Can I buy safe over-the-counter pain meds for my dog at Petco?

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.

Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that are safe for dogs. I would recommend discussing with your veterinarian if there is something you can switch him to that is more cost effective and still approved for use in dogs. You can also check into online pharmacies or box stores (such as Costco) that offer pet medications at a lower price.

Unfortunately I do not recommend giving any over the counter pain medications to dogs. While aspirin is available in some pet stores and technically can be given to dogs it can easily cause stomach upset and if Koda was recently given any kind of NSAID medication it could cause serious problems. It’s also not the best for pain! I would recommend calling your vet to see if they can refill the pain medication for Koda since she’s still sore. Sometimes a warm compress can also help with comfort.

Unfortunately there are no safe over the counter pain medications for dogs or cats. If the pain can be located other than in the chest or abdomen, you can cool the area to relieve some pain. If your dog has severe pain you should see an out of hours veterinarian for an exam and a prescription.

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!

Unfortunately there are no OTC pain medications you can give Reese. Many are toxic to dogs, and can be fatal if given. I'd take her into a vet now to get safe pain medication prescribed. Best of luck.

Hi there. No, unfortunately there are no over-the-counter pain medications that are safe for use in dogs. If his foot seems sore, your best bet will probably be to restrict his exercise so that he doesn't aggravate it further, and take him in to see your vet for an exam if the problem does not improve within the next 2-3 days, or if it seems to be getting worse in the meantime. If there is an actual open sore on his pad, you also need to make sure that he isn't licking or chewing at it, as this will make things worse - so place an e-collar (plastic cone) on him if needed to help prevent this.