upset Stomach
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Tar like stool
- Ulceration
- Blood Thinning
- Affects Kidney
- Skin irritation
- Decrease appetite
Overdose of Aspirin
Overdose of anything is not good for health. If you are not sure how much aspirin to give your dog and overdose your dog with the medicine, it can cause some troubling health problems. You should understand the difference between the side effects of a medicine and the signs of toxicity caused by overdosing on it. An overdose of aspirin can cause the symptoms:
- Lethargy
- Pale gums
- Excessive diarrhea
- Intestinal Hemorrhage
- Lack of appetite
- Depression
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Sometimes Death (yes! in extreme cases)
Contraindications of Aspirin For Dogs
It is necessary to have knowledge about the risks and contraindications of aspirin for dogs. You should be careful about your dog’s health if you want to give them an aspirin. You should not give your dogs aspirin if they are:
- Pregnant dogs
- Nursing dogs
- Bleeding in the body
- Bleeding ulcers
- Asthma Problems
- Kidney Disease
- Allergic to any medicine ingredient
Is Aspirin Safe For Dogs?
Yes, aspirin is safe for dogs if you give them after a veterinarian’s approval and follow their advice on the prescribed dose. The adverse reactions of aspirin in dogs are somewhat common and you should be aware of them before giving your dog aspirin and should consult a vet.
Alternatives To Aspirin
There are other options than aspirin that can also be given safely to dogs to relieve pain, fever, and inflammation. You can give your dog these alternatives like Carprofen, Deracoxib, Firocoxib, and Meloxicam.
Conclusion
You should give your dog the amount of aspirin prescribed by your vet. The general recommended dosage of aspirin for dogs is 5-10 mg per pound of body weight One adult aspirin of 325 mg can be given to a 40-pound dog 2 times a day and the low-dose baby aspirin of 81 mg can be given to a 10-pound dog 2 times a day.
