My dog has arthritis and limps. What safe OTC pain meds can I use?

There are no over the counter pain killers/anti inflammatories that are safe for dogs unfortunately, keep him rested as much as possible, if it doesn't get better within a couple days- take him to the vet in order to get it checked and treated.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Louis. Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give him. Many human ones like the one you listed above are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if taken. I would have him seen by his vet. The vet can prescribe a safe pain medication for you to give him as needed. I hope this helps!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Arthritis can happen in older dogs as you know. However, this is not the only condition that can cause lameness like that. I do not recommend using paracetamol without a veterinary evaluation. There are other arthritis supplements that you can start which would not hurt if this happens to not be due to arthritis and if it is, they can help a good amount. There are several joint supplements out there such as Cosequin and Dasuquin, among others. I would encourage you to start with that and if no improvement is observed, Rodger should be evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day! I hope this helps!

Dogs can experience pain from a variety of health conditions, including [osteoarthritis](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/arthritis-1/),[ dental disease](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/dental-disease/), [urinary tract infections](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/utis-in-dogs/) or traumatic injuries, among many others. While it is extremely difficult to see our four-legged friends in pain, there are no safe and effective over-the-counter medications for managing pain in dogs (or cats). Over the counter pain relievers for humans, such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol) and naproxen (Aleve) are all toxic to animals. Aspirin should also not be given to dogs because it causes significant irritation and potential ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract, and it inhibits a dog’s ability to clot blood. If you think that your dog is in pain, your best bet is to take him to your veterinarian. After performing a [physical exam](https://www.petcoach.co/article/what-does-your-veterinarian-look-for-during-a-physical-exam/), your veterinarian will be able to prescribe safe and effective medication. Only give pain medication to the pet for which it was prescribed due to risks with drug interactions, improper doses or contraindications with certain medical conditions. ### Elanco and the diagonal bar logo are trademarks of Elanco or its affiliates. Galliprant is a registered trademark of Aratana Therapeutics, Inc.

There is nothing OTC that can safely be given to your dog. Many OTC medications are toxic or can easily be overdosed. Additionally, our experts are legally prohibited from recommending medications in the absence of a physical exam and a VPCR (veterinarian-patient-client relationship). Restrict her activity for the rest of the night and tomorrow. A warm compress can be applied for 10-15 minutes. If the lameness persists or if she is extremely painful, have her physically examined by your veterinarian. Afterwards, an appropriate medication can be administered or dispensed. Never medicate a pet without the advice of your veterinarian.

Hi I am sorry to hear about Sophie. It may not seem that Sophie is in overt pain but in most situations when a dog is limping that is their way of showing they are in pain and uncomfortable she may be limping from arthritis and just some recent overuse of her leg, mild trauma (jumping off a couch or bed, slipping on floors, etc), or she could have a soft tissue injury like a ligament sprain/strain. Most of the human OTC anti inflammatory medications are not safe for dogs so I could not recommend that for her. At her age it would be best for her doctor to examine her so the reason for the limping can be identified and they can provide Sophie with the safest possible medication that will provide her pain relief.

Poor Willow! Unfortunately no, there are no safe effective over-the-counter pain medications for dogs. The best thing to do for her is minimize her activity and keep her quiet until she can get to the vet. If she needs help getting around, you can loop a towel under her tummy to use as a sling and take some of the weight off her legs. I would discourage even giving aspirin, as anything you give may interfere with the medications your vet may start tomorrow. If her pain level is excessive and you feel she can't wait that long, the next best thing would be to take her to the nearest emergency vet. I know it's hard to see our pets in pain! Hope she feels better soon.